Nextdoor’s Halloween guide now features local events and businesses, plus details on what neighbours are handing out at their homes, as new data shows that Canadians are looking for local low-cost options
Halloween is fast approaching, and children across Canada eagerly await this one magical night to see friends, dress up, and of course, stock up on candy. Parents, on the other hand, face a different reality behind the scenes, sorting out the financial logistics of making Halloween memorable for their kids.
As parents stock up on candy, decor, last-minute costumes, and even family events like pumpkin picking to get everyone involved, they’re also thinking about how it all adds up. To help Canadian parents, Nextdoor’s annual Treat Map returns for the 7th consecutive year, with a new feature: Local Spot pins!
Treat Map is the essential guide to making Halloween fun, safe, and connected - bringing communities together in an increasingly digital world. Neighbours can add a pin to the Treat Map. For the first time, neighbours choose what kind of pin to add: a home or a local spot, like a Halloween event or a nearby attraction. New tags describe what visitors can expect, including the option to pin “Decorations,” “Halloween event,” or “Business with Treats”, and allow them to also filter what they are looking for in the map.
To better understand how neighbours are spending ahead of October 31 (and where!), Nextdoor Canada partnered with Angus Reid to survey more than 1,500 adults nationwide. The findings confirm what we’ve seen across Canada: neighbours are on modest budgets, but still look to celebrate with their local community.
Key Takeaways:
- 88% of Canadians expect to spend less than $100 CAD in total for Halloween this year, including 65% who expect to spend $0-49. Another 9% expect to spend $100 to $149.
- Nearly six in ten (59%) Canadians say supporting local or Canadian businesses is a priority when shopping for or celebrating Halloween this year, from pumpkins picked at nearby farms to costumes from neighbourhood shops and treats from local bakeries.
- This is even higher in Saskatchewan and Manitoba (68%), Atlantic Canada (69%), and Ontario (62%).
- 24% of Canadians say free or low-cost community events, like haunted houses, mazes, and Trick-or-Treating groups, would make them more likely to support local.
- More than a quarter (27%) of Canadians say better awareness of what's happening, like haunted houses, orchards, and trick-or-treating villages, would make them more likely to attend local events or support local vendors leading up to Halloween.
- In Ontario, residents cite awareness (28%) as the biggest barrier to community events, followed by cost (24%).
- 19% of Canadians say lower prices or deals would make them more likely to shop local.
Regional Insights:
- Atlantic Canada: 68% of Atlantic Canadians expect to spend $0 to $49 in total on Halloween this year, with 13% not planning to shop at all for Halloween.
- Alberta: 18% of Albertans plan to spend over $100 to $149 on Halloween this year, the highest of all provinces.
- British Columbia: Residents are keeping budgets lower than other provinces, with 69% expected to spend between $0-$49.
- Ontario: 62% of Ontarians view supporting local and Canadians as important for Halloween shopping this year
How Can Canadians Save Ahead of Halloween?
- Look for free community events first. Many neighbourhoods across Canada host free or low-cost community festivals, parades, or decorating contests. Check what’s happening near you before booking paid attractions.
- Plan your stops early. Keeping to a budget requires preparation. Plan your pumpkin patches, orchards, and markets ahead of time to avoid last-minute convenience costs or long drives.
- Buy candy in bulk with your street! Splitting a bulk order with a few neighbours can lower the cost per household. It also helps to ensure you have all the kiddo’s favourites!
- Ask neighbours for their local recommendations. Local farms, bakeries, and candy shops often run specials and offer unique Canadian options. A quick neighbourhood post can direct you in the right direction.
- Swap costumes with a neighbour. It’s easy to feel pressure to buy new costumes every year, but you only wear them once. Kids outgrow costumes quickly. Post the ones you no longer need or ask around before buying new.
- DIY it yourself! Decorations can add up, but as the colours change, you can use items you already have in plenty of creative ways. Fall leaves and cardboard can go a long way, and it's also a fun project for the whole family.
What are affordable Halloween night activities?
- Visit the neighbourhood’s best-decorated homes. Haunted houses and spooky yard displays marked on the Treat Map make a free walking tour.
- Plan your Trick-or-Treat Route. To maximize candy and sweets, plan the best spots in the app!
- Pumpkin Carving. Pick up pumpkins from a local farm and carve them all together to display on the driveway or front door. Carving tools can also be reused every year or shared among neighbours!
- Check out street events. Communities across Canada host events for particular streets and neighbourhoods to bring kids together safely in one place.
- Local Events and Organizations. Many smaller local businesses are hosting events all month long that are free for the entire family to enjoy.
Methodology
These findings are from a survey conducted by Nextdoor Canada from October 5th to October 7th, 2026, among a representative sample of 1,515 online adult Canadians who are members of the Angus Reid Forum. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/-2.53 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.