Hold onto your witch hats, because America's love for Halloween is about to cast an even bigger spell on our wallets, with projected spending soaring to a record $11.6 billion in 2024.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, total U.S. Halloween spending reached $10.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase from $9.9 billion in 2022
- Projected U.S. Halloween consumer spending for 2024 is $11.6 billion, up 9.4% from 2023 according to NRF survey of 6,500 consumers
- Average Halloween spending per U.S. consumer in 2023 was $108.24, with 70% of Americans participating
- Total U.S. candy spending for Halloween 2023 forecasted at $3.5 billion by Packaged Facts
- 95% of U.S. families with children under 12 bought Halloween candy in 2023, averaging $35 per family
- Chocolate candy accounted for 68% of Halloween candy sales, totaling $2.38 billion in 2023 U.S. market
- U.S. Halloween costume spending totaled $3.8 billion in 2023, with adults driving 40% growth
- 69% of Americans planned to wear costumes in 2023, average spend $48.10 per person
- Children's costumes accounted for 37% of total costume market, $1.4 billion in U.S. 2023 sales
- U.S. Halloween decorations spending hit $4.4 billion in 2023, largest category at 41% of total
- 52% of consumers bought decorations, averaging $34.30 per household in 2023
- Inflatable lawn decorations sales reached $1.1 billion in U.S. Halloween market 2023
- U.S. Halloween party supplies spending reached $480 million in 2023, including invitations and tableware
- Greeting cards for Halloween generated $50 million in sales during 2023 season
- Event tickets for haunted attractions totaled $350 million in U.S. Halloween spending 2023
Americans spent more than ever on Halloween in 2023, with candy, costumes, and decorations driving growth.
Candy & Sweets
- Total U.S. candy spending for Halloween 2023 forecasted at $3.5 billion by Packaged Facts
- 95% of U.S. families with children under 12 bought Halloween candy in 2023, averaging $35 per family
- Chocolate candy accounted for 68% of Halloween candy sales, totaling $2.38 billion in 2023 U.S. market
- Average spend on Halloween candy per participating U.S. household in 2022 was $31.79
- Non-chocolate candy sales for Halloween reached $1.12 billion in U.S. 2023, up 5% YoY
- 67% of U.S. consumers planned to buy Halloween candy in 2024, spending $12 billion total on sweets
- Gummy candies saw 12% sales growth for Halloween 2023, contributing $450 million to U.S. market
- Millennial parents spent $42 on average on Halloween candy in 2023, highest demographic
- 2023 U.S. Halloween candy imports from Mexico totaled $250 million, boosting supply
- Novelty candies like glow-in-the-dark treats generated $180 million in Halloween sales 2023
- Sour candies sales for Halloween surged 15% to $320 million in U.S. 2023
- Premium chocolate bars for trick-or-treating hit $210 million sales Halloween 2023
- Fun-size candy packs dominated with 72% market share, $2.5B in 2023 U.S. Halloween
- Organic and natural Halloween candies grew to $180 million sales in 2023
- 48% of candy spend was on variety packs averaging $28 per purchase in 2023
- Peanut butter cups led chocolate category with $890 million Halloween sales 2023
- Hard candies declined 8% to $620 million in U.S. Halloween 2023 sales
- Share-size candy bars sold $340 million for parties in Halloween 2023
- Low-sugar candies grew 22% to $140 million Halloween market 2023 U.S.
- Imported gummy bears from Europe hit $85 million Halloween imports 2023
- King-size candy bars contributed $410 million to bulk buys 2023 Halloween
- Vegan Halloween candies reached $95 million sales in 2023 U.S. market
Candy & Sweets Interpretation
America may be divided on politics, but we are united in our annual, $3.5 billion, chocolate-coated tribute to the trick-or-treat gods, a sugary ritual where fun-size reigns supreme, millennial parents overspend with glee, and even the candy itself is evolving—souring up, going organic, and getting vegan—all to appease the tiny costumed overlords ringing our doorbells.
Costumes
- U.S. Halloween costume spending totaled $3.8 billion in 2023, with adults driving 40% growth
- 69% of Americans planned to wear costumes in 2023, average spend $48.10 per person
- Children's costumes accounted for 37% of total costume market, $1.4 billion in U.S. 2023 sales
- Pet costumes sales reached $700 million in 2023, up 13% from prior year
- Online costume purchases made up 52% of sales, totaling $1.98 billion for Halloween 2023
- Pop culture costumes from movies/TV drove 55% of adult costume sales, $1.2B in 2023
- Average spend on kids' costumes was $38.50 in 2023 U.S. households
- Couples costumes sales grew 18% to $450 million in 2023 market
- Vintage and DIY costume kits sold $320 million online for Halloween 2023
- Superhero costumes generated $680 million in U.S. sales during Halloween 2023 season
- Adult costumes averaged $52.60 spend per person in U.S. 2023 Halloween
- 17% of Americans bought costumes for pets, $700M total 2023
- Group costumes for parties sold $240 million in 2023 U.S. market
- Historical figure costumes rose 20% to $190 million sales Halloween 2023
- Rental costumes from services like Rent the Runway hit $45 million for Halloween 2023
- TV show-themed costumes generated $520 million in licensed sales 2023
- Princess costumes for girls remained top seller at $380 million U.S. 2023
- Video game character costumes led with $420 million in licensed sales 2023
- Sports team costumes sold $160 million during Halloween 2023 season
- Animal costumes for kids hit $280 million U.S. sales Halloween 2023
- Horror movie icons generated $750 million in costume revenue 2023
- Plus-size costumes market grew to $240 million in 2023 Halloween sales
- Custom 3D-printed costumes sold $75 million online Halloween 2023
- Witch costumes remained evergreen at $510 million U.S. Halloween 2023
Costumes Interpretation
Americans are so dedicated to Halloween escapism that we collectively spent nearly $4 billion to temporarily become someone—or something—else, with adults leading the charge by pouring over a billion dollars into pop culture personas, while also proving our devotion extends to dressing our pets and partners, all increasingly from the digital comfort of our couches.
Decorations & Props
- U.S. Halloween decorations spending hit $4.4 billion in 2023, largest category at 41% of total
- 52% of consumers bought decorations, averaging $34.30 per household in 2023
- Inflatable lawn decorations sales reached $1.1 billion in U.S. Halloween market 2023
- Animated props and fog machines contributed $850 million to 2023 Halloween decor sales
- Smart LED Halloween lights sales up 25% to $420 million in 2023
- Pumpkin carving kits and faux pumpkins sold $280 million during Halloween 2023 U.S.
- Haunted house prop kits generated $650 million in direct-to-consumer sales 2023
- Eco-friendly decorations made from recycled materials hit $150 million sales in 2023
- Yard signs and stakes for Halloween displays totaled $310 million in U.S. 2023 sales
- Window clings and silhouettes contributed $95 million to Halloween decor market 2023
- Skeleton decorations outsold all others with $450 million in U.S. Halloween 2023
- Battery-operated Halloween props reached $290 million sales in 2023 season
- Graveyard scene kits contributed $410 million to decor market 2023 U.S.
- Solar-powered Halloween lights sold 1.2 million units for $75 million in 2023
- Life-size animatronics generated $560 million in premium decor sales 2023
- Blacklight Halloween posters and murals hit $110 million sales 2023
- Faux spider webs purchased by 40% of decorators, $140M total 2023 U.S.
- Ghost projections for homes sold 500k units for $125 million in 2023
- Motion-activated props reached $380 million sales Halloween 2023 U.S.
- Orange and black fabric banners contributed $210 million to decor 2023
- UV reactive paints for Halloween displays hit $65 million sales 2023
- Cemetery fence props sold $190 million in yard decor Halloween 2023
- Programmable LED strips for Halloween used in 2M homes, $160M 2023
- Pumpkin light projectors generated $240 million sales season 2023 U.S.
- Balloon decorations for Halloween parties sold $85 million in 2023
Decorations & Props Interpretation
Apparently, we have collectively agreed that the best way to confront our mortality is to spend billions turning our front yards into blinking, fog-blowing, skeleton-packed electric carnivals that our neighbors will judge us for if we don't.
Other
- U.S. Halloween party supplies spending reached $480 million in 2023, including invitations and tableware
- Greeting cards for Halloween generated $50 million in sales during 2023 season
- Event tickets for haunted attractions totaled $350 million in U.S. Halloween spending 2023
- Pumpkin patch visits drove $1.2 billion in agritourism revenue for Halloween 2023
- Home party hosting costs averaged $75 per U.S. household celebrating Halloween 2023
- Trunk-or-treat event supplies sold $120 million in 2023 U.S. market
- Makeup and face paint for Halloween parties reached $370 million sales in 2023
- Fall festival admissions contributed $800 million to Halloween-related spending 2023
- Halloween greeting cards and invitations sold $55 million in 2023 peak season
- Professional makeup artists earned $250 million from Halloween gigs in 2023 U.S.
- Corn maze admissions totaled $420 million for Halloween events 2023
- Party games and activities kits sold $180 million during Halloween 2023
- Hayride event tickets contributed $310 million to seasonal spending 2023
- Themed party beverages non-alcoholic hit $95 million sales Halloween 2023
- Escape room Halloween themes generated $220 million in 2023 revenue U.S.
- Costume jewelry and accessories added $320 million to Halloween spending 2023
- Haunted hayride props and setups cost operators $150 million in 2023
- Virtual Halloween events via Zoom generated $40 million in ticket sales 2023
- Pumpkin spice products beyond food hit $280 million Halloween tie-ins 2023
- Karaoke machine rentals for parties $25 million Halloween 2023 U.S.
- Photo booth setups for Halloween events totaled $110 million 2023 spend
Other Interpretation
Americans spent 2023 proving that the true horror of Halloween isn't the ghosts but the collective bill, which reveals we'd rather bankrupt ourselves on pumpkin patches and professional zombies than ever, ever be accused of not having enough themed napkins.
Total Market Spending
- In 2023, total U.S. Halloween spending reached $10.6 billion, marking a 6.9% increase from $9.9 billion in 2022
- Projected U.S. Halloween consumer spending for 2024 is $11.6 billion, up 9.4% from 2023 according to NRF survey of 6,500 consumers
- Average Halloween spending per U.S. consumer in 2023 was $108.24, with 70% of Americans participating
- U.S. Halloween retail sales totaled $9.1 billion in October 2022, driven by seasonal merchandise
- Global Halloween market size estimated at $7.4 billion in 2022, projected to grow to $12.3 billion by 2030 at 6.5% CAGR
- U.S. households planned to spend $480 on average for Halloween decorations and events in 2023, contributing to overall market growth
- Total Halloween spending by millennials in the U.S. reached $3.2 billion in 2023, representing 30% of total spend
- 2022 U.S. Halloween e-commerce sales hit $2.8 billion, 31% of total spending
- NRF estimates 101 million Americans celebrated Halloween in 2023, driving $10.6B spend
- U.S. Halloween spending per capita was $32.10 in 2023, up from $29.50 in 2022
- In 2022, total U.S. Halloween spending was $9.9 billion with candy at $3.1B, costumes $3.1B, decorations $3.7B
- 2021 Halloween spending rebounded to $9 billion after COVID dip, per NRF data
- Pre-pandemic peak Halloween spend was $10.3 billion in 2019 U.S. market
- Gen Z contributed $1.8 billion to 2023 Halloween total, 17% share
- Boomers spent $1.5 billion on Halloween 2023, focusing on decorations
- Hispanic consumers spent 22% above average on Halloween 2023, totaling $1.3B
- 2020 COVID-impacted Halloween spending dropped to $5 billion total U.S.
- 2018 Halloween spend peaked at $9.1 billion with strong candy sales
- Urban areas saw 15% higher Halloween spending per capita at $38 in 2023
- Suburban households averaged $125 total Halloween spend in 2023 survey
- Rural U.S. Halloween spending totaled $850 million in 2023, lower density
- Online-only Halloween shoppers spent $82 average in 2023
Total Market Spending Interpretation
Americans are proving with alarming financial commitment that the true spirit of Halloween is no longer just a spooky feeling, but the palpable terror of checking your bank statement after buying enough plastic skeletons to outfit a small cemetery.
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