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This is When Trick-or-Treating Officially Starts Near You

Photo credit: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images
Photo credit: Ariel Skelley/Getty Images


"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below."

While planning your Halloween costume, DIYing crafts and carving pumpkins is essential to make the most of this spooky season, you can't forget about the fun that comes along with trick-or-treating. This is a creative and enjoyable time where kids scramble to transform into their favorite cute, scary or silly cartoon characters and ghouls. From vampires and ghosts to werewolves and mummies, the ideas they come up with seem endless. So to ensure your little ones are seen in their best outfits, we're answering the big question everyone wants to know: What time does trick-or-treating start near me?

While curfews and special rules were in effect during the height of the pandemic, many cities have lifted their COVID-19 restrictions. This opened the door for a safer trick-or-treating experience. In addition, Dr. Anthony Fauci recommends that people should consider getting vaccinated if they haven't already, as getting vaccinated is crucial to lowering or eliminating many risks associated with life-threatening COVID-19 symptoms.

Most trick-or-treaters start their trek at sunset — in most cases, around 5:30 or 6 p.m. in your local time zone. If you plan on traveling, the Farmer's Almanac's Sunrise and Sunset calculator can help determine when you should get started based on your location.

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Barring any curfews or local ordinances, it's usually expected that wee ghouls and goblins can show up at your doorstep up until 9 p.m., or until you've run out of candy. Using your porch light (or adding one if you don't have one yet!) can help signal that you're "open" to passing out candy, as well as other markers like Teal Pumpkins or Purple Pumpkins.

Before you make plans, be sure to check in to see what kind of guidelines your town, municipality, or state have put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19. You'll find up-to-date information, including any curfews or mandates, from your local public health department. You may also find guidance from leading health officials on Halloween safety from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the World Health Organization.

Photo credit: Aleli Dimaculangan/Getty Images
Photo credit: Aleli Dimaculangan/Getty Images

Trick-or-Treat hours in areas across the country:

Each city can vastly differ in local guidelines for trick-or-treating on their streets, but there's a general window in mind for most Americans. A 2015 poll conducted by FiveThirtyEight suggests that most Americans agreed that trick-or-treaters should start arriving by 6 p.m. and be finished by 9 p.m. at the latest.

Here's when Trick-or-Treating usually occurs in the following cities:

  • Atlanta: Families usually are going from door to door starting at 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., per local publications.

  • Boston: Neighborhood festivities start at 5 p.m. and run through 8 p.m., according to local outlets.

  • Chicago: Neighborhood festivities can start as early as 3 p.m. and run through 7 p.m. on average, per NBC Chicago.

  • Cincinnati: Last year's hours ranged between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m., per local outlets.

  • Cleveland: Neighborhood activities take place from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m., according to local outlets.

  • Denver: Some areas kick off door-to-door trick-or-treating at 3:30 p.m., but city neighborhoods often continue activities until 7 p.m., according to local NBC affiliates.

  • Indianapolis: Neighborhoods are hosting trick-or-treaters from 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m. in some areas, per the Indy Star.

  • Las Vegas: Neighborhoods laying beyond the strip (which has a host of activities for all ages this year) usually welcome trick-or-treaters from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

  • New York City: This city has not released any information regarding trick-or-treating times as of yet.

  • Philadelphia: Kids and teens alike should be able to collect candy starting at 6 p.m. through 8 p.m., if not longer, according to Patriot-News reports.

  • Phoenix: Neighborhoods surrounding metro Phoenix welcome trick-or-treaters from 5 p.m. through 7:30 p.m., per local outlets.

  • Pittsburgh: Neighborhood activities take place from 6 p.m. through 8 p.m., according to local outlets.

  • San Antonio: Younger children can start trick-or-treating as early as 4:30 p.m. Older kids seem to start their journey around 7 p.m.

  • San Diego: 6 p.m.

  • San Francisco: 6 p.m.

  • San Jose: The city has not released any information regarding trick-or-treating times as of yet.

  • Seattle: Little ones can start trick-or-treating as early as 4 p.m., with neighborhood activities extending past 7 p.m. usually, according to this local NBC affiliate.

  • Washington D.C.: Neighborhood activities take place from 5:30 p.m. through 9 p.m., according to local outlets.

Before you head out, remember to bring a flashlight, look both ways before crossing the road and make sure your family stays together on streets, per Safe Kids Worldwide. And if you choose to stay in altogether, don't fret — there are plenty of ways to celebrate Halloween at home this year. Check out our best ideas below.

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