Families in Upper Arlington and Grandview Heights will trick-or-treat on different nights in 2026.
Upper Arlington's Beggar's Night is Thursday, Oct. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. Grandview Heights will hold trick-or-treat on Halloween night, Saturday, Oct. 31, during the same hours.
The split happens because Upper Arlington follows date recommendations from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC), according to the city's FAQ page. Under that guideline, when Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick-or-treat moves to the Thursday before Oct. 31. Halloween lands on a Saturday in 2026, pushing UA's Beggar's Night to Oct. 29. Columbus, Dublin and Hilliard are also observing Oct. 29, according to 10TV.
Grandview Heights sets its own date. The city's announcement encourages families to make the Grandview Heights Public Library a stop on their route. The library will host costume contests at 6:30 p.m., 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 31.
Families looking to save on costumes before either night can visit Upper Arlington's Fall Fest on Sunday, Oct. 4, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Fancyburg Park, 3375 Kioka Ave. The free event includes a Costume Swap stocked with donated costumes. Residents can drop off gently used costumes at the Bob Crane Community Center through Saturday, Oct. 3, according to the city.
No official trick-or-treat date for Marble Cliff has been posted. At least one community calendar lists the village alongside its neighbors, but residents should check with the village directly for confirmation.
Upcoming Halloween-season dates:
- Oct. 3: Costume donation deadline, Bob Crane Community Center, Upper Arlington
- Oct. 4: Fall Fest and Costume Swap, 1–5 p.m., Fancyburg Park, Upper Arlington
- Oct. 29: Trick-or-treat (Beggar's Night), 6–8 p.m., Upper Arlington
- Oct. 31: Trick-or-treat, 6–8 p.m., Grandview Heights (costume contests at the library at 6:30, 7 and 7:30 p.m.)
