Updated October 1, 2026. Every date and time below comes from the city's own website as it read on that day. We'll add cities as they post their 2026 hours.
Seven metro cities have posted their 2026 trick-or-treat hours so far, and all seven chose the same slot: Saturday, October 31, from 6 to 8 pm. Des Moines hasn't posted 2026 hours yet; its most recent announcement covers 2025.
The old Des Moines habit of trick-or-treating on October 30, Beggars' Night, is fading. In December 2024 the City of Des Moines said most metro communities would move trick-or-treating to Halloween itself for 2025, after a resident survey in which 49.5% preferred October 31, against 24.6% for October 30 and 25.9% for the Saturday before Halloween. Ankeny's 2026 calendar entry says Beggars' Night "has moved permanently to Halloween".
For haunted houses, pumpkin patches and everything else this month, see the October 2026 events calendar.
2026 trick-or-treat times by city
| City | 2026 date | Hours | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City news post (opens in a new tab) |
| Ankeny | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City calendar (opens in a new tab) |
| Grimes | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City news post (opens in a new tab) |
| Johnston | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City calendar (opens in a new tab) |
| Urbandale | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City calendar (opens in a new tab) |
| Waukee | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City calendar (opens in a new tab) |
| Windsor Heights | Saturday, October 31 | 6-8 pm | City calendar (opens in a new tab) |
Not confirmed yet
These cities had not posted 2026 hours on their own sites when we checked on October 1, or we couldn't read the site. Check the city's page before you plan around a date.
| City | Status on October 1 | Check |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | Not announced. The latest city notice is about 2025. | dsm.city news (opens in a new tab) |
| West Des Moines | Not confirmed. The city site didn't load for us. | wdm.iowa.gov (opens in a new tab) |
| Clive | Not announced | cityofclive.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Pleasant Hill | Not announced | pleasanthilliowa.org (opens in a new tab) |
| Norwalk | Not announced. The latest city notice is about 2025. | Norwalk news (opens in a new tab) |
| Bondurant | Not announced | cityofbondurant.com (opens in a new tab) |
| Indianola | Not announced | indianolaiowa.gov (opens in a new tab) |
| Polk City | Not confirmed. The city site didn't load for us. | polkcityia.gov (opens in a new tab) |
| Carlisle | Not announced | carlisleiowa.org (opens in a new tab) |
What each city says
Altoona
Trick-or-treat night is Saturday, October 31, 6-8 pm. Residents who want trick-or-treaters should turn their outdoor lights on, and those who don't should leave them off. The city asks drivers and pedestrians to take extra care during those hours.
Ankeny
Trick-or-treat is Saturday, October 31, 6-8 pm. The city calls participation voluntary and asks households handing out treats to light up the front door area. Its page also asks drivers to watch for children and to take care entering and leaving driveways.
Grimes
The city posted on October 1, 2026: trick or treat in Grimes is October 31 from 6 to 8 pm.
Johnston
Community trick-or-treating is Saturday, October 31, 6-8 pm. Homes taking part should have their porch lights on.
Urbandale
The city calendar says trick or treat (Beggar's Night) is observed 6-8 pm on Halloween, October 31.
Waukee
Kids go door to door 6-8 pm on October 31, and the city's listing adds "rain, snow or clear skies".
Windsor Heights
The city calendar lists Beggars' Night on Saturday, October 31, 6-8 pm.
More Halloween in Des Moines
- Haunted houses near Des Moines
- Pumpkin patches and apple orchards
- Corn mazes near Des Moines
- October 2026 events in Des Moines
Sources
All fetched October 1, 2026.
- Altoona: Trick-or-Treat Night (opens in a new tab)
- Ankeny: Trick-or-Treat calendar entry (opens in a new tab)
- Grimes: Trick Or Treat October 31st (opens in a new tab)
- Johnston: Halloween Trick-or-Treat calendar entry (opens in a new tab)
- Urbandale: Halloween / Trick or Treat calendar entry (opens in a new tab)
- Waukee: Trick or Treat Night calendar entry (opens in a new tab)
- Windsor Heights: Beggars' Night calendar entry (opens in a new tab)
- City of Des Moines: Metro Communities Select Halloween for Trick-or-Treating in 2025 (opens in a new tab) (December 19, 2024) and the city news list (opens in a new tab)
- City of Norwalk: news list (opens in a new tab)