Americans are gearing up for a robust Halloween in 2025, with plans for multiple costumes, increased spending, and a significant rise in home and workplace decorations. That’s according to a new survey from HalloweenCostumes.com, the world’s largest online-only costume retailer.
The “Halloween in America” survey, which polled over 1,000 adults across the United States, suggests the spooky season’s spirit is in rude health. A significant 30% of respondents plan to wear two or more costumes this year, pointing to a rise in separate celebrations for work, parties, and family events.
Financial commitments to the holiday remain strong. While just over half (51%) of those surveyed intend to spend the same as last year, a notable 22% are planning to increase their Halloween budget. This indicates a healthy appetite for costumes, decorations, and party supplies.
One of the most dramatic shifts is the boom in decorating. The survey reveals that 68% of people now decorate the outside of their homes, a significant increase from 62% in 2023 and 30% in 2022. Indoor decorating has seen a similar surge, now at 61% compared to just 26% in 2022. This enthusiasm is extending to garages, cars, and offices as people embrace the festive spirit in every part of their lives. Pumpkins remain the top decoration choice, followed by the growing popularity of animatronics and inflatables.
Halloween in the workplace has also seen a startling increase in participation. The survey reports that 51% of workplaces now hand out sweets, and 48% decorate their spaces. This is more than triple the engagement reported just a few years ago.
When it comes to finding inspiration, online searches on Google and Bing are the primary starting point for 33% of people, a sharp increase from 20% in the previous year. Friends and family remain a key influence (21%), while 8% of planners are now turning to AI tools like ChatGPT and Gemini for ideas.
Pop culture continues to heavily influence costume choices. The survey predicts that costumes inspired by musicians Taylor Swift (26%) and Sabrina Carpenter (23%) will be the most widespread celebrity outfits this year. As for the overall mood, Americans are favouring lighter themes, with ‘cute and cozy’ (25%), ‘funny’ (23%), and ‘nostalgic’ (16%) vibes outweighing traditional scary themes (19%).
The survey’s publisher, HalloweenCostumes.com, was founded in 1992 as a small family-owned rental business in Minnesota by Julie and Lisa Fallenstein. The company’s co-founder and CEO, Tom Fallenstein, moved the business online in 2001, where it has since grown into a global operation with over 10,000 product lines.
