Halloween 2026 is on Saturday 31 October 2026. The date never moves: Halloween is always 31 October, so the only thing that changes each year is the day of the week. In 2026 it lands on a Saturday, which is the best possible outcome for anyone planning a party, a trick-or-treat run or a night out in costume.
The date is the same in every Australian state and territory. Whether you are in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin or Canberra, Halloween is Saturday 31 October 2026. It is not a public holiday anywhere in Australia, so nothing closes and there is no long weekend attached to it. Because Australia sits ahead of North America, we also reach Halloween several hours before the United States does.
Is Halloween celebrated in Australia?
Yes, and more each year. Halloween arrived in Australia through American film and television rather than tradition, so it was slow to take hold, but it is now a fixture in most suburbs. Trick-or-treating is common in family neighbourhoods, primary schools often hold dress-up days or discos in the last week of October, and pubs, clubs and workplaces run themed events. It sits in spring here rather than autumn, so the weather is usually mild and costumes can be lighter than they would be in the northern hemisphere. Australians tend to treat the day as a dress-up occasion rather than a religious or cultural one.
When do Halloween parties usually happen in 2026?
With Halloween on a Saturday, most 2026 parties will be held on the day itself. Expect trick-or-treating in the late afternoon and early evening of Saturday 31 October, with adult parties and venue events running the same night. Some hosts will bring their party forward to the previous weekend, Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, to avoid competing with everyone else, and school dress-up days will mostly fall in the week beginning Monday 26 October. If you have more than one event to attend, plan for costume-wearing across the two weekends rather than just one night.
When should I order a costume?
Earlier than you think. The last two weeks of October are the busiest period of the year for costume retailers and for parcel carriers, so ordering in early or mid October gives you time to try the costume on, check the fit and swap sizes if needed. If you are ordering closer to the day, choose Express shipping so the parcel moves through the network as quickly as possible, and check the shipping banner on our site for this year's cut-off dates before you place the order. Interstate deliveries take longer than metropolitan ones, so allow extra time if you are outside a capital city.
Quick Halloween 2026 date facts
| Year | Halloween date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 31 October 2026 | Saturday |
| 2027 | 31 October 2027 | Sunday |
| 2028 | 31 October 2028 | Tuesday |
Halloween 2027 also falls on a weekend, while Halloween 2028 lands mid-week, so parties that year are likely to shift to Saturday 28 October.
Halloween costume ideas for 2026
A Saturday Halloween means more people will go all-in on a costume, so it is worth choosing early. Classic horror characters such as vampires, witches, skeletons, ghosts and grim reapers never date, and they are easy to build from a robe, a mask and a prop. Browse the full range of Halloween costumes for adults and kids, or head straight to scary costumes if you want the frightening end of the spectrum.
For children, school dress-up days and trick-or-treating call for something comfortable enough to wear for a few hours. Look for kids Halloween costumes with soft fabrics, easy fastenings and hems that sit clear of the feet, and skip masks that restrict vision for younger kids. Pumpkins, little witches, skeletons and friendly ghosts are the safe bets.
Adults planning a night out can choose from full themed outfits or a quick mask-and-cape combination in our adult Halloween costumes collection. Going with a partner? Matched pairs such as vampire and victim, devil and angel or a skeleton duo are simple to coordinate, and our couples Halloween costumes range groups them together so you can pick both outfits in one visit.
Halloween 2026 FAQs
When is Halloween 2026?
Halloween 2026 is on Saturday 31 October 2026. Halloween is always on 31 October; only the day of the week changes from year to year.
Is Halloween a public holiday in Australia?
No. Halloween is not a public holiday in any Australian state or territory. Schools, offices and shops run as normal, which is one reason most parties happen on the nearest weekend.
What day is Halloween in 2027 and 2028?
Halloween 2027 falls on Sunday 31 October 2027, and Halloween 2028 falls on Tuesday 31 October 2028.
Is Halloween the same date in Australia as in the US?
Yes. Halloween is 31 October worldwide, including Australia, the US, the UK and New Zealand. The only difference is the time zone, so Australia reaches Halloween a day ahead of North America.