Facts and figures for Halloween 2021

Consumer spending on Halloween-related items is expected to reach an all-time high of $10.14 billion, up from $8.05 billion in 2020, according to a survey conducted for the National Retail Federation. 

About 65 percent of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year, up from 58 percent in 2020 and compared to 68 percent in 2019 before the covid-19 pandemic.

Households with children are much more likely to celebrate Halloween – 82 percent – than those without – 55 percent.

The top ways consumers are planning to celebrate Halloween include handing out candy, 66 percent; decorating their home or yard, 52 percent; dressing in costumes, 46 percent; carving a pumpkin, 44 percent; and hosting or attending a party, 25 percent.

With more Americans celebrating Halloween this year, average spending is also up. On average consumers plan to spend $102.74 on costumes, candy, decorations, and greeting cards – $10 more than they planned to spend last year.

Households with children are estimated to spend more than twice the amount than households without children – $149.69 compared with $73.57 – on Halloween items.

The number of Americans planning to decorate for Halloween is similar to last year’s spike in interest, with spending on decorations continuing to go up to $3.17 billion, up from last year’s $2.59 billion.

Total spending on costumes is the highest it has been since 2017 at $3.32 billion.

This year consumers began shopping for Halloween items earlier than ever, with 45 percent shopping in September or earlier and another 39 percent during the first two weeks of October.

Pet costumes

One in five people surveyed plan to dress their pet up for Halloween this year. Younger adults are more likely to do it, as 28 percent of those aged 18–24 and 30 percent of those aged 25–34.

The most popular costumes for pet lovers include a pumpkin, 10 percent; hot dog, 5 percent; superhero or cat, each tied at 4 percent; and bumblebee, 3 percent.

Kids costumes

More than 1.8 million children plan to dress as Spiderman, more than 1.6 million as their favorite princess, more than 1.2 million as Batman, and more than 1.2 million will dress as one of their other favorite superheroes.

Adult costumes

More than 4.6 million adults plan to dress like a witch, more than 1.6 million as a vampire, more than 1.4 million as a ghost, more than 1.1 million as a cat, and another 1.1 million as a pirate.