Trick-or-Treat Sunset & Hours Calculator
This is a general estimate, not your town's official hours. Sunset is calculated astronomically and can be off by a few minutes; the suggested window follows the common nationwide pattern of starting near sunset and running about 2-3 hours. Many towns and cities set exact, official trick-or-treat hours by local ordinance -- check your town or city's own announcement before heading out.
Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31 -- the first Saturday Halloween since 2020. Pick a major US city (or enter your own latitude) to estimate that day's sunset time and a suggested trick-or-treat window, based on the general pattern of starting near sunset and running 2-3 hours. This is a general estimate, not your town's official posted hours -- many towns set exact hours by local ordinance, so check your town or city's own announcement too.
How it works
- Pick a major US city close to you, or enter your own latitude/longitude if you know it
- See the calculated sunset time for October 31, 2026 at that location
- See a suggested trick-or-treat window based on the common 'starts near sunset, runs 2-3 hours' pattern -- then check your town's official announcement to confirm
Frequently asked questions
Is this my town's official trick-or-treat time?
No. This is a general estimate based on sunset and a common nationwide pattern. Many towns and cities set official hours by local ordinance or police department announcement -- always check your town's own posted hours before heading out.
Is Halloween 2026 really on a Saturday?
Yes -- October 31, 2026 falls on a Saturday. It's the first Saturday Halloween since 2020, and the next one isn't until 2037.
How is the sunset time calculated?
It's calculated from your chosen city's latitude and longitude using a standard astronomical formula (the same kind used by solar calculators), for October 31, 2026. It's accurate to within a few minutes, not an official published time for your exact address.
Why do trick-or-treat hours usually run 2-3 hours starting near sunset?
It's a common nationwide pattern reported by local town announcements and family media coverage -- most communities start around sunset for visibility and safety, and wind down as younger kids get tired, typically within 2-3 hours.
Related tools
From the blog
Update history
- 2026-10-03 Added links to related tools.
- 2026-09-29 Launched: estimates October 31, 2026 sunset time for major US cities via astronomical calculation and suggests a trick-or-treat window based on the sunset-start, 2-3-hour-duration pattern, with explicit copy that this isn't an official town schedule.