Halloween 2026 Wrap-Up: By the Numbers, What Stood Out, and What to Plan for 2027
Halloween 2026 was projected to be the biggest on record, with the National Retail Federation forecasting $13.5 billion in spending, up from $13.1 billion in 2025. The season also landed on a Saturday, giants like Home Depot’s 12 ft Skelly stayed the headline decoration, and the big theme-park haunts wrapped up on October 31 and November 1. Halloween 2027 falls on a Sunday, so planning shifts early.
The costumes are in the closet, the stores are emptying and the yard is a little quieter. Before the season blurs, here is what the 2026 Halloween season looked like by the numbers, what stood out in decorations and haunts, and what to line up for 2027. If you are rebuilding your collection, Spirit’s 2026 lineup is on Amazon and a good place to start comparing once the clearance rush fades. Every figure below comes from a named source, and where something is a forecast rather than a final tally, we say so.
How big was Halloween 2026?
The National Retail Federation’s annual survey, released September 22, projected a new record for the holiday. These are survey projections made before the season, not final sales results.
| Measure | 2026 NRF projection | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total spending | $13.5 billion | Up from a record $13.1 billion projected last year |
| Consumers celebrating | 74% | 73% last year; 68% in 2019 |
| Average spend per person | $115.14 | Versus $114.45 in 2025 |
| Decorations | $4.3 billion (78% of consumers) | The second-largest category |
| Costumes | $4.4 billion (71%) | The largest category |
| Candy | $4.1 billion (96%) | Most widely bought |
| Started shopping by September | 49% | Early shopping stayed strong |
NRF’s survey, run by Prosper Insights & Analytics from September 1 to 9 with 7,889 consumers, has a margin of error of plus or minus 1.1 percentage points. Our breakdown of the numbers is in the Halloween 2026 spending record report.
What defined the 2026 decoration season?
Giants and character animatronics did most of the talking. The Associated Press ran a piece on October 29 calling the 12 ft Skelly an American Halloween fixture: it debuted in 2020, stands 12 feet tall and weighs about 90 pounds, and in 2026 gained a Bluetooth feature that lets owners record sounds or speak through it live. The AP piece, quoting Home Depot, said Skelly has sold out before Halloween every year, which is the article’s claim rather than verified sales data. Home Depot’s own 2026 launch listed it at $299, and our 12 ft Skelly buying guide covers how the launch worked.
Spirit Halloween filled the other end of the market. Haunted Attraction Network’s June rundown of the lineup priced the headline figures like this:
| Spirit Halloween 2026 figure | Listed price |
|---|---|
| Trash Bandit | $149.99 |
| Harmonica Hank | $199.99 |
| Jeremy Jaws | $249.99 |
| Willow Witch | $299.99 |
| Michael Myers | $349.99 |
| Alien Xenomorph | $449.99 |
| Freddy Fazbear (Five Nights at Freddy’s) | $499.99 |
Prices are as reported by Haunted Attraction Network and may have changed. Our ranking of every new Spirit release has the full lineup.
How did the haunt season play out?
Halloween 2026 fell on a Saturday, the best case for late-night scares, as we covered in our Halloween on a Saturday guide. Per Haunted Attraction Network, Halloween Horror Nights ran 49 select nights in Orlando from August 28 through November 1 and 42 select nights in Hollywood from September 3 through November 1. Knott’s Scary Farm ran 26 select nights from September 17 through October 31, with 10 mazes, according to Attractions Magazine and the park’s announcements. Our HHN 35 houses ranked and Knott’s Scary Farm guide stay up for reference. Smaller haunts mostly set their own finales, so some wrapped up before October 31.
What happens to Halloween shopping now?
Most Spirit Halloween stores are reported to close on Monday, November 2. A smaller group of about 39 closes on October 31, and 38 of those reopen as Spirit Christmas on November 6, according to Haunted Attraction Network. Discounts vary by store, so use our Halloween 2026 clearance deals guide to see where markdowns usually land.
What should you plan for Halloween 2027?
Halloween 2027 falls on a Sunday, which typically means the last full haunt weekend lands October 29 and 30, and some attractions may end earlier. Dates are set by each attraction, so treat that as a planning assumption, not a schedule. Before you forget what went wrong this year, write it down: what broke, what you wished you had, and what drew the most reactions. Our home haunt ideas for next year turns that list into a plan, and the best haunted houses in America guide is the place to start picking your 2027 road-trip haunts.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did Americans spend on Halloween in 2026? NRF projected a record $13.5 billion before the season, up from $13.1 billion in 2025. Final totals may differ from that survey-based forecast.
What day is Halloween in 2027? Halloween 2027 falls on a Sunday. Haunts set their own calendars, so confirm dates with each attraction.
When do Spirit Halloween stores close in 2026? Most are reported to close November 2, with about 39 closing October 31. Check your store’s page since dates can vary.
When did Halloween Horror Nights end in 2026? Haunted Attraction Network lists November 1, 2026 as the final date for both the Orlando and Hollywood events.
When should I start planning Halloween 2027 decorations? Many shoppers begin early. NRF found 49% of 2026 shoppers started in September or earlier, so a November planning list gives you a head start.
Ready for next year? Plan your 2027 haunt while the lessons are fresh.
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