Halloween Spending Hits Record $13.5 Billion in 2026, With One in Four Celebrators Going Into Debt
Americans are expected to spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, surpassing last year's record of $13.1 billion, according to the National Retail Federation. Despite the record total, nearly one in four celebrators expects to go into debt to cover holiday costs. Generation Z leads the debt trend, with 43 percent expecting to borrow for Halloween expenses.
Americans will spend a record $13.5 billion on Halloween in 2026, according to projections from the National Retail Federation, but the record comes with a financial warning: nearly one in four celebrators expects to go into debt to pay for it.
The $13.5 billion figure surpasses last year's record of $13.1 billion and continues a steady upward trend from $11.6 billion in 2024. On an individual level, the average consumer plans to spend $115.14, up slightly from $114.45 in 2025.
The debt concern is most pronounced among younger generations. Forty-three percent of Generation Z celebrators expect to borrow money for Halloween expenses, compared to 35 percent of Millennials, 14 percent of Generation X, and just 2 percent of Baby Boomers. Parents with children under 18 are also heavily affected, with 40 percent expecting to incur debt.
Among those who have previously gone into debt for Halloween, more than half reported regretting their spending, citing social pressure and costs that exceeded their expectations.
Despite the record total, many consumers are trying to cut back. Sixty-one percent of celebrators plan to skip certain purchases due to economic concerns, and 85 percent are taking at least one money-saving measure, such as setting a spending limit, comparison shopping, or reusing items from previous years.
Spending is spread across costumes ($4.4 billion), decorations ($4.3 billion), candy ($4.1 billion), and greeting cards ($0.8 billion).
One notable shift is that consumers are shopping earlier. Forty-nine percent started their Halloween shopping in September or earlier, compared to 34 percent a decade ago.
Fortune and the National Retail Federation both reported on the spending data in late October 2026.
