When does trick-or-treating start and end in 2024?

Trick-or-Treat Hours in Areas Across the Country:

Each city's local guidelines for trick-or-treating on their streets may vary, but for most Americans there is a general window. A poll conducted by FiveThirtyEight in 2015 found that most Americans thought trick-or-treating should be introduced Arrival by 6:00 p.m. and completion by 9:00 p.m. at the latest.

Here's what time trick-or-treating typically takes place in the following cities:

• Atlanta: The city doesn't have set hours, but according to Fox 5 Atlanta, events like Trunk-or-Treat take place between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.
• Boston: The Boston Police Department has recommended trick-or-treating ends no later than 8:30 p.m
• Chicago: The city doesn't have set hours, but many trick-or-treating hours in Chicago end between 7:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m
• Cincinnati: Opening hours in the city and surrounding suburbs are between 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m., depending on the local outlet.
• Cleveland: Trick-or-treating will take place from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., according to local outlets.
• Denver: There are no set opening hours in the city, but some city-wide events could end as early as 5 p.m., according to local media.
• Indianapolis: The city will host trick-or-treating from 6 to 8 p.m., IndyStar News reports.
• Las Vegas: According to the city's website, the city is offering activities for all ages starting at 5 p.m. Clark County's Inside by 9 campaign encourages all children to finish trick-or-treating by 9 p.m. on Halloween.
• New York City: According to the New York City Department of Transportation, Halloween events will take place throughout the day in many parts of the city.
• Philadelphia: According to Visit Philadelphia, there are no set hours for trick-or-treating in the city, but events do take place on and around Halloween.
• Phoenix: The Phoenix Street Transportation Department says popular trick-or-treating times are 5:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m
• Pittsburgh: The City of Pittsburgh announced trick-or-treating will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m
• San Antonio: Hours vary, but younger children can start trick-or-treating as early as 4:30 p.m., while older children start around 7 p.m., a local outlet suggests.
• San Diego: While there is no set time for trick-or-treating, some activities in the area occur from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m
• San Francisco: There are no set times for trick-or-treating, but there are several events taking place on and around Halloween, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
• San Jose: The City of San Jose has stated that peak hours for trick-or-treating are between 5:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m
• Seattle: There are no set hours, but some trick-or-treating events take place from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m
• Washington DC: According to a statement from Mayor Muriel Bowser, trunk-or-treat events will take place between 4 and 8 p.m.

Before you set off, remember to take a flashlight, look both ways before crossing the street and make sure your family stays together on the road, according to Safe Kids Worldwide. And if you want to stay home, don't worry – there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween at home this year. Check out our best ideas below.

Zee Krstic

Content Strategy Manager, Hearst Magazines

Zee Krstic is Content Strategy Manager at Hearst Magazines, focusing on SEO optimization and other editorial strategies for four brands including Country Living, House Beautiful, ELLE Decor and VERANDA. He previously worked as health editor for Good housekeeping between 2019 and 2023, covering health news, nutrition and fitness trends, and conducting wellness product reviews in collaboration with the Good Housekeeping Institute. Prior to joining Hearst, Zee had a strong background in women's lifestyle media with more than eight years of editorial experience, including as a full-site editor at Martha Stewart Living after he acquired nutritional knowledge as an editorial assistant at Cooking light. Zee produces premium-based service-based health insurance, design and travel content for Hearst brands. He has written about food and food for Time, among other publications.

Mariah Thomas (she/her) is an editorial assistant for Good housekeepingwhere she covers home and lifestyle content. Mariah has over four years of editorial experience and has written for TLC, Apartment Therapy, Women's Health And Avocado Magazine. She received her master's degree in journalism from the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism and published her first book: Heart and Soul: Poems of Thoughts and Feelingsin 2019. She is also the founder of RTF Community, a platform for creators of color to connect, learn, and showcase their work.