Halloween 2026: What Day Is Halloween and What Time Does Trick-or-Treating Start?

Halloween 2026 is Saturday, Oct. 31, and trick-or-treating usually starts between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. There is no single nationwide start time. Each city or town sets its own hours, and the schedules we checked on Oct. 22, 2026, run from about 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Schedules can change, so confirm yours with your local government.

What day is Halloween 2026?

Halloween falls on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2026, according to The Old Farmer’s Almanac. The date is the same everywhere, and every schedule in the table below uses it. For the holiday’s date in other years, see when is Halloween, or plan the month with the October 2026 printable calendar.

What time does trick-or-treating start in 2026?

A common window is 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., but hours depend on the community. Among the examples below, the earliest start is 5 p.m. in Marion, Indiana, and the latest start is 6 p.m. Clocks fall back at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, hours after trick-or-treating ends; see when daylight saving time ends. For sunset and dark times by city, read our Halloween sunset guide.

Community schedules checked on Oct. 22, 2026

City or area	Date	Published hours	Source
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania	Sat., Oct. 31	5:30-7:30 p.m.	City of Pittsburgh
Marion, Indiana	Sat., Oct. 31	5-8 p.m.	City of Marion
Lakewood, Ohio	Sat., Oct. 31	6-8 p.m.	City of Lakewood
Lancaster, Pennsylvania	Sat., Oct. 31	6-8 p.m., rain or shine	City of Lancaster
Arlington County, Virginia	Sat., Oct. 31	No countywide hours; usually around sunset, just after 6 p.m.	Arlington County

These five places are selected examples, not a nationwide schedule or a directory. To find your own, search your city or county website for “Halloween 2026 trick-or-treat hours” and check that the announcement is for this year.

Why do trick-or-treating hours vary?

Hours are set locally. Pittsburgh, Marion, Lakewood and Lancaster each publish their own window, while Arlington County sets none and points to sunset. A neighboring town can choose differently.

Before you head out, check:

• The official start and end time for your town.
• Whether the event covers the whole city or only one neighborhood.
• Whether a rain plan has been announced. Lancaster says its hours hold rain or shine.
• Any local age guidance, curfew or street-closure notice.

Halloween safety tips for families

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) gives general Halloween costume guidance that is not specific to 2026. It covers these points:

• Choose well-fitted costumes that do not drag on the ground.
• Look for flame-resistant fabrics or a flame-resistant label.
• Pick light, bright costumes that drivers can see, and add reflective tape.
• Carry a flashlight.
• Do not eat treats until an adult has examined them.

Read the full CPSC release, Halloween Safety Tips for Selecting Costumes and Decor.

If you are hosting instead of going door to door, our Halloween party punch recipe has a nonalcoholic witches’ brew and a printable checklist.