Halloween
Oct 1 – 31, 2026
Why demand moves
Costumes, candy, decorations and parties: spending builds through October and stops dead on the 31st.
What peaks
Businesses in the whole country listed on BYZXPO. Allow location to see how many are near you.
Plan for this season
See where there's room for you
Compare how many businesses of each busy type are near a place with the country as a whole: gaps, typical or crowded. Free accounts get one check a month; paid plans get more.
Sign in to use itBusiness ideas for this season
Costume rental or resale
Low start-up costHaunted house or kids’ party events
Medium start-up costThemed cakes and treat boxes
Low start-up costFace painting and special-effects makeup
Low start-up costIn numbers
US Halloween spending was forecast at a record $13.1 billion for 2025 (up from $11.6 billion): costumes $4.3 billion, decorations $4.2 billion, candy $3.9 billion.
Source: National Retail Federation (NRF) / Prosper Insights survey (2025)Key dates
Start getting ready
Aug 6 · 8 weeks before
Starts
Oct 1 · Now
Ends
Oct 31
Get ready checklist
Order costumes and decor by August
Sell leftovers on 1 November at a discount
Book party slots for the last two weekends
Also in
The same season in other markets — useful for importing and exporting.
Questions about Halloween in the United States
When is Halloween 2026 in the United States?
Halloween 2026 in the United States runs from October 1, 2026 to October 31, 2026.
Which businesses are busiest during Halloween?
party rentals, event planners, bakeries, craft stores, makeup artists and photographers see the most demand. Costumes, candy, decorations and parties: spending builds through October and stops dead on the 31st.
When should businesses start preparing for Halloween?
About 8 weeks before — from August 6, 2026 for Halloween 2026. Order costumes and decor by August
What business can I start for Halloween?
Ideas for Halloween: costume rental or resale (low start-up cost), haunted house or kids’ party events (medium start-up cost), themed cakes and treat boxes (low start-up cost) and face painting and special-effects makeup (low start-up cost).