Decorations
Kohl’s
Kohl’s Halloween decoration selection is more substantial than most shoppers expect, and the deal ecosystem that makes it great for clothing applies here too: Sale prices plus coupons plus Kohl’s Cash stacking together into genuine savings on seasonal home decor. Its selection covers indoor tabletop pieces, string lights, throw pillows and seasonal accent decor, which is everything you need to bring Halloween inside without committing to a full yard haunt. For budget-conscious Halloween decorating with the added bonus of Kohl’s Cash on your purchase, Kohl’s is a smart stop.
Lowe’s
Lowe’s has stepped up its seasonal decoration game in recent years, and its Halloween section now carries a strong selection of outdoor yard decor, inflatables, animatronics and large-scale props for shoppers who want their front yard to make a statement. Its pricing is competitive with other home improvement retailers, and the store runs seasonal promotions tied to the Halloween shopping window. For large outdoor Halloween displays and yard decorations, Lowe’s is a strong option.
Target
Target’s Halloween decoration selection is strong across every scale and price point, from a single $3 felt pumpkin to a full front-porch display. Its Hyde & Eek! Boutique house brand delivers trend-forward Halloween decor at accessible prices, and the quality has steadily improved over recent years. For shoppers who want a coordinated decoration aesthetic without paying boutique prices, Target is the most consistent option.
Hobby Lobby
Hobby Lobby is the crafters’ Halloween destination. Its seasonal section fills up early with wreaths, floral picks, foam pumpkins, painting supplies and DIY decoration materials alongside ready-made Halloween decor. Its 40% off single-item coupon available through the Hobby Lobby app applies to regular-price items and makes it one of the better value destinations for decoration shopping when you’re able to time your purchases strategically. For hands-on decorators who want to make their own Halloween pieces, Hobby Lobby has the deepest selection of raw materials and inspiration.
Overstock
Overstock carries a solid selection of Halloween and fall home decor at off-price markdowns (think indoor accent pieces, seasonal textiles, throw pillows and tabletop decorations at prices below what you’d find at full-price retailers). Its Halloween section skews toward interior decorating rather than yard displays, making it a complementary stop to a large-format outdoor retailer like Lowe’s. For shoppers who want to refresh their indoor Halloween decor without paying full retail price, Overstock is worth checking out.
Candy and Food
Sam’s Club
Sam’s Club is the smartest place to buy Halloween candy for trick-or-treating quantities. Its bulk candy assortments (large mixed bags of name-brand miniatures) are priced at some of the lowest per-unit costs available anywhere, and the sheer volume means you’re not rationing candy at 7 p.m. when the night is only half over. Sam’s Club typically puts Halloween candy out in September, giving early shoppers plenty of lead time.
Oriental Trading Company
Oriental Trading Company is the go-to for Halloween party supplies and non-candy treat alternatives such as small toys, novelty items, seasonal favors and bulk party goods that make it possible to hand out something other than sugar on Halloween night. It’s particularly useful for households with young children who prefer to skip the candy entirely and for party hosts who need themed tableware decorations and take-home favor bags all in one place. Oriental Trading Company runs Halloween promotions throughout October, and its bulk pricing makes large-quantity party supply orders very manageable.
Walgreens and CVS
Both pharmacy chains are strong Halloween candy destinations with deep selections of name-brand candy and frequent promotions that bring prices down significantly in the weeks before Halloween. Walgreens and CVS also both run post-Halloween candy clearance events that make stocking up for next year tempting. For picking up last-minute candy supplies on Oct. 30, Walgreens and CVS are the most convenient options for most shoppers.
Nuts.com
Nuts.com is the Halloween candy destination for households that want to hand out something genuinely different. Beyond its namesake product, the site carries a wide range of Halloween candy novelty treats and seasonal confections, including bulk options that are perfect for trick-or-treating and party-hosting alike. For shoppers who want a more curated and unexpected candy selection than the standard big-box assortment, Nuts.com is a fun and flavorful alternative.
Stack Rakuten Cash Back on Your Halloween Purchases
Halloween spending adds up across three distinct categories, and Rakuten Cash Back adds up right alongside it.
Every store in this guide is a Rakuten partner, which means eligible purchases earn Cash Back deposited into your Rakuten account and paid out quarterly. That Cash Back stacks on top of whatever sale, promotion or coupon code is already running, so when Target has a Halloween promotion active and you’ve got Target Circle rewards ready to apply, Rakuten Cash Back earns on the same transaction simultaneously.
And the Rakuten browser extension handles it all automatically. The extension activates when you land on a participating store’s page, surfaces any verified coupon codes and applies the best available one at checkout, all while Cash Back accumulates in the background. For a full Halloween haul across costumes, decorations and candy, that Cash Back adds up to a useful amount before the holiday even arrives.
Check Rakuten before every Halloween order. The holiday only comes once a year, so make every dollar work.
FAQs About Halloween Shopping
When should I start shopping for Halloween?
Late September through early October is the ideal window for costumes and specific decorations, since selection is at its best and you won’t have to scramble at the last minute. For bulk candy and nonspecific decorations, waiting until mid to late October often unlocks better deals as retailers run promotions to move seasonal inventory before the holiday.
Can I earn Rakuten Cash Back on Halloween purchases?
Yes, at participating Rakuten partner stores. Activate Cash Back through the Rakuten app, website or browser extension before checking out to earn on eligible purchases. Cash Back stacks on top of sale prices and any coupon codes already applied to your order.
What are good non-candy alternatives for trick-or-treaters?
Oriental Trading Company is the strongest source for non-candy Halloween handouts, such as small toys, novelty items, seasonal stickers and themed favor items that kids enjoy and parents of kids with allergies or dietary restrictions particularly appreciate. Buying in bulk through Oriental Trading Company makes the per-unit cost manageable even for high-traffic trick-or-treating neighborhoods.
Where can I find a last-minute Halloween costume?
Target is the most reliable last-minute option. Its stores carry costumes through Halloween and same-day pickup means you won’t have to wait on shipping. Costumes.com and Halloweencostumes.com both offer expedited shipping options for online orders placed close to the holiday. For the absolute last minute, a well-chosen accessory (a witch hat, a pair of cat ears, a vampire cape) from a local drugstore or dollar store can pull together a convincing costume in minutes.
Are there Halloween deals after Oct. 31?
Yes, and they can be significant. Most retailers run post-Halloween clearance starting Nov. 1 with discounts of 50% to 75% off costumes, decorations and seasonal merchandise. This is the best time to stock up on decorations for next year and to grab any costumes you may reuse for future Halloween parties. The selection will be picked over, but the prices make it worth a look.