When is Halloween?
Halloween is on October 31 every year, whatever the day of the week. Trick-or-treating usually starts in the early evening of the 31st.
Some towns move trick-or-treat to a nearby weekend day, so it is worth checking local news before you plan the night.
A Halloween planning list
- Three to four weeks out: choose costumes and order anything that has to ship.
- Two weeks out: put up decorations and send party invites.
- One week out: buy pumpkins and treats.
- A few days before: carve the pumpkins, since carved ones soften quickly.
- On the day: charge flashlights, plan the route and set a time to head home.
Where Halloween comes from
Halloween grew out of Samhain, a Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. It later became All Hallows’ Eve, the night before All Saints’ Day on November 1.
Questions and answers
How many days until Halloween?
There are 9 days until Halloween 2026 on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The countdown on this page shows the hours, minutes and seconds too.
What day is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026. The table on this page shows the day of the week for the next five years.
Is Halloween always on October 31?
Yes. The date never changes, but some communities hold trick-or-treat on a different evening.
When should I carve my pumpkin?
A few days before Halloween. Carved pumpkins dry out and soften quickly, especially in warm weather, so carving more than a week ahead is risky.
What comes after Halloween?
All Saints’ Day on November 1. In Mexico and many other places, the Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 1 and 2.