Halloween Spending Is Breaking Records — Here's What That Means for Shoppers

If it feels like Halloween has gotten bigger every year, that's not just a feeling — it's backed by data.

According to the National Retail Federation's 2026 annual consumer survey, Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $13.1 billion this year, with 73% of consumers planning to celebrate the holiday. Top planned activities include handing out candy (66%), dressing up in costume (51%), and decorating (51%).

Apparel is a big piece of that pie. Costume spending alone is projected to reach $4.3 billion, with 71% of consumers planning to purchase a costume this year.

Interestingly, price sensitivity hasn't slowed people down. While 79% of shoppers anticipate higher prices due to tariffs, that hasn't stopped nearly three-quarters of consumers from planning to celebrate anyway.

What does this mean if you're shopping for Halloween apparel this year? Two things: demand is high, and popular designs tend to sell out earlier each season as more shoppers get in early. In fact, national data shows shoppers are already planning ahead — as of early August, one-quarter of consumers had already purchased at least one Halloween item.