Halloween Spending Hits $11.6 Billion in 2025: Top Costume Trends and Seasonal Insights

Essential Highlights

• In 2024, Americans are projected to spend $11.6 billion on Halloween festivities, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
• This figure, while slightly below 2023’s record $12.2 billion, remains the second-highest since 2005.
• Popular costumes this year include Deadpool, Wolverine, and Beetlejuice, alongside timeless favorites like princesses, ghosts, and vampires.

Halloween continues to be a major spending event in the U.S., with consumers investing heavily in candy, costumes, decorations, and greeting cards to celebrate the spooky season.

The NRF reports that $3.8 billion will be spent on costumes and decorations, $3.5 billion on candy, and approximately $500 million on greeting cards this year.

“Halloween signals the official start of fall for many Americans, prompting early purchases of seasonal décor and autumn-themed items,” stated Katherine Cullen, NRF’s Vice President of Industry and Consumer Insights.

Halloween Festivities in Full Effect

In Tarrytown and Sleepy Hollow, New York—the iconic setting of Washington Irving’s "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"—Halloween celebrations are thriving. Homes are decorated with witches, skeletons, and eerie faces in trees, creating a festive atmosphere.

Tourists begin arriving after Labor Day, culminating in Tarrytown’s annual Halloween parade, which attracted 15,000 attendees last year, as reported by The Hudson Independent.

Wendy Goldman, owner of Bella’s Boutique in Tarrytown, shared, “Sales have surpassed expectations, with customers purchasing everything from keychains to locally crafted art and Sleepy Hollow-themed t-shirts.”

“For my shop, Halloween outshines Christmas in sales,” Goldman added.

Blockbuster Movie Costumes Dominate 2024

Movie-inspired costumes are leading this season’s trends. Deadpool and Wolverine costumes have surged in popularity following the release of a hit Marvel film this year, according to Spirit Halloween retailers. Additionally, the Beetlejuice costume has made a comeback, fueled by the new "Beetlejuice Beetlejuice" movie.

Classic costumes remain beloved, with Spider-Man, ghosts, and princess outfits topping children’s lists, while adults favor witches, vampires, and cats. Pet costumes are also popular, with pumpkins, hot dogs, and bats being the favorites.

Retail giant Target (TGT) revealed that 75% of its Halloween products are new this year, including costumes inspired by the upcoming "Wicked" movie releasing in November.

—Reporting contributed by Indira Ranganathan.

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