Halloween 2026 Costs: Top Costumes, Candy Prices & How To Save

Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31, and Americans are on track to spend a near-record amount on it even as prices climb. The National Retail Federation (NRF) expects total Halloween spending to reach $13.5 billion this year, about $115 per person, while chocolate candy costs noticeably more than it did a year ago. The good news: with a week to go, there’s still plenty of time to pick a trending costume and stock up on treats without blowing your budget.

Here’s what’s popular this year, what things actually cost, and the simplest ways to save.

How much Americans plan to spend on Halloween 2026

According to the NRF’s annual Halloween survey, conducted with Prosper Insights & Analytics among 7,889 consumers in early September, spending is expected to hit $13.5 billion, up from last year’s record $13.1 billion. The average shopper plans to spend $115.14, almost identical to $114.45 in 2025.

Participation is holding steady too: 74% of people plan to celebrate, compared with 68% before the pandemic in 2019. The most popular ways to mark the day are handing out candy (61%), dressing up (50%), decorating the home or yard (42%), carving pumpkins (42%) and watching scary movies (42%).

Where the money goes

Costumes: $4.4 billion, with 71% of shoppers buying one
Decorations: $4.3 billion, bought by 78% of shoppers
Candy: $4.1 billion, with 96% of shoppers planning to buy sweets
Greeting cards: $0.8 billion, as 42% plan to buy them, up from 38% last year

Pets aren’t left out. The NRF estimates $0.92 billion will go on pet costumes, and the most popular choices are a pumpkin, a hot dog and a ghost.

The most popular Halloween costumes of 2026

Which costume list you trust depends on how it’s measured. The NRF asks people what they plan to wear, while trend roundups track search and social data. Both are worth a look.

What kids want to be

Superheroes dominate. The NRF says 4.6 million children plan to dress as Spider-Man and 2.3 million as a generic superhero, followed by princess (2.2 million), witch (1.6 million) and ghost (1.6 million). The NRF’s costume trends breakdown also notes that KPop Demon Hunters characters have stayed in the kids’ top 10.

What adults plan to wear

Adults are sticking with the classics: witch (4.8 million people), vampire (4.2 million), Batman (2 million), Spider-Man (1.5 million) and ghost (1.4 million). The NRF found that Gen Z cares most about something “niche and unique,” while Gen X is the generation most likely to go for “funny and silly.”

The trending pop-culture picks

For costumes driven by search and social buzz, Mental Floss ranked the top trending costumes of 2026 using Google search volume and Pinterest trend scores. Its top five, with typical costs:

K-Pop Demon Hunters (Mira, Zoey or Rumi): about $41, and the wig does most of the work
Pennywise, the clown from IT and HBO’s IT: Welcome to Derry: about $49
Nikki Freeman from the horror hit Obsession: about $27, since the look is largely everyday clothes
Dolly Parton: about $56, built around a platinum wig and rhinestones
He-Man from Masters of the Universe: about $78

Gru, Aunt Gladys from Weapons, Wednesday Addams, Mario and Michael Jackson round out the rest of that top 10.

Why Halloween candy costs more this year

If your candy run felt pricier, you’re not imagining it. As NBC News reported, Bureau of Labor Statistics data shows prices for candy and chewing gum are up 8.1% over the past year. PwC figures cited in the same report put the average price of Halloween chocolate at $5.67 a package, up 15.5%, while non-chocolate candy averages $3.31, up just 1.8%.

Two things are behind it. First, cocoa prices quadrupled between January 2023 and January 2025 after extreme weather hit growers in Ivory Coast and Ghana, according to IMF data cited by NBC. Cocoa has since fallen by roughly half, but chocolate makers buy months or even years ahead, so those lower costs haven’t reached store shelves yet. Second, tariffs of 10% to 12.5% imposed in July on 60 trading partners have added to costs for imported ingredients.

Not every tracker sees the same jump. Market research firm NIQ found chocolate overall up 9.4% from a year ago, but Halloween-specific chocolate up only 1.7%, so prices can vary a lot depending on what and where you buy.

How to save on Halloween this year

Shoppers are already being strategic. If prices come in higher than expected, the NRF found that 34% plan to buy items they can reuse, 31% will comparison shop and 26% will hunt for coupons and sales. Here’s how to put those ideas to work.

Mix chocolate with non-chocolate candy

Because chocolate is where most of the price increase is, filling part of your bowl with gummies, lollipops or hard candy is the easiest way to cut your candy bill. Kids rarely complain about variety.

Shop discount stores and compare unit prices

Discount stores are the top Halloween shopping destination (39%), ahead of specialty costume stores (32%) and online (27%). Compare the price per ounce on bulk bags rather than the sticker price, since bigger bags aren’t always cheaper.

Build a costume from what you already own

Several of this year’s trending looks are cheap to put together. A Nikki Freeman outfit is mostly a striped top and shorts, and the K-Pop Demon Hunters and Dolly Parton looks hinge on a wig. Buying one key piece and pulling the rest from your closet usually beats a boxed costume.

Buy decorations you can reuse

Decorations are one of the biggest spending categories, so lean toward sturdy items like lights, lanterns and fabric pieces that will last for several years, rather than one-time props.

Buy next year’s candy and decor after Halloween

Stores usually discount leftover stock right after October 31. If you have the storage space, that’s the cheapest time to stock up on decorations and shelf-stable treats for next year.

Make your home safe for visitors

If you’re handing out candy, clear the path before trick-or-treaters arrive. Light your walkway, move tripping hazards and check overhead branches. Our guide to dealing with storm-damaged tree branches covers what to look for, and if someone does take a tumble, here’s what to do right after a slip and fall.

Already thinking past October? Holiday travel is getting expensive too. See why holiday airfares hit a 10-year high in 2026 and how to save on flights.

Frequently asked questions

What day is Halloween 2026?

Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31. Trick-or-treat hours are set locally, so check your town or neighborhood’s schedule.

How much does the average person spend on Halloween?

The NRF expects the average celebrant to spend $115.14 in 2026, close to last year’s $114.45.

What is the most popular Halloween costume in 2026?

By the NRF’s survey, Spider-Man is the top kids’ costume and witch is the top adult costume. By search and social trends, Mental Floss ranks K-Pop Demon Hunters as the top trending costume of the year.

Why is chocolate so expensive this Halloween?

Chocolate makers are still working through cocoa bought during the 2023 to 2025 price spike, and tariffs have raised some import costs. PwC puts Halloween chocolate at $5.67 a package on average, up 15.5% from last year.

When is the best time to buy Halloween candy?

For this year, compare prices across discount stores and look for multi-buy deals. For next year, the day after Halloween is usually when stores mark leftover candy and decorations down.

Featured image: “Halloween 2022 Jack-‘o-lanterns 2, Wild Adventures” by Michael Rivera, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.