Halloween 2026 Safety Checklist: Costumes, Routes and Treats (Saturday 31 October)
Short answer
Halloween 2026 is Saturday 31 October. Pick bright or reflective costumes, plan a well-lit route with a set home time, and let an adult check every treat before anyone eats it.
Costume and trick-or-treat searches are rising fast across Canada and the US. This year Halloween lands on a Saturday, 31 October 2026, so many families will head out a little earlier and stay out a little longer. The tips below follow official advice from Health Canada and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), both listed in the sources at the end.
Before the night
- Costumes that fit: long or loose costumes can cause trips. Health Canada suggests bright colours or reflective tape so drivers can see kids.
- Face paint over masks: masks that don't fit can block vision. Do a small patch test of face paint a few days before.
- No open flames: use battery lights in jack-o'-lanterns, and let adults do the pumpkin carving.
- Button batteries: light-up toys should have battery covers that need a tool to open. Keep spare batteries away from small children.
Watch the days tick down with our Halloween countdown, and check what time it gets dark where you live with the sunrise and sunset calculator. In much of Canada and the northern US, sunset on 31 October comes around 6 p.m. or earlier, so most trick-or-treating happens after dark.
On the route
- Young children should always be with an adult. Older kids should go in a group, with a planned route and a home time.
- Stay on sidewalks, cross at corners or crosswalks, and never step out between parked cars.
- Carry a flashlight, and only visit homes with their outside lights on.
- Remind kids never to go into a stranger's home or car.
- Check the weather and pack a warm layer. Late-October evenings can turn cold quickly.
After: checking treats
Eat dinner before heading out so nobody snacks on the way. At home, an adult should check the bag first. Health Canada and the FDA both advise throwing away anything that is unwrapped, torn, has tiny holes or is homemade by someone you don't know. For children under 3, remove hard candy, gum, peanuts and small toys, because they are choking risks. If a child has a food allergy, read every label.
One more date to remember
The night after Halloween, clocks go back one hour in most of Canada and the US (Sunday 1 November). Our daylight saving guide explains the change. Late-night trick-or-treaters can also catch up on rest. See how much sleep kids need.
Updated 18 October 2026. Safety tips summarised from Health Canada and the US FDA.
