Americans are pulling back on Halloween spending this year, according to LendingTree's 2026 Halloween spending survey. Eight in 10 Americans (80%) plan to make a Halloween-related purchase, down from 90% last year, while those celebrating expect to spend an average of $162 – a 16% decline from $192 in 2025.

The survey of 2,000 U.S. consumers finds that economic uncertainty is leading 61% of Halloween celebrators to skip some purchases, most often candy, decorations, and costumes. Even with those cutbacks, nearly 1 in 4 celebrators (24%) expect to take on debt for the holiday, with Gen Zers and parents of children younger than 18 among those most likely to borrow.

The pullback is not universal. Nearly 4 in 10 celebrators (38%) expect to spend more than last year, rising to 58% among parents with children younger than 18. Meanwhile, 85% of celebrators say they're taking at least one step to save money this Halloween, including buying fewer items overall and setting a spending budget.

Key Findings

• Halloween shopping is losing its spell. 80% of Americans plan to make Halloween purchases this year, down from 90% in 2025. Candy leads (48%), followed by costumes for themselves (21%), outdoor decorations (21%), and children's costumes (20%).
• Expected spending falls to $162 among Halloween celebrators. That's down from $192 in 2025. Six-figure earners expect to spend $311, parents of children younger than 18 expect to spend $269, and millennials expect to spend $225. Americans handing out candy expect to spend $73 on treats alone.
• Economic uncertainty is haunting Halloween budgets. While 38% expect to spend more than last year, 61% are skipping purchases due to economic uncertainty, most often candy (35%), decorations (31%), and costumes (29%).
• Halloween debt is no treat. Nearly 1 in 4 celebrators (24%) expect to take on debt this year, including 43% of Gen Zers, 40% of parents, and 35% of millennials. Overall, 35% have gone into Halloween debt before, and 51% of those borrowers regret overspending.

To view the full report, visit:
https://www.lendingtree.com/credit-cards/study/halloween-budgets/