Start when the porch lights come on
Most neighborhoods open for candy around 5:30–6:00 PM once it's dark enough for porch lights to read. Younger kids often start first; older kids and teens head out closer to 7:00 PM.
The candy run
When Is Trick-or-Treating 2026?
The date, the hours, and what to expect on the biggest candy night of the year.
The quick answer
Trick-or-treating is on Saturday, October 31, 2026
Most neighborhoods run from about 5:30 PM to 8:30–9:00 PM.
Halloween is always October 31, and in 2026 it lands on a Saturday — so the candy run stays on the 31st with no Sunday shift. A lit porch light means a house is handing out candy; a dark house means skip it.
Date
Sat, Oct 31, 2026
Typical hours
5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Day of week
Saturday night
What to expect on Halloween night
Trick-or-treating is a neighborhood tradition with its own rhythm. Here's how the night usually unfolds on Saturday, October 31, 2026.
5:00 – 5:30 PM
The warm-up
Families with younger kids head out first. Costumes get a final check, buckets get a first candy, and porch lights flick on across the block.
5:30 – 7:30 PM
Peak candy hours
The busiest stretch. Sidewalks fill with costumed kids, and most houses are actively handing out treats. This is the sweet spot for the biggest haul.
7:30 – 9:00 PM
The wind-down
Younger kids head home. Older kids and teens take over the later shift. Porch lights start going off one by one — once the lights go dark, the candy is gone.
How to trick-or-treat like a pro
A few unwritten rules and a little planning turn a good candy run into a great one.
Follow the porch-light rule
A lit porch light means a house is handing out candy. A dark, undecorated house means skip it — don't ring the bell. When the lights start going off, the night is winding down.
Plan a loop you know
Pick a familiar, well-lit route with sidewalks and good street lighting. Agree on a meeting spot if a group splits up, and carry a phone in case anyone gets separated.
Inspect treats before eating
Wait until you're home to dig in. Check for tampering, torn wrappers, or homemade items unless you know the giver. Swap out anything with allergens for a safe stash, and keep a teal pumpkin or allergy-friendly list handy.
Stay visible
Add reflective tape, glow sticks, or a small flashlight to costumes so drivers can see you. Choose face paint over masks when you can — masks block peripheral vision and make it hard to cross streets safely.
Mind the age curve
Kids under 12 should trick-or-treat with a trusted adult. Older kids can go in groups with a phone and a curfew. Teens are usually welcome as long as they're in costume and respectful — it's a holiday for everyone.
What to bring
- A sturdy bucket or pillowcase for candy
- A small flashlight or headlamp
- Glow sticks or reflective tape for visibility
- A fully charged phone
- Comfortable, walkable shoes
- A light layer — October nights get cold
Make a night of it
Find a Halloween parade, haunted house, or fright night near your zip code, and watch the seconds tick down to October 31.
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