If you’re planning to celebrate Halloween with your kids, you’re probably wondering what time trick or treat starts. Trick-or-treat hours can vary depending on how old your kids are. Younger children may need to start earlier so they won’t stay up too late. After all, they need to have enough sleep. You can use baby monitors to observe their sleep patterns and detect any problems that may require attention.
This guide will explore common trick-or-treating hours for young children, teens, and older groups. It will also cover tips for planning your schedule and how local rules can affect your plans. You will find advice on safety and signs that it’s time to go home.
General Guidelines for Trick-or-Treating Hours
What time trick or treat usually starts from 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm on Halloween night, but it is better for younger kids to start earlier than that so they can get to bed on time, and you can keep an eye on them using baby monitors. Before trick-or-treating, you need to learn and teach your kids the following standard etiquette rules below:
- The “Porch Light” rule: Only visit houses with their porch lights on. If you notice a house with no lights on, the residents might be either not home or not participating in Halloween.
- The “One Ring” rule: Knock on the door or ring the doorbell once. If no one answers or opens the door, move on to the next house.
- End early: Finish trick-or-treating early by 8:00 pm or 9:00 pm to respect school night bedtimes. Usually, candy supplies also run out during these hours.
- Maintain visibility: You should put reflective tape on your kid’s costume so you can spot them easily when it gets dark or if they get lost in crowds. Let them carry flashlights or glow sticks so drivers can see them clearly.
- Prioritize safety: Make sure your kid’s costume is safe and fits them properly. Never let your child out of your sight if they are under the age of 12. Always use sidewalks, cross at corners, and avoid mid-block crossings.
Typical Start Times for Younger Children and Toddlers
Around 4:30 pm to 5:30 pm is what time trick or treat starts for infants and toddlers of ages 3 to 5 so they can finish before sunset and avoid large crowds. During these hours, some residents may not be home from their work yet so only visit houses where people are clearly at home and greeting trick-or-treaters.
Keeping the trick-or-treating hours short or about an hour, and only visiting homes within a block or two can help prevent younger kids from becoming overstimulated. It also helps them get to bed on time and have the sleep they need for healthy development. Using baby monitors to keep an eye on them at night can help track their sleep patterns.
Sunset and Visibility: Planning Your Route Around Dusk
Along with finding out what time trick or treat starts before or after sunset, you also need to plan your trick-or-treating route. Map out the route you and your kid will take in advance. Make sure to only go to familiar neighborhoods with sidewalks and streetlights just to be safe. Let your child take a short nap with baby monitors nearby so they’ll feel rested before heading out.
Always keep an eye on your kid while trick-or-treating, stay alert, and avoid distractions like cell phones when walking. Remind them to only walk from house to house, and not run to avoid accidents.
Official City and Municipal Time Windows for 2025
Some cities have specific schedules for when trick-or-treating starts and ends to improve safety and manage traffic. The most common time window is from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm local time, while many suburban areas follow a broader window of 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm Usually, trick-or-treating starts depending on what time the sunset actually begins.
If you want to know what time trick or treat starts and ends in your area, reach out to your city office, local school, or neighborhood group. You should start as early as 4:00 pm to 4:30 pm if you have a younger kid. Don’t let them stay out for too long or too far from your house. There is a chance they may get overstimulated from interacting with people during trick-or-treating, so you can use baby monitors to watch their behavior and cues once they rest at home.
Understanding the Impact of Halloween Falling on a Friday
When Halloween falls on Friday, the start and end of trick-or-treating can change. The trick-or-treating hours can be extended because there is no school the next day and most families stay out late. Using baby monitors while your child naps helps you know they are well-rested for an extended Halloween night. Older children and teenagers may stay out until 9:00 pm or 10:00 pm.
Since Friday is statistically the most dangerous night for Halloween road fatalities, it is safer to plan ahead and decide early what time trick or treat should end. There are approximately 22% more fatal crashes on a Friday Halloween compared to a typical Friday. Keeping a close eye on your child and finishing trick-or-treating earlier helps reduce risk.
Signs a House is Finished Giving Out Candy
The most obvious sign that someone’s home is done giving out candy is when their porch light is off. Other signs can include the door staying shut even after you knock or ring the doorbell, the candy bowl outside the house being empty, or Halloween decorations being removed. If the lights inside the house are out, the residents may be retiring for the night, or not home.
In most neighborhoods, what time trick or treat usually ends is around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM. Your children should already be home by then. They can start getting ready for bed and rest after a busy Halloween night. You can quietly monitor their sleep using baby monitors to make sure they are having a peaceful rest.
Safety Considerations for Late-Night Trick-or-Treating
During Halloween night, the surroundings are dark and the streets are crowded with people, making it challenging for you to keep an eye on your kid. It is best to know what time trick or treat is the safest and start early, when it is not too dark yet and there are fewer people around. Here are some safety tips you can try in case you go late-night trick-or-treating with your kid:
- Stranger safety: You should teach your child to never enter a home or car for treats. Never take your eyes off your child.
- Use safe walking habits: Tell your kid to walk and not run, stick to sidewalks, and cross only at corners or crosswalks.
- Follow the “Buddy” rule: Do not let your child go trick-or treating alone. Kids who are under 12 years old should be under adult supervision, while older children and teenagers should stay in groups.
- Choose smart costumes: You should let your kid use non-toxic face paint instead of wearing a mask because masks can block their vision in the dark on Halloween night. Add a reflective tape on their outfit or candy bag. Their costume should fit well and not drag on the ground to prevent tripping.
- Set a clear end time: You should set a firm return time for your kid before they go trick-or-treating. Once your child comes back home, use baby monitors to check if ever they are showing signs of overtiredness after returning.
Recommended End Times for Teens and Older Groups
Older groups usually wait until it gets dark which is around 6:30 pm to 7:00 pm to begin trick or treating. This is because they may find it a more appropriate time to be “spooky.” What time trick or treat ends for teens and older groups is typically around 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm. Don’t let your teenager go trick-or-treating alone. They should also use a buddy system and tell you their intended route.
Some areas have official Halloween curfew hours for minors, so if you have a teen, check local city rules to help set a safe return time. Make sure their phones are fully charged so you can talk to them while they go trick-or-treating. If you have other younger children and they are already home, you can use baby monitors to check on them while you wait for your teen to return.