Halloween is one of the most anticipated nights of the year in the United States. Whether you are planning the perfect costume, stocking up on candy for trick-or-treaters, or getting ready for a haunted house, this live countdown shows exactly how much time is left until October 31.
Halloween at a glance
- Next date
- Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Day of the week
- Saturday
- How the date is set
- Halloween is celebrated every year on October 31
- Category
- Holidays
Halloween dates for the next 5 years
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday | |
| 2027 | Sunday | |
| 2028 | Tuesday | |
| 2029 | Wednesday | |
| 2030 | Thursday |
Where Halloween comes from
Halloween traces its roots to Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. People believed the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin on that night, so they lit bonfires and wore disguises to ward off wandering spirits.
When the Christian church established All Saints' Day on November 1, the evening before became known as All Hallows' Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many of these traditions to America in the 19th century, where they grew into the community celebration we know today.
How Americans celebrate
Trick-or-treating became widespread across American neighborhoods in the mid-20th century and remains the heart of the holiday for families. Carving jack-o'-lanterns is another favorite tradition. The original Irish versions were carved from turnips, but pumpkins proved far easier to work with once the custom reached North America.
Today, Halloween is also a big night for adults, with costume parties, haunted attractions, horror movie marathons, and pumpkin patches filling the weeks of October. Americans spend billions of dollars every year on costumes, candy, and decorations.
Things to do while you count down
Use the days before Halloween to plan ahead: pick and order costumes early, visit a pumpkin patch or corn maze, schedule a pumpkin-carving night, and buy candy before the stores run low. If you are hosting a party, sending invitations two to three weeks out gives guests time to prepare their costumes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday, October 31, 2026. Halloween is celebrated every year on October 31.
How many days until Halloween?
The live countdown at the top of this page shows exactly how many days, hours, minutes, and seconds are left until Halloween, calculated for your local time zone.
Is Halloween always on October 31?
Yes. Unlike holidays such as Thanksgiving, Halloween does not move. It is always celebrated on October 31, no matter which day of the week it falls on.
Is Halloween a federal holiday?
No. Halloween is not a federal holiday in the United States, so schools, banks, and government offices typically stay open. Many communities do hold their trick-or-treating hours in the evening on October 31.
What time does trick-or-treating start?
Most neighborhoods trick-or-treat from around 5:00 or 6:00 PM until 8:00 or 9:00 PM on October 31. Some towns set official hours or move trick-or-treating to a nearby weekend day, so check with your local city or community.