Category: Finance | Title: What Day Is Trick-or-Treating This Year | Tag: Halloween | Meta Description: Find the exact date of trick-or-treating this year, plus candy sales, participation rates, and top candy companies...
What Date Is Halloween and Trick-or-Treating in 2025
Trick-or-treating falls on Halloween, which is always October 31. In 2025, Halloween is on Friday, October 31, meaning trick-or-treating typically starts after sunset on that date. The National Retail Federation projects U.S. Halloween spending will reach roughly $13.1 billion in 2025, with candy representing a major share of seasonal retail revenue. According to the National Confectioners Association, chocolate and non-chocolate candy sales spike sharply in the weeks leading up to October 31, with seasonal revenue concentrated in the last ten days of October. For a breakdown of retail forecasts and seasonal spending data, see the National Retail Federation's Halloween survey at nrf.com/research/halloween-survey.
Halloween is a fixed annual observance, but the day of the week changes each year, which affects neighborhood participation patterns and municipal trick-or-treat curfews. In 2025, Halloween lands on a Friday, giving families a full weekend for events and making evening trick-or-treating convenient for working households. Municipalities such as Los Angeles, New York City, and Chicago publish official trick-or-treat hours, often between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on October 31. The Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals notes that local ordinances may restrict hours for minors and require permits for organized community events.
Top Candy Companies and Seasonal Sales Trends
Mars Wrigley, The Hershey Company, and Mondelēz International are the largest candy manufacturers supplying trick-or-treat Halloween bags in the United States. Mars Wrigley's Snickers consistently ranks as the top-selling Halloween candy, while Hershey's Reese's Peanut Butter Cups and Kit Kat are among the most traded items at school and neighborhood exchanges. The Halloween & Costume Association's annual survey shows that chocolate bars and small candy packs account for more than 60 percent of all trick-or-treat treats purchased by U.S. households.
Retailers including Walmart, Target, and Amazon ramp up seasonal candy inventory in late September, with Halloween-themed SKUs appearing on shelves weeks before October 31. Dollar stores such as Dollar General and Dollar Tree capture a significant share of impulse candy purchases, offering multi-pack assortments priced under $10. For industry revenue data and company financials, see Mars Wrigley's parent company Mars, Inc. at mars.com and The Hershey Company's investor page at investors.hershey.com.
How to Find Local Trick-or-Treat Times and Safety Rules
City police departments and community organizations publish official trick-or-treat hours and safety guidelines each year, often updating them in early October. The National Safety Council provides a checklist for pedestrian safety, costume visibility, and candy inspection that aligns with recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics. Parents can verify local times by checking municipal websites, neighborhood association social media pages, or police department news releases.
Insurance carriers such as State Farm and Allstate remind homeowners to review liability coverage during Halloween, noting that pedestrian injuries and property claims rise on October 31. The Insurance Information Institute reports that Halloween is one of the top nights for pedestrian accidents involving children, reinforcing the importance of reflective gear and adult supervision. For official safety resources, see the National Safety Council's Halloween safety page at nsc.org and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission's seasonal safety alerts at cpsc.gov.