Average planned Halloween spending reaches $159 in RetailMeNot’s 2026 survey. Candy is the most popular purchase, while roughly a third plan to buy Halloween clothing or accessories.
Halloween shopping includes plenty of purchases beyond the trick-or-treat bowl. Adult costumes appear on 33% of respondents’ lists in RetailMeNot’s September 2026 survey, and 24% plan to buy tickets to Halloween events. Pet costumes have a place, too, at 22%.
Overall, 87% plan to make a Halloween purchase this year, compared with 82% in 2025.
How much are people planning to spend on Halloween?
Shoppers expect to spend an average of approximately $159 on Halloween this year, compared with $92 in 2025, an increase of about 72%. The total covers Halloween purchases including costumes, decorations, candy and event tickets.
The survey measures planned spending. It does not establish how much of the increase comes from higher prices or changes in what people intend to buy.
What people are buying for Halloween?
Candy and treats are the most commonly selected purchase, at 58%. Halloween clothing and accessories follow at 34%, with adult costumes at 33%.
- Halloween-themed clothing and accessories: 34%
- Adult costumes: 33%
- Exterior decorations: 32%
- Interior decorations: 32%
- Kids’ costumes: 31%
- Halloween party supplies: 31%
- Tickets to Halloween events: 24%
- Makeup and beauty products: 24%
- Pet costumes: 22%
Respondents could select multiple categories. These percentages show how many selected each purchase type; they do not measure dollars spent.
Decorating draws similar interest indoors and outside, with each category selected by about 32%. Adult costumes and kids’ costumes also appear on similar shares of shopping lists.
What will shoppers splurge on?
Candy and treats lead the splurge choices, at 19%. Halloween clothing and accessories come next at 12%, followed by kids’ costumes at 11%.
- Candy and treats: 19%
- Halloween-themed clothing and accessories: 12%
- Kids’ costumes: 11%
- Exterior decorations: 10%
- Adult costumes: 9%
- Halloween events and experiences: 9%
- Halloween party supplies: 8%
- Interior decorations: 6%
- Pet costumes: 6%
- Makeup and beauty: 4%
- Do not plan to splurge: 8%
Although candy is the leading answer, splurge preferences vary. Exterior decorations are the top choice for about one in ten respondents, while 9% select Halloween events and experiences. Another 8% say they do not plan to splurge on anything.
For more on how these purchases fit into the weeks before October 31, read “Halloween Has Become a Season People Live In.”
Methodology: RetailMeNot Group Q4 2026 consumer survey, fielded September 2026. N=1,183.
The post Halloween 2026 by the Numbers: What Shoppers Are Buying appeared first on The Real Deal by RetailMeNot.
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