Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday 31 October, and Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on it. The National Retail Federation's annual survey puts the average at $115.14 per person, up from $114.45 last year, with 74% of people planning to celebrate. If you have kids, a party or a decorated porch in your plans, your number can easily pass that average. This toolkit shows where the money goes and how to set a Halloween budget that also protects the much bigger holiday weeks that follow.
Where the $13.5 billion goes
The NRF survey of 7,889 consumers (fieldwork 1–9 September 2026) splits spending into four big buckets. Costumes, decorations and candy are almost equal, which is useful: it means there is no single "must" category, and you can choose which one matters most to your family.
Expected Halloween 2026 spending by category (US)
Source: National Retail Federation / Prosper Insights & Analytics, press release 22 September 2026.
Two details stand out. First, adults now outspend children on costumes ($2 billion vs $1.5 billion), and pet costumes alone are worth $0.92 billion. Second, almost half of shoppers (49%) planned to start buying in September or earlier. Early shopping is not automatically cheaper: it simply stretches the season, and the receipts with it.
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Tool 1: Pick your Halloween number
Below are three budget levels split in the same proportions as national spending (costumes 32%, decorations 32%, candy 30%, cards 6%, rounded). They are starting points, not rules: move dollars between rows to match what your household actually cares about.
| Category | Lean: $40 | Middle: $75 | National average: $115 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costumes | $13 | $24 | $37 |
| Decorations | $13 | $24 | $36 |
| Candy | $12 | $23 | $35 |
| Cards | $2 | $4 | $7 |
Our calculation, using NRF 2026 category totals ($4.4B, $4.3B, $4.1B, $0.8B) as shares. Figures are per person; multiply by the number of people you are buying for.
Here is the part most budgets miss: the NRF figure is per person. A family of four at the national average is looking at roughly $460. Halloween is also just the opening night of the most expensive stretch of the year, with Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Christmas close behind. What you spend on 31 October is money that is not there in December.
Halloween is week one of the holiday season
If a $115-per-person night feels like a lot, the next eight weeks will feel like more. Plan them all on one page now.
The Holiday Spending Planner – Printable PDF helps you:
- set one total for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas, then split it by event;
- list every person, costume, gift and meal before you shop, so impulse buys have nowhere to hide;
- track what you actually spend against the plan, week by week.
100% digital PDF, nothing shipped. Download right after purchase, then print it or fill it in on your phone, tablet or computer. One-time purchase, no shipping fees.
Tool 2: The costume rules
- Shop your closet first. Many adult costumes are one statement piece plus clothes you already own.
- Set a per-costume cap before anyone opens a website, and write it down.
- Swap with friends. Children outgrow costumes every year; a group swap costs nothing.
- Pets are optional. At $0.92 billion nationally, pet costumes are the easiest line to cut without anyone feeling left out.
Tool 3: Candy maths
Candy is the one category where 96% of celebrants plan to buy. Two habits keep it in check: count last year's trick-or-treaters (or ask a neighbour) and buy for that number, and buy only one or two days before, so the bag is not half-eaten by Halloween itself. Food-at-home prices were up 1.8% over the year to September 2026 according to the BLS, so last year's candy budget plus a few dollars is a realistic ceiling.
Tool 4: Decorations that pay you back
Decorations are the category that can be reused. Before buying anything new, open last year's box. If you do buy, choose items you will happily use for five years, and skip anything that only works once.
Tool 5: Guardrails for AI shopping
The NRF found 47% of shoppers use AI tools for Halloween, 34% for ideas and 32% for product recommendations. That can save time, but recommendations are designed to lead to a purchase. Ask the tool for ideas within your number (for example, "costume ideas under $15 using clothes I own"), and treat every link as optional.
Tool 6: The 24-hour basket
Put items in your online basket and wait a day. If you still want them tomorrow and they fit the number in Tool 1, buy them. If not, you have just saved money without any willpower drama.
The magic of Halloween is the evening, not the receipt.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average American spend on Halloween in 2026?
$115.14 per person, according to the NRF's 2026 survey, up from $114.45 in 2025. Total spending is expected to reach a record $13.5 billion.
What day is Halloween 2026?
Saturday 31 October 2026. A weekend Halloween can mean more parties, so set your budget before invitations arrive.
How can I do Halloween on a budget?
Pick a per-person number, reuse costumes and decorations, buy candy for a counted number of visitors, and use a 24-hour wait before online purchases.
Keep reading
- The First $1 Trillion Holiday: How to Spend Less Than the 'Average' American
- Black Friday 2026 Calendar (US): When Deals Really Start, Week by Week
- Thanksgiving 2026 Costs More: The 5-Week Grocery Plan
- How Much Should I Spend on Christmas? A Simple Way to Set Your Holiday Number
Want a full month of lower spending after the holidays? Try the 30-Day No-Spend Challenge & Budget Tracker.
Sources
Educational content only. Not personalised financial advice.