Trick-or-Treat Time: Your Last-Minute Halloween Cheat Sheet

Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, and towns are not all following the same clock.

The time problem

There is no single national trick-or-treat time. Each town or city sets its own hours, and this year several communities have adjusted theirs because Halloween lands on a weekend.

• New Jersey: Hours vary by town, so check your local listing (Asbury Park Press has a town-by-town guide).
• South Jersey: Some communities adjusted their hours for Saturday (6abc Philadelphia).
• Chicago: Block Club Chicago has its own start-time guide for the city.

If you live somewhere else, search your town's name plus "trick-or-treat hours," or check the official city or police department page.

Why Saturday changes things

On a weekday, many towns start trick-or-treating after school and work. On a Saturday, kids are free all day, so some towns shift the window earlier. That's why the hours you remember from last year may not apply.

The masala checklist

1. Check your town's official page first. Don't trust a group chat.
2. Charge your phone and carry a flashlight.
3. Eat dinner before you go. Candy is not dinner, no matter what you tell yourself.
4. Wear reflective gear or add glow sticks so drivers can see you.
5. Plan a route and agree on a meeting spot if you're in a group.

For drivers

Slow down in residential areas, watch for kids crossing between parked cars, and put your phone away. Early evening is typically the busiest time for young pedestrians.

For candy-givers

Turn on your porch light if you're participating. Keep walkways clear, and keep pets inside, since doorbells and costumes can spook them.

The sweet end

Check your candy before kids dig in, trade what you don't like, and keep a bucket of the good stuff for yourself. You've earned it.

Stay spooky, stay safe.