- Halloween is this weekend — and some cities are spookier than others.
- WalletHub released a report ranking the best cities to celebrate Halloween across the US.
- The best place to partake in Halloween fun is New York City.
Got your candy corn and costumes ready?
Halloween is this weekend, and that means that millions of people across the country will spend billions of dollarson costumes, decorations, candy, and events to celebrate the holiday.
WalletHub released a ranking of the best cities to celebrate Halloween across the country.
They used 20 key metrics, such as Halloween costume stores per capita, walkability, haunted houses per capita, population density, and average Halloween weather. These were separated into three main categories: Trick-or-Treater Friendliness, Halloween Fun, and Halloween Weather.
Here are the top 15 cities in the US to celebrate Halloween.
15. Saint Paul, Minnesota
At the Como Park Zoo "ZooBoo" early evening Sunday, 2 and a half year old Leonie Crane, riding on her dads, Anton Crane, shoulders, trick-or-treated along with several thousand other young kids. ZooBoo is fund raiser for the Como Park Zoo and Conservatory. It is a non-scary Halloween festival for families. For this unique event, Como Zoo is transformed into a world of fairytales and fun. Over 200 costumed characters mingle and interact with children along an outdoor ZooBoo path
David Brewster/Star Tribune via Getty Images
Saint Paul, the capital of Minnesota, ranked sixth for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness.
You can learn more about celebrating Halloween in Saint Paul here.
14. San Diego, California
General view of the atmosphere at Mr. Jack O'Lantern's Pumpkin Patch on October 09, 2021 in La Jolla, California.
Daniel Knighton/Getty Images
San Diego placed in the top 10 for Halloween Fun rankings, meaning there's a lot to do to celebrate this holiday. Here's a list of some events happening this weekend.
13. Orlando, Florida
A general view of the atmosphere during Halloween Horror Nights opening at Universal Studios Resort on September 06, 2019 in Orlando, Florida.
Gerardo Mora/Getty Images
Of course, Orlando has Universal Studios and Disney World, two theme parks that go all out to celebrate Halloween.
That's why the city placed No. 2 for Halloween Fun. It was, however, brought down by the lack of trick-or-treater friendliness.
12. Washington, DC
US President Donald Trump, center left, and First Lady Melania Trump, center right, arrive for a Halloween event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC, US, on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.
Stefani Reynolds/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Fun fact: Of all the cities surveyed, DC has the fewest costume stores per capita.
DC's high score comes from Halloween Weather, in which it placed eighth.
11. Gilbert, Arizona
A NASCAR fan with Halloween make-up walks the grid during practice for the NASCAR Cup Series Championship at Phoenix Raceway on October 31, 2025 in Avondale, Arizona.
James Gilbert/Getty Images
Gilbert came in fourth for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness, which makes sense.
The Phoenix suburb also ranked fourth for potential for trick-or-treaters, fifth for potential for trick-or-treat stops, and had the lowest crime rate of all the cities surveyed, per WalletHub.
You can see a full list of Gilbert Halloween activities here.
10. Newark, New Jersey
Children pose for a photo during Halloween festivities prior to the game between the New Jersey Devils and the New York Islanders at the Prudential Center on October 31, 2015 in Newark, New Jersey.
Andy Marlin/NHLI via Getty Images
Newark ranked fifth for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness but has the fourth-lowest number of costume shops per capita.
Eventbrite has a list of fun things to do in the Newark area this weekend.
9. San Francisco, California
A man is seen in costume and make up during Halloween night on Castro Street of San Francisco in California, United States on October 31, 2024.
Tayfun Coskun/Anadolu via Getty Images
San Francisco had relatively high placements across the three categories, but the city has the second-lowest potential for trick-or-treaters.
Check out more to do in SF and the wider Bay Area here.
8. Boston, Massachusetts
Pedro Martinez wearing injured Red sox (#41) Jim Consi's number while entertaining teammates by coming out into dugout wearing what appeared to be a "Yoda" Halloween mask. Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park.
Jim Davis/The Boston Globe/Getty Images
Boston ranked at No. 3 for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness — but there's plenty to do besides beg for candy from your neighbors.
7. Anaheim, California
Halloween decorations on Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland in Anaheim, CA, on Friday, September 3, 2021.
Jeff Gritchen/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images
Much like Orlando, Anaheim is boosted by the presence of Disneyland, which goes all in on Halloween, just like Disney World.
6. Miami, Florida
Miami Beach, Florida, Normandy Isle Fountain plaza, annual Halloween community event activities.
: Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
To no one's surprise, Miami placed sixth for Halloween Fun — and with this list, you can see for yourself why it's one of the best places to be.
5. Chicago, Illinois
Performers take part in the Arts in the Dark Halloween Parade along Columbus Drive in Grant Park on October 24, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois, United States.
Jacek Boczarski/Anadolu via Getty Images
Chicago was in the top 20 across all three categories, with its highest placement being No. 13 for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness.
4. Las Vegas, Nevada
Sphere lights up with the words "Sphere of Fear" on October 30, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
It's no surprise that Las Vegas, one of the entertainment capitals of the US, ranked at No. 1 for Halloween Fun. Sin City tied for first in number of costume stores and candy stores per capita.
The city helpfully compiled a list of everything happening in Vegas this weekend here.
3. Jersey City, New Jersey
People picking pumpkins at Alstede Farms.
Noam Galai/Getty Images
Jersey City ranked No. 1 overall for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness, due to its second-highest population density and fourth-highest walkability score.
Here's a list of things you can do to celebrate Halloween in Jersey City.
2. Los Angeles, California
Malachi Archibong, 4, of Mar Vista chooses a pumpkin while browsing the many choices at Mr. Bones Pumpkin Patch on October 10, 2026 in Culver City, CA.
Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Los Angeles placed second for its high number of pumpkin patches per capita, its high walkability score, and the 11th-most amusement parks per capita.
If that seems overwhelming, the city of LA has a guide of all the Halloween activities.
1. New York, New York
People attend in costume at the 52nd Annual Village Halloween Parade on Friday night, October 31, 2025, in New York City, United States
Selcuk Acar/Anadolu/Getty Images
To the surprise of no one, New York City was ranked the best city to celebrate Halloween. It placed No. 2 for Trick-or-Treater Friendliness, No. 4 for Halloween Fun, and No. 29 for Halloween Weather.
There's also the famous Halloween parade — and the dog parade — a high number of costume shops and candy stores per capita, and the second-most movie theaters per capita, in case you're feeling a scary movie marathon.
Here's an official guide to all things Halloween in NYC.
The post The 15 best cities in the US to celebrate Halloween, ranked appeared first on Business Insider
