A little reason to celebrate
Halloween
Seasonal · Fun · October 31
Halloween brings costumes, carved pumpkins, trick-or-treating and spooky stories to neighborhoods across the United States each autumn.
Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026. That is 4 days away.
Porch lights come on, a jack-o'-lantern grins from the steps, and a small astronaut knocks on the door holding out a pillowcase. That is Halloween in much of the country: an autumn evening of costumes, candy and a pleasant, manageable amount of fright.
The best-known custom is trick-or-treating. Children in costume go door to door saying "trick or treat," and neighbors hand out candy. A lit porch usually signals that a house is taking part, and a dark one politely says it is not. Many towns also hold trunk-or-treat events in parking lots, where cars stand in for front doors.
Costumes range from homemade bedsheet ghosts to elaborate creations planned for weeks. Adults dress up too, for parties, offices and parades. Some people favor the classic monsters (witches, vampires, skeletons) while others pick whatever character or pun is on their mind that year.
Then there are pumpkins. Carving a jack-o'-lantern means scooping out the stringy pulp and seeds, cutting a face into the shell, and setting a candle or small light inside. The seeds can be rinsed, seasoned and roasted into a crunchy snack, which makes the messy part feel more productive.
Houses get decorated with fake cobwebs, paper bats and the occasional skeleton propped in a lawn chair. Ghost stories, scary movies and haunted houses round out the evening for those who like a little dread with their candy corn.
Ways to celebrate
- Carve a jack-o'-lantern and roast the seeds afterward.
- Make a costume from things already in your closet.
- Leave your porch light on and hand out treats.
- Watch a classic spooky movie with friends or family.
- Tell ghost stories in a darkened room.
Things for the day
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, October 31 |
| 2027 | Sunday, October 31 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, October 31 |
| 2029 | Wednesday, October 31 |
| 2030 | Thursday, October 31 |
All national days on October 31
Also on October 31
- National Candy Apple Day
- National Caramel Apple Day
- National Knock-Knock Jokes Day
- National Magic Day
- Girl Scout Founder's Day
Categories: Seasonal daysFun days