What time does trick-or-treating start and end on Halloween 2025?
Knocking on random doors and ringing bells around the neighborhood is generally allowed on this special night of the year.
Trick-or-treating remains a cherished Halloween ritual for millions of children in the United States. Whether you’re plotting a house-to-house candy raid or preparing to hand out sweets at your own doorstep, knowing when the fun officially kicks off can make a difference.
Since Halloween is all about shadows and glow-in-the-dark treats, it’s ideal to head out just after sunset. But because Halloween in 2025 falls on a Friday, many communities may stretch the hours a little later. Some places still impose curfews or set hours for the candy scouts, others hold alternative events (like “trunk-and-treat”) to help younger children collect goodies in a safer way.
When does trick-or-treating start this year?
As I said, this year, 31 October falls on a Friday – meaning more families have the weekend feel, and there is no school the next morning to worry about. As a result, you may find extended hours or a later start in many neighbourhoods.
In general, most aim to begin around sunset, which across the U.S. in 2025 ranges from the early to mid-6 p.m. window in many places. For example, some sources recommend starting between 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. for younger children, with the “sweet spot” for full trick-or-treating being 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. If you want to be more exact, you can check your local sunset time and plan to start just after dusk-onset.
When does trick-or-treating end this year?
There’s no universal cut-off time, but most communities suggest that trick-or-treating winds down between 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. Some allow older children to stay out later – even toward 10 p.m. in busier or more densely populated areas. If you’re hosting at home, turning off your porch light or clearing your bowl of candy are common signals that you’re done for the night.
Because of the Friday feeling though, it’s reasonable to expect some families may stretch the night a little later, but it’s best to check your local municipal or community guidelines for any prescribed hours or curfews.
Be safe out there and remember that traffic-safety is a major concern on Halloween night. According to safety experts, more pedestrians are hit by cars on Halloween than on any other day of the year. Being dressed in black doesn’t help drivers see you or your little ones.
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