Halloween clearance can be the cheapest way to build next year’s display, replace worn lights or pick up party supplies. The difficult part is knowing when to shop. Buy too early and the discount may be modest. Wait for the deepest markdown and the best animatronics, inflatables, costumes and matching décor may already be gone.
There is no universal Halloween clearance schedule. Retailers can change prices without notice, and two locations from the same chain may mark down merchandise on different days. However, most stores follow a recognizable pattern: small promotions before Halloween, a larger markdown around November 1, and deeper reductions during the following week if inventory remains.
Use the timeline below as a planning guide rather than a guaranteed sale calendar. Always verify the current price in the retailer’s app, at a store scanner or at checkout.
Last reviewed: September 16, 2026. Clearance timing, discounts and inventory vary by retailer and location.
Quick Halloween clearance timeline
| Shopping period | Typical savings | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-to-late October | About 10%–30% | Popular decorations, costumes and items you need this year |
| Final days before Halloween | About 20%–50% | Décor with reasonable selection still available |
| November 1–3 | Often around 50% | Best balance between savings and remaining inventory |
| November 4–7 | Often 70%–75% | General décor, party supplies and leftover costumes |
| One week or more after Halloween | Sometimes 80%–90% | Flexible shoppers willing to accept limited selection |
These ranges reflect common seasonal-clearance patterns, not advertised guarantees. Candy, licensed costumes, electrical decorations and large animatronics may follow different markdown schedules.
When does Halloween clearance start?
Some sales begin during the final week of October, especially when a store has more seasonal inventory than it expects to sell. These early discounts are usually smaller, but they can be worthwhile for products that commonly disappear before Halloween.
If you want a particular animatronic, projector, inflatable or matching decoration set, waiting for 70% or 90% off is risky. The best time to buy a must-have item is when its price becomes acceptable to you—not necessarily when the discount reaches its theoretical maximum.
For ordinary decorations and next-year supplies, November 1 is usually the most useful date to check. Many stores begin their first broad post-Halloween markdown then, while still having enough merchandise to make the trip worthwhile.
Typical Halloween markdowns by retailer
Target
Target commonly begins broad Halloween clearance after October 31. Past store reports have often shown an initial markdown around 50%, followed by roughly 70% and then 90% as remaining inventory is cleared. The exact dates can vary by store, and food or candy may not follow the same schedule as décor.
Target’s app can help identify products, but the price displayed online may not always match the clearance price inside a particular store. Scan the item or ask an employee to confirm the current price before deciding.
Walmart
Walmart often moves Halloween merchandise into clearance on November 1, with deeper reductions appearing over the following week. A common pattern is approximately 50% first, then 70%–75%, followed by a possible final markdown near 90% where inventory remains.
Local availability matters. Online prices can differ from in-store prices, and some third-party marketplace listings may remain close to their regular prices even while Walmart-owned seasonal merchandise is being cleared. The retailer also maintains an online Halloween clearance section, but local stores may have additional items.
Home Depot and Lowe’s
Home-improvement stores tend to sell many of their headline animatronics and large outdoor decorations before Halloween. Select items may be reduced during October, while remaining seasonal merchandise is often marked down more aggressively immediately before or after the holiday.
Do not count on a large animatronic surviving until the deepest clearance stage. If you are shopping for next year, focus on versatile products such as spotlights, extension accessories, pathway lights and smaller props. Before purchasing electrical décor, inspect the box and confirm that all adapters, stakes, remotes and mounting pieces are included.
You can check current selection on the official Home Depot Halloween decorations and Lowe’s Halloween decorations pages, but clearance availability and pricing may vary by store.
CVS and Walgreens
Drugstores often begin with a post-Halloween markdown near 50% and reduce remaining seasonal products further during the next several days. These stores can be useful for candy, small decorations, makeup, treat bags and party supplies. Selection is usually smaller than at a big-box retailer, so the best products may disappear quickly.
Check expiration dates on food and makeup, and make sure clearance purchases still fit your intended use next year.
Dollar General and similar discount stores
Discount stores may use several markdown stages for seasonal merchandise, but timing can vary substantially by location. Halloween products can also be mixed with fall or harvest merchandise, which may follow a different schedule.
Use the store’s app or a price scanner when available. Shelf signs are sometimes updated after prices change in the system, so the displayed percentage may not tell the full story.
Amazon
Amazon does not follow a predictable storewide Halloween clearance schedule. Prices can change throughout October and November, and discounts may come from individual sellers rather than a coordinated seasonal markdown.
One important date for 2026 is Amazon Prime Big Deal Days on October 6–7. Amazon says the 48-hour event will include Prime-member deals across more than 35 categories, including Halloween preparation, seasonal décor, costumes, accessories, candy and party supplies. Check early because featured deals can sell out or change during the event.
Compare the deal price with the product’s usual selling price instead of relying only on a crossed-out list price. Also check the seller, estimated delivery date and return terms. A product labeled as a deal is not automatically a good value.
What should you buy at each clearance stage?
At 20%–30% off, concentrate on products that are likely to sell out: distinctive animatronics, matching sets, popular costume sizes and decorations that complete a specific display.
At approximately 50% off, consider reusable lights, extension accessories, basic costumes, faux pumpkins, tombstones, wreaths and party supplies. This is often the best compromise between price and selection.
At 70%–90% off, be flexible. Look for generic black, orange, purple or neutral products that can work in several themes. Tablecloths, serving trays, storage containers, craft supplies and plain string lights may be easier to reuse than highly specific dated merchandise.
If you are expanding an outdoor setup, our guide to outdoor Halloween decoration ideas can help you decide which additions will have the greatest visual impact. Small-space decorators can also use these Halloween ideas for small yards and front porches to avoid buying more than the space can comfortably hold.
Inspect clearance decorations before buying
Clearance items may be customer returns, display models or boxes that have been opened. Before purchasing, check:
- Power adapters, remotes, stakes and mounting hardware
- Tears, cracked plastic, exposed wiring or water damage
- Battery compartments for corrosion
- Costume zippers, fasteners and included accessories
- Package labels showing whether the item is suitable for indoor or outdoor use
- The retailer’s return policy for clearance or seasonal merchandise
Test lights and moving props as soon as possible. If you plan to use them outdoors next year, read our guide to securing Halloween decorations in wind and bad weather before storing or installing them.
Shop with next year’s display in mind
Clearance prices can make unnecessary purchases feel like bargains. Before shopping, list the gaps in your existing display. You might need better lighting, weather-resistant extension connections or one strong focal prop—not another box of small decorations.
For a coordinated effect, choose a theme and color palette before entering the store. Our guide to the best Halloween lights for indoor and outdoor decorating explains where different lighting types work best. If you are building a walkthrough or garage display, use the planning steps in How to Create a Halloween Home Haunt before buying large equipment.
Label storage bins by area or theme when you get home. Remove batteries, keep fabric costumes dry and save instruction manuals with remotes and specialty adapters. A deeply discounted product is only a good purchase if it still works when the next Halloween season begins.
Is it better to shop on November 1 or wait?
Shop on November 1 if you want a reasonable selection and a meaningful discount. Wait several more days if price matters more than choice and you are comfortable leaving empty-handed.
For most shoppers, the smartest strategy is to divide the list. Buy must-have items at the first acceptable markdown, then wait for deeper clearance on generic supplies and optional decorations. That approach captures useful savings without depending on uncertain inventory.
Halloween clearance schedules change from year to year, so confirm prices before making a special trip. We will update this guide as retailers publish or begin their seasonal markdowns.
FAQ
When do Halloween decorations usually go on clearance?
Many retailers begin broad Halloween clearance on November 1, although smaller discounts may appear during the final days of October. Deeper markdowns often follow during the first week of November if merchandise remains.
When does Halloween clearance reach 90% off?
Some retailers may reach approximately 90% off about a week after Halloween, but the timing and eligible products vary. Inventory is often extremely limited by that stage.
Is Halloween candy discounted on November 1?
Many stores discount Halloween-branded candy after October 31, but candy may follow a different markdown schedule from decorations and costumes. Check expiration dates and verify the price at the store.
Are clearance Halloween items returnable?
Return rules vary by retailer and item. Some clearance purchases remain returnable, while seasonal products, opened merchandise or final-sale items may have restrictions. Review the current return policy before purchasing.
