Halloween spending reaches $13.5 billion as local displays draw crowds

American consumers are projected to spend $13.5 billion on Halloween this year, a figure that has nearly doubled over the last ten years.

The economic activity stems from increased purchases of costumes, candy, and elaborate outdoor decorations. Local businesses across the region report that this spending habit has become a major driver for the seasonal economy.

In Bloomfield, New Jersey, Otis Alston operates a residence filled with skeletons, animatronic figures, and tombstones. He describes his setup as a destination that attracts large groups of visitors. Alston insists on using real pumpkins for his display because he wants them to decay naturally.

"I have to use real pumpkins so they can rot and decay and go with the scene. You can't have nice pumpkins out here. The pumpkins have to have flies. They have to have maggots on them. They have to be molded and rotten," Alston said. He believes people are drawn to the holiday because it allows them to act differently without judgment. "I think it's because you can be, act, do whatever you want, and be bat-crazy and nobody's gonna care. Nobody's gonna say anything or do anything," he said.

James Joanow, who runs Joanow Holiday Displays, agrees with Alston's assessment. His team has built complex displays using skeletons and lights for many years. Joanow views the holiday as a rare opportunity for self-expression. "I think it's the only time of year you could be someone or something that you're not. You could dress up and be different, and you go around and have fun. It's just a fun holiday," he said.

Becky Galentine, an embalmer and paranormal investigator known online as My Bloody Galentine, also contributes to the seasonal interest. She travels to haunted locations on weekends and produces videos that receive millions of views. "I live and breathe the spooky life, basically," she said. Her content helps sustain the momentum of the Halloween season throughout the year.

Cultural historian Larry Samuel notes that Halloween functions as a unique social event. He points out that the holiday is one of the few times people invite strangers into their homes. "When do we open our doors to strangers? You know, we have disconnected ourselves from a civic community. We not only open the doors, we give them candy. This is really a very odd thing, if you think about it, but it serves a really important social purpose, also by turning things upside down," Samuel said.

The combination of personal displays, commercial products, and public socialization keeps the holiday economy active across the region.