Halloween Costume Sales 2026: When & Where to Buy

Q: Is it cheaper to buy Halloween costumes before or after Halloween?

After Halloween is cheapest, 50% off on November 1 and up to 70% a few days later, but stock is very limited. Before Halloween you pay a little more but get the full range of sizes and styles.

Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31 — and if you want a great costume without overpaying, timing is everything. Here is the short version: costume sales and BOGO offers start in mid-September through early October, prices are decent right before the holiday, and the deepest discounts (up to 70% off) hit in the after-Halloween clearance from November 1. The catch? After Halloween, stock is almost gone. Below is the complete 2026 guide to when Halloween costumes go on sale, where to buy them cheap, and how to save the most.

When Is Halloween 2026?

Halloween 2026 lands on Saturday, October 31. A weekend Halloween is good news for shoppers: retailers run a full week of sales leading up to it, and the Saturday date means more parties — and more costume demand — so buying early matters even more than usual.

When Do Halloween Costumes Go On Sale?

Costume deals arrive in waves. Here is the 2026 timeline to plan around:

When	What to expect
Mid-Sept – early Oct	Early costume sales and BOGO (buy-one-get-one) offers begin.
Mid-October	Peak selection; solid pre-Halloween promo codes and coupons.
Oct 25–31	Best stock is thinning; last-minute deals but sizes sell out.
Nov 1 onward	Clearance begins — the cheapest prices of the year.

Sweet spot: For the best balance of price and selection, shop in early-to-mid October with a coupon. Wait too long and your size or character is gone; buy too early and you miss the sales.

Before vs After Halloween: Which Is Cheaper?

This is the classic trade-off — lowest price versus best selection:

Timing	Price	Selection
Before Halloween	Good (with coupons/BOGO)	Full range of sizes & styles
After Halloween	Best (50–70%+ off)	Very limited — picked over

Reality check: A great clearance price means nothing if your costume is out of stock. Buy this year's costume before Halloween — and use the after-Halloween clearance to stock up for next year.

The After-Halloween Clearance Calendar

If you're hunting the absolute lowest prices (for next year, a dress-up box, or party supplies), the clearance drops fast:

Date	Typical markdown
November 1	Around 50% off
November 3–4	Up to 70% off
A week later	Deepest cuts — but almost nothing left

Where to Buy Halloween Costumes (Cheap)

A mix of dedicated costume shops and big-box stores gives you the best of price and choice:

Spirit Halloween — the costume specialist. Watch for its Friday the 13th storewide sale, up to 90% off in the sale section, and free-shipping codes on larger orders. New subscribers often get a 20% welcome offer.
Costumes.com — a huge range of costumes and accessories for the whole family, with regular promo codes.
Target, Walmart & Amazon — strong for value costumes, BOGO offers, and the fastest post-Halloween clearance markdowns.

Save first: Before you check out anywhere, grab a working code from our store directory — stacking a coupon on top of a costume sale is the easiest win.

How to Save the Most on Halloween Costumes

Use a coupon on a sale. Stack a promo code on top of a BOGO or sale price for the biggest saving.
Sign up for newsletters. Costume retailers like Spirit Halloween often send a 20% welcome code and exclusive early deals.
Buy next year's costume on Nov 1. Clearance is 50–70% off — stock up for kids' dress-up and next Halloween.
Mix and DIY. Buy one key accessory or mask on sale and build the rest from your closet.
Mind return dates. Costume return windows tighten before Halloween (many go final-sale in late October), so buy with your size confirmed.

Halloween vs Other Seasonal Sales

Halloween kicks off the fall-and-winter sale season — and it flows straight into the biggest shopping weekend of the year. If you're planning your seasonal spending, line these up together: see our Black Friday 2026 guide for the deals right after Halloween, and our Labor Day Sales 2026 guide for what to buy when across the whole year.

Conclusion

So, when should you buy a Halloween costume in 2026? For the best mix of price and choice, shop early-to-mid October with a coupon; for the absolute lowest prices, raid the November 1 clearance for next year. Halloween lands on Saturday, October 31, so start early — the best sizes and characters sell out first. Grab verified costume codes here at GetMePromo to stack savings on top of every sale.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Halloween costumes go on sale in 2026?

Early costume sales and BOGO offers start in mid-September through early October, with peak selection and promo codes in mid-October. The deepest discounts come in the after-Halloween clearance from November 1.

Is it cheaper to buy Halloween costumes before or after Halloween?

After Halloween is cheapest — 50% off on November 1, up to 70% a few days later — but stock is very limited. Before Halloween you pay a little more but get the full range of sizes and styles.

When is Halloween 2026?

Halloween 2026 is Saturday, October 31. The weekend date means retailers run a full week of sales leading up to it.

Where can I buy cheap Halloween costumes?

Costume specialists like Spirit Halloween and Costumes.com offer the widest range and regular promo codes, while Target, Walmart and Amazon are strong for value costumes and fast post-Halloween clearance.

How much is Halloween clearance after October 31?

Markdowns usually start around 50% off on November 1 and reach up to 70% off within three to four days, though remaining stock is very limited.

How can I save the most on a Halloween costume?

Stack a coupon code on top of a sale or BOGO offer, sign up for retailer newsletters for welcome discounts, and buy next year's costume during the November clearance.