Halloween Report 2026 - Thirty Years of Halloween Stats!

We marked 30 years of data tracking of Halloween trick-or-treaters in West End Halifax with a record number - 217 - edging out 1996's previous record of 215. It helped that it was a Saturday, but clearly our neighbourhood is enjoying a generational trend of lots of families with trick-or-treater aged kids and lots of visitors drawn to our safe streets.

The 30-year average is 146. This year numbers started strong as soon as dusk fell and built to a peak at 7 pm that didn't slack until 8. Ended a bit earlier than past years at 8:25, perhaps because the temperature really dropped.

Two classics tied for first place: witches and cats. Second place were kids with no costumes, unapologetic but often with humourous attitudes. "I am here as myself." "He's a good boy" (from the mom!). Spidermen and vampires tied for third place. The Spiderman costumes varied greatly and included numerous homemade depictions from the various Spidey universes. Two other classics tied for fourth place: ghosts and grim reapers, both with a mix of homemade and commercial costumes.

There were lots of interesting original ideas and lots of fine homemade costumes.
Our picks for best costumes were -
* For Older Kids: Vax'ildan character from "Critical Role" series with working wings with a tie between a completely articulated Warhammer Space Marine and a Mandolorian with distressed armour and weapons, all homemade.
* For middle school kids: An amazing duo of rainstorm and weatherman struck by lightning - both with lighthing effects.
* For toddlers/preschoolers: A Fire fighter wearing a homemade fire truck.
* Pair/couple costume: Miss Piggy and Kermit with Miss Piggy really into her role.
* Adult: Scritchy, the safety raccoon traffic pylon, a legendary neighbourhood character.

Some trends to note:
1) Ninjas were number one last year, but fell to lower mid-ranks this year.
2) Lots of homemade costumes. Even commercial characters were often represented by homemade depictions. Clearly the DIY approach is popular with many kids - and some parents.
3) Far fewer princesses than in past years, perhaps displaced by a strong showing of unicorns for those who like sparkly costumes.
4) While Spiderman was very popular and there were a few Batmen, superheroes were not especially popular.
5) More soccer plays than usual - clearly the World Cup has some effect with specific players represented, included a Messi-Lamine Yamal baby depiction.
6) Lots of parents doing chaperone duties in costume, often with group themes like a bear family (including polar bear grandmother!) and a horse rider with mom as groom and dad as jump obstacle.
7) A political character for the first time in many years: a Donald Trump, played with sacrastic relish.

First caller: 5:40 pm Peak: 7 pm Last caller: 8:25 pm

Costumes by Categories

Cat, many variations cat clowns and one with little mouse on pocket 12
Witch, classic and variations 12
No discernible costume, interesting excuses 10
Spiderman, many variations, several homemade 9
Vampires 9
Ghost 6
Grim Reapers 6
Batman 4
Ghoul mask 4
Hockey Player 4
Princess (classic) 4
Unicorn (Great combos, sparkles, graphics) 4
Clown, scary 3
Dinosaurs 3
Harry Potter 3
Mandolorians, including an impressive homemade version 3
Minions 3
Ninja 3
Serial Killer 3
Soccer players, 1 generic plus a Messi and Haaland 3
Angel and Angel/Demon combo 2
Banana 2
Clown, Classic 2
Cowboy, disco 2
Fallout guy with gas mask 2
Fire Fighter, one with homemade truck: 2
Fox 2
Gangster 2
Juvenile Delinquents 2
Lady Bug 2
Pirates! (with parrot dog) 2
Police officer 2
Santa Clauses 2
Scarecrow, scary 2
Scream Masks 2
Soldier 2
Sunglasses Guys 2
Teddy Bear 2
Tom and Gerry 2
Turtle, Gus the 2
Alien 1
Astronaut 1
Axe murderer 1
Bear 1
Basketball man 1
Bunny 1
Ballerina 1
Butterfly 1
Call of Duty Ghost 1
Chef, Lindt Chocolates (Homemade) 1
Dad 1
Darth Vader 1
Deer 1
Descendants (TV show) character 1
Daphne from "Scooby-Doo" 1
Dog, dalmation 1
Doll, creepy 1
Dorothy, "Wizard of Oz", nicely done homemade costume 1
Donald Trump, really into role 1
Dragon 1
Demon from "Scooby-Doo" 1
"Fallout" character 1
Fortune teller 1
Fruit, geometric/digital 1
Ghostbuster 1
Gorilla 1
Harley Quinn 1
Headless man, head on a plate, homemade 1
Horserider, with dad as jump and mom as groom 1
Jason (horror character) 1
Joker (Batman series) 1
K-Pop Demon Hunter 1
Keeper of the Lost Cities characters 1
Kermit, with Miss Piggy 1
Weatherman hit by lightning with light effects 1
Lucifer character 1
Maleficent's daughter 1
Matilda (from film) 1
Minecraft character (Warden) 1
Miss Piggy, with Kermit 1
Monster Goblin 1
Nun, evil 1
Pennywise (Horror clown) 1
Pickle, dill 1
Phantom of the Opera 1
Pumpkin 1
Raccoon, Scritchy the Safety 1
Rainstorm, homemade, cool lighting 1
Red Riding Hood, with Wolf 1
Rescue Unit Guy 1
Rockstar, with lots of energy 1
Robot 1
Shrek 1
Skeleton 1
Sponge Bob Square Pants 1
Sasquatch 1
Squid 1
Supermario Brother 1
Tadpole 1
Tiger 1
Tigger 1
Vax'ildan character from "Critical Role", cool homemade 1
Velma, from Scooby-Doo 1
Vest girl 1
Warhammer Space Marine (homemade) 1
Wolverine, great claws and lit cigar 1
Wolf, with red Riding Hood 1
Winnie the Poo 1
Wizard 1

Halloween Report 2025

Dan Conlin's 29th Annual Halloween Stats

We had a near-record 195 trick-or-treaters on Duncan Street in Halifax on Oct. 31, 2025, our second highest in 29 years of counting costumes, second only to 215 back in 1996!  This was despite a day of heavy rain that ended just hours before the trick-or-treaters began to call.

 

Past Totals - 2024: 165; 2023: 139; 2022: 145; 2021:127; 2020: 151; 2019: 143; 2018: 138; 2017: 114; 2016: 81;2015: 101; 2014: 97; 2013: 80; 2012: 50! 2011: 80; 2010: 88; 2009: 99; 2008: 103; 2007: 125; 2006: 168; 2005: 187:  2004: 184; 2003: 187; 2002: 193; 2001: 152; 2000: 171; 1999-175; 1998-160; 1996-215   

Average: 139 

  

The most popular costumes, by far, were ninjas, a mix of homemade, customized and store-bought costumes. We are puzzled where this trend comes from as there haven't been any big shows or games starring ninjas that we know about. Second place went to kids with no apparent costume, the highest we have ever recorded; most of whom shrugged bashfully. I suspect these were kids who decided to go at the last minute with minimal costumes when the rain let up.  Ghouls masks of various kinds were the third most popular costumes. Last year witches ruled, but there were far fewer this time and they were more specialized.

  

There were lots of interesting costume combos and some fine homemade costumes. Best costumes were:

1) Audrey, the monster plant from Little Shop of Horrors, beautifully made homemade costume with multiple heads and scary teeth.

2) Rapunzel, which included her tower, a large and imaginative homemade costume.

3) Vincent Van Gogh, a carefully made costume with her friend dressed as a beautiful Van Gogh style sunflower.

4) A cute lobster costume worn by a very young child who rode in a wagon depicting a lobster boat, complete with its DFO number. 

5) A beautifully made Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz with ruby slippers and her own real Toto dog.

  

Some trends to note:

1) Quite a few Toronto Blue Jay players and one baseball reporter, one of the few times that a major news story influenced Halloween costumes in our neighbourhood.

2) Lots of Anime, Manga and video game characters familiar to kids, but not to adults.  

3) Some, but not-too-many super heroes, mostly Spidermen of various sorts and a delightful superhero mashup by one boy who went as Superman, Batman and a ninja, all combined into one costume!

4) Some impressive ensemble pieces: Van Gogh; the Strawberry Shortcake girls and especially a dramatic duo of a pizza delivery guy player accompanied by a friend who played an armed robber who threatened to stab her!  

5) A majority of parents doing chaperone duties had costumes, some very impressive.

First: 5:42 pm Last: 8:58 pm Peak: 7pm

Halloween Report 2024

 

Dan Conlin's 28th Annual Halloween Stats

 

We had 165 trick-or-treaters on Duncan Street in Halifax on Oct. 31, 2024, up from 139 last year and well above our 28-year average of 136. 

 

Past Totals- 2023: 139; 2022: 145; 2021:127; 2020: 151; 2019: 143; 2018: 138; 2017: 114; 2016: 81;2015: 101; 2014: 97; 2013: 80; 2012: 50! 2011: 80; 2010: 88; 2009: 99; 2008: 103; 2007: 125; 2006: 168; 2005: 187:  2004: 184; 2003: 187; 2002: 193; 2001: 152; 2000: 171; 1999-175; 1998-160; 1996-215

  

The most popular costumes, by far, were witches, with 6, plus variations like the White Witch (from Narnia), a "night witch" and "a witch from the early 2000s". Zombies of various kinds were a close second, with vampires and ghoul masks tied for third place.

 

 

There were lots of interesting costume combos and some fine homemade costumes. Top costume were:

1) Two playing cards, "the queen and king of clubs" beautifully made with matching make-up.

2) The Swamp Monster, a large evocative costume with beautiful textured botany.

3) An impressive Mary Poppins who had great in-character lines about seeking "a spoonful of sugar"!

 

 

Some trends to note:

1) A resurgence of various Harry Potter and Star Wars characters

2) Some, but not too many super heroes, mostly Spidermen of various sorts and a smattering of Marvel characters including a very impressive Gambit complete with throwing cards.

3) Some impressive dragon and dinosaur costumes.

4) Sadly, no pirates!

5) A majority of parents doing chaperone duties had costumes, an increase in recent years.

 

First: 5:54 pm Last: 8:58 pm Peak 7 to 7:20 pm

 

Detailed totals:

Alvin & the Chipmunks 4

Appliance Man 1

Anime character, misc 2

Astronaut (Jupiter mission) 1

Banana 1

Batman 1

Bunny (including a reluctant bunny) 2

Butterfly 1

Brokeback Mountain (Jack) 1

Cat 4

Cards (Queen & King of Clubs) super homemade costumes 2

Civilian (no costume, but really selling it!) 1

Clown, Classic 2

Clown, scary 3

Carrots (home made) 2

Devil 1

Dinosaur with rider 1

DJ with lights & portable music 1

Dragons, including Blue & Braden the performance dragon 4

Dead Bride 1

Doll, broken 1

Dog (Dalmatian fire dog) 1

Donnie Darko (skeleton shirt) 1

Elf (Forest) 1

Elsa (Frozen character) 1

Fisherman (in wagon with lobster) 1

Fire Fighter/dragon 1

Flash (superhero) 1

Gambit (Marvel character) with throwing cards! 1

Gandolf 1

Ghost, classic 1

Ghostface Ghoul 4

Ghouls (misc.) 6

Giant Moustache 1

Gangster 1

Harley Quinn 1

Harry Potter 4

Harry Potter (the Weasleys) 1

Hermione (from Harry Potter) 2

Hockey Player 1

Home Alone Robbers, with injuries! 2

Jason (horror character) 4

Joker (Batman character) 3

Jedi 2

Ladybug 1

Lobster, in wagon with fisherman! 1

Loki (superhero character) 1

Lion King 1

Mary Poppins (impressive homemade) 1

Mask, LED illuminated, cool & creepy 1

Master Chief (from video game) 1

Mega Gyarados X (from Pokemon) 1

Men in Black (impressive homemade version) 2

Microwave (good homemade costume) 1

Minion 1

Mime 2

Mouse 2

Ninja Turtles 2

Ninja 4

No discernible costume: 4

Oyster (great homemade costume) 1

Penquin 1

Pickle 1

Pumpkin, 2 cool vintage & 2 scary 4

Princess (classic) 2

Raccoon 2

Robber 1

Rock and Roll, 80s hair band rocker 1

Rocket Ship (large impressive costume) 1

Sith Lords (Star Wars) 3

Skull mask (last costume of the night) 1

Skunk ( first Halloween!) 1

Skeletons 3

Space cowboy 1

Spiderman 2

Spiderman Noir 1

Superhero Misc 3

Swamp Monster, amazing homemade costume 1

SWAT Team 1

Tiger 1

Unicorns (one with super cute rainbows!) 2

Vampires: 5

Wednesday Addams 1

Witches, classic 6

White witch (from Narnia) 1

Night witch 1

Witch "from the early 2000s" 1

Wizard, with tragic backstory 1

Wolverine (super hero) 1

Yoda, baby - only 9 months! 1

Zebra 1

Zombies 4

Zombie drugdealer 1

Zombie Baseball player 1

Zombie Cheerleader 1

Halloween Report 2023

It was strong night with lots of creative costumes, including some creative ensemble costumes. Dinosaurs with the top costume and a three-way tie for second place between witches, Spidermen and dragons. Despite all the hype, not a single Barbie or Ken! Numbers were very close to last year and just above average for the number of costumes on the street over 27 years.

27th Annual Report: Halloween at Duncan Street, Halifax, 2023

 TOTAL: 139

 Past Totals- 2022: 145; 2021:127; 2020: 151; 2019: 143; 2018: 138; 2017: 114; 2016: 81;2015: 101; 2014: 97; 2013: 80; 2012: 50! 2011: 80; 2010: 88; 2009: 99; 2008: 103; 2007: 125; 2006: 168; 2005: 187:  2004: 184; 2003: 187; 2002: 193; 2001: 152; 2000: 171; 1999-175; 1998-160; 1996-215

 27-year average: 135

• First Caller:  5:55 p.m.
• Peak: 7:00-7:30 pm
• Last Caller:  9 pm
• Clear, dry night - but cold, 2 C

Anime character, misc            2

Anna Karenina (with tiny train)           1

Anna Karenina's lover (with tiny horse)             1

Arsonist (with gas can & cool creepy vibe)        1

Assassins        2

Bananas           2

Barbie (none!!)           0

Baseball player           1

Batman            1

Black Panther  1

Bunny 2

Bloody Bride  1

Cheerleader     1

Chuckey (horror character)     1

Clown, Classic            1

Cowboy          1

Devil   3

Dinosaurs, including some elaborate T-Rex!:       7

Diver (with octopus stuck to head!)  1

Dragons           6

Dying Person  1

Elsa (Frozen character)           1

Fairy    1

Fire Fighter:    1     

Garbage bag (transparent bag with trash inside, a great homemade costume)       1

Gatorades        2

Ghouls (misc.) 4

Glinda the Good Witch           1

Godzilla          1

Guy Fawkes/VforVendetta, Anonymous                               1

Guy with a gas mask              1

Grand Admiral Thrawn (Star Wars) homemade!                               1

Harry Potter, various houses 4

Harry Potter (the Weasleys)   2

Hunter (video game character) 1        

Jason (horror character)          2

Jester, evil       1

Link (from Zelda game)         1           

Mandalorian (Star Wars)        1

Mermaid         1

Microwave head masks (great homemade duo costumes)                        1

Migration of mushrooms (an ensemble performance)         4

Monkees (60s band)   2

Mummies (part of entire mummy family)            2

Nightmare Before Christmas character          1

Ninja Turtles    2

No discernible costume:         2

Purge (video game character) 1

Pirates!            4

Plaque Doctor 1

Police Officer:            1

Power Rangers            1

Pumpkin         1

Princess (classic)         5

Princess Poppy           1           

Rapper 1

Ronaldo (soccer player)          1

Rubik's Cube (homemade)     1

Robot, lovely homemade costume     1

Rook (chess piece, nice homemade costume)            1

Samurai           1

Santa Claus (really into role!) 1

Scooby-Doo ensemble crew    4

Serial Killer    1

Skunk (homemade, first Halloween!)                         1

Sith Lord (Star Wars)             1

Skeletons        2

Spider              1

Spidermen       6

Stranger Things Character (homemade)         1

Unicorns         1

Vampires:       5

Vacuum Cleaner (with candy backpack)        1

Warlock          1

Werewolf        1

Wednesday Adams     1

Witches (including a coven of 3!)       6

Zebra   1

Zombie Ballerina        1

Zombie Cheerleader    1

Zombie Dorothy (with  skeleton Toto)  1

Zombie scarecrow (with Dorothy)           1

 

Best Costumes:

1)  Four giant papier-mâché mushroom hats and capes with an ensemble performance.

2)  Two homemade microwave masks.

3)   A whole family with a nautical theme: mom & dad as Rose & Jack from Titanic with daughter as mermaid and son as diver with octopus.

4) A whole family of homemade mummy costumes.

5) A Zombie Dorothy with amazing make-up and a skeleton Toto.

6)  A homemade backpack vacuum cleaner with collection slots for “chocolate” and “candy”.

7)   A Santa Claus handing out candy canes and asking people what they want for Christmas.

 Trends:

1. Dinosaurs were the most popular costume with some very impressive T-Rex.
2. A three-way tie between witches, dragons and Spidermen.
3. No Barbies or Ken costumes!
4. Specialized Zombie variations popular.
5. A good night for pirates!
6. Harry Potter remains strong.
7. Some missing classics: no ghosts or grim reapers.
8. Aside from the big Spidermen turnout, very few superheroes.
9. Many parents in costume: 52 with several family theme costumes (mummies, nautical, clowns.)