5 Surprising Ways To Cut Corners and Save Money on Halloween
Written by
Jennifer Taylor
Edited by
Jordan Rosenfeld
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Spooky season has arrived, and it isn’t cheap. If you feel like Halloween is expensive this year, you’re probably right. In 2024, the average household plans to spend $104 per person on Halloween, according to research from the National Retail Federation (NRF). Seemingly, most people aren’t deterred by this triple-digit expense, as 72% plan to celebrate the holiday.
Participation in specific Halloween activities varies, but most (67%) plan to hand out candy. Other top festivities include decorating (52%), dressing in costume (49%), carving a pumpkin (43%), and throwing or attending a party (29%). Total spending for the holiday is expected to reach $11.6 billion.
You can certainly spend a lot on Halloween, but there are ways to save money.
Here’s a look at five ways to cut corners and save money while still fully enjoying the holiday.
Attend a Halloween Costume Swap Event
Buying brand-new Halloween costume(s) can add up fast. In 2024, the top children’s costume is Spider-Man, while the No. 1 costume for adults is a witch, according to NRF.
At Spirit Halloween, kids’ Spider-Man costumes range in price from $29.99 to $34.99. The cost of adult witch costumes vary, but run approximately from $29.99 to $129.99.
This can be a lot to spend on a costume you might wear only once, but thankfully there’s a solution. Many local communities hold Halloween costume swap events, where you can donate an old costume and get a new — to you — one for free.
Events like this are often held at a library, so check with your local branch to see if one is in the works.
Buy Candy in Bulk
When it comes to saving money on candy, buying more can actually allow you to spend less. Both Costco and Sam’s Club have a wide variety of options, and some are even on sale.
For example, you can get a 30-count Hershey’s variety pack for a discounted price of $26.19 — a savings of $6.80 — through October 20 at Costco. Sam’s Club is offering a 30-pack of Mars chocolate candy bars for a sale price of $23.98 — a savings of $4 — through October 31.
Skip the Pumpkin Patch
To clarify, do go to the pumpkin patch, but don’t buy a pumpkin. Prices tend to be seriously inflated at these adorable fall outlets, so it might be better to get yours elsewhere.
For example, Trader Joe’s and Sprouts are offering pumpkins for $5, and Target is selling them for $5.49. Even better, if you live near a Food Lion, you can get a large carving pumpkin for $4.99.
Buy Decorations on Sale — Before the Holiday
If you think you have to wait until after Halloween to pick up holiday decorations on sale, you are mistaken. Instead, you just have to know where to shop.
For example, Michaels, Target and Walmart all currently have sales on Halloween items. Shopping strategically can allow you to get the Halloween decorations you need without breaking your budget.
Seek Out Free Entertainment
Traditional Halloween activities, such as haunted houses, haunted hayrides, ghost tours and other spooky attractions, can add up fast. However, some of the best holiday entertainment is completely free.
For example, there’s a free “Hocus Pocus” recreation at the Historic Ropes Mansion in Salem, Massachusetts, from October 25 to October 31. Findlay Market in Cincinnati is having a free trick-or-treat event on Halloween, and several Philadelphia area towns are having Halloween parades.
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