AP-NORC Poll Reveals How Americans Plan to Celebrate Halloween This Year
A recent survey conducted by The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research provides new insights into how Americans intend to observe Halloween. The nationwide poll, conducted in mid-October, reveals that nearly two-thirds of adults across the United States are planning some form of Halloween celebration in 2025, with participation particularly high among parents of children under 18.
Communities across the country are embracing Halloween festivities, with many residents decorating their homes and preparing for the influx of trick-or-treaters. In towns with a tradition of spooky celebrations, residents are actively involved in organizing parades, decorating yards, and distributing treats. Some neighborhoods are known to attract large numbers of children seeking candy, with individual households reporting hundreds or even thousands of visitors.
The poll indicates that the vast majority of households will opt for traditional candy when greeting trick-or-treaters. Only a small percentage, approximately 5%, plan to offer healthier snacks as an alternative. Additionally, while dressing up pets remains relatively uncommon, about 9% of adults say they will include their animals in the holiday fun with costumes.
Parents with young children are particularly enthusiastic about Halloween. The survey found that approximately 80% of parents with children under 18 will partake in the festivities. These parents are more likely than the general adult population to accompany their children while trick-or-treating, ensure their children wear costumes, and don costumes themselves. Popular costume choices for families include characters from well-known films, television series, and video games.
For some households, Halloween is a time of creative expression and extended celebration. Decorative displays featuring witches, skeletons, and themed lighting are common, with about 30% of respondents indicating they would display Halloween decorations inside or outside their homes. Around a quarter of adults plan to carve pumpkins as part of the tradition.
Many adults also incorporate Halloween-themed entertainment into their celebrations. The survey shows that roughly one-third of respondents plan to watch scary movies as part of their Halloween activities. While some prefer classic horror films, others enjoy cult favorites or lighter, campy productions.
Not all Americans go to great lengths to celebrate Halloween, but many still participate in lower-key ways. Some adults attend parties or gatherings with friends, choose simple costumes, or maintain annual traditions such as watching themed films together. Others choose not to decorate extensively or host events, but remain open to deeper involvement in future years, especially as family circumstances change.
The AP-NORC poll was conducted using a representative sample of 1,289 U.S. adults, ensuring broad geographical and demographic coverage. The margin of sampling error for the survey is plus or minus 3.8 percentage points, reflecting a high level of confidence in the results. The findings highlight the enduring popularity of Halloween as an occasion for social connection, creativity, and community engagement across the United States.