Animal Crossing New Horizons

Halloween preparations are underway in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, bringing pumpkin farming, spooky decorations, seasonal costumes, and candy collecting back to players' islands. Throughout October 2026, players can prepare for the return of Jack, the mysterious pumpkin-headed character who hosts the game's annual Halloween celebration.

The main event takes place on October 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to midnight, when villagers dress in costumes, exchange candy, and offer special rewards. Although Halloween is a returning seasonal event rather than a newly announced expansion, it remains one of the game's most recognizable celebrations. Players who begin preparing early can collect more decorations, gather essential materials, and make the most of Jack's visit.

Since preparing for Halloween requires plenty of Bells for candy, pumpkins, costumes, and island decorations, some players may also Buy Animal Crossing New Horizons Bells from Z2U to save time and focus more on enjoying the seasonal event.

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Halloween 2026 Event Schedule

Halloween celebrations include a month-long preparation period followed by the main event on October 31. Both Northern and Southern Hemisphere islands follow the same Halloween date.

During October, Nook's Cranny sells candy and pumpkin starts, while the Able Sisters offer Halloween-themed clothing. Players can also obtain Spooky DIY recipes from villagers and balloon presents.

On Halloween night, Jack appears near Resident Services, allowing players to exchange candy and lollipops for special rewards.

How to Prepare for Halloween 2026

Preparing throughout October makes the celebration considerably easier. Instead of collecting everything on October 31, players can gradually build their supplies and decorate their islands.

1. Collect Candy Every Day

Candy is one of the most important items during Halloween because it is used to interact with Jack and villagers.

Players can purchase candy from Nook's Cranny starting October 1.

• Price: 120 Bells per piece.

• Purchase limit: One piece per player per day at each island's Nook's Cranny.

• Availability: Throughout October.

• Main purpose: Exchange candy for Halloween rewards.

• Additional use: Craft certain Spooky furniture recipes.

Players who purchase one piece daily from October 1 through October 30 can accumulate 30 pieces before Halloween night.

Those who start later can still collect candy by visiting other players' islands or obtaining additional pieces from villagers during the Halloween event.

It is advisable to save a reasonable supply for October 31 rather than spending everything on crafting materials.

2. Grow Pumpkins for Spooky Furniture

Pumpkins are essential crafting materials for Halloween decorations.

Players can purchase pumpkin starts from Nook's Cranny during October. Leif also sells pumpkin starts throughout the year.

Pumpkins take approximately three days to grow, and watering them regularly increases the number harvested.

There are four pumpkin colors:

Orange pumpkins are particularly valuable because they are required for crafting Spooky furniture. Other colors provide customization options.

Players should consider establishing a pumpkin farm early in October and harvesting crops regularly.

A small farming area can provide enough materials for several decorations, while larger farms are useful for players planning extensive Halloween-themed island designs.

3. Collect Spooky DIY Recipes

Spooky DIY recipes allow players to create Halloween furniture using pumpkins, wood, iron nuggets, and other materials.

There are several established ways to obtain recipes:

• Visit villagers who are crafting inside their homes.

• Shoot down balloon presents that may contain DIY recipes.

• Participate in Halloween night interactions.

• Exchange lollipops with Jack for special recipes.

Not every recipe is available through the same method. Some special rewards, including the Spooky Carriage and Spooky Wand recipes, are associated with Jack's Halloween interactions.

Players should check villagers' homes regularly throughout October to improve their chances of collecting the available recipes.

Best Spooky Furniture to Craft Before Halloween

The Spooky Series includes pumpkin-themed furniture suitable for decorating homes, gardens, pathways, and public spaces.

Some items can be purchased from Nook's Cranny during October, while others can be crafted or obtained during Halloween.

These quantities represent the materials required for individual DIY crafting actions.

For a more impressive Halloween atmosphere, players can combine Spooky Arches, Towers, Trees, and illuminated decorations around their island.

Orange pumpkins provide the traditional Halloween appearance, while other pumpkin colors can be used to customize certain furniture items.

Halloween Costumes: What to Wear for Jack's Return

Costumes are another important part of the celebration.

Throughout October, the Able Sisters shop offers various Halloween-themed clothing options, including outfits inspired by witches, monsters, and other supernatural characters.

Players can prepare their appearance using:

• Mage's clothing: Create a magical or witch-inspired appearance.

• Flashy Animal Costumes: Dress as a colorful animal character.

• Impish accessories: Add horns or wings to Halloween outfits.

• Special body paint: Customize the character's skin color.

• Colored eye contacts: Create unusual Halloween appearances.

Special body paint and eye color customization options can be unlocked through Nook Stop using Nook Miles.

These appearance options are especially useful for players who want to coordinate their outfits with Halloween island decorations.

Costumes also have practical value. On Halloween night, wearing a costume allows players to receive candy from villagers inside their homes.

Jack's Return: What Happens on October 31?

The main Halloween celebration begins at 5:00 PM on October 31.

Jack, also known as the Czar of Halloween, appears near Resident Services wearing his recognizable pumpkin head and purple robe.

Players can approach Jack and give him candy to receive special items.

How to Get Jack's Halloween Rewards

Jack offers several rewards through candy and lollipop exchanges.

The reward sequence above reflects the established Halloween mechanics, with certain interactions depending on which rewards the player has already obtained.

The Spooky Carriage is particularly desirable because it is a large decorative furniture item associated with the Halloween event.

The Spooky Wand recipe is another valuable reward, allowing players to craft a Halloween-themed wand for switching between registered outfits.

How to Get Lollipops During Halloween

Lollipops are special Halloween items used primarily to obtain Jack's more valuable rewards.

Unlike ordinary candy, lollipops cannot simply be purchased from Nook's Cranny.

Instead, players must participate in trick-or-treating with villagers.

The process is straightforward:

• Collect candy before or during Halloween.

• Find villagers wearing costumes outside their homes.

• Speak to them and give them candy.

• Receive a Halloween-themed reward, which may include a lollipop.

• Bring the lollipop to Jack.

• Repeat until the desired Jack rewards have been collected.

Not every candy exchange immediately produces a lollipop, so players should bring several pieces of candy.

If candy supplies become limited, players can visit villagers who are inside their homes while wearing a costume to obtain additional candy.

This makes it possible to continue participating even without a large candy collection prepared in advance.

Trick-or-Treating With Villagers

Halloween night changes the way players interact with their island residents.

Villagers outside may approach players and ask for candy. Players can choose whether to give them a treat or refuse.

Giving candy can result in Halloween furniture, recipes, lollipops, or other seasonal rewards.

Refusing may cause villagers to play a trick on the player.

These tricks can temporarily alter the character's appearance through face paint or other cosmetic changes.

Players can also dress as Jack after obtaining his special costume pieces.

Wearing Jack's Face and Jack's Robe together allows players to frighten certain villagers into giving them candy. However, each villager can only be fooled by this disguise once.

This provides another method for collecting candy during the celebration.

Halloween Special Reactions

Two Halloween-themed reactions are associated with the event.

Scare Reaction

Players can learn this reaction through interactions with villagers during Halloween. It allows the character to perform a frightening gesture.

Haunt Reaction

This reaction is obtained through interactions with Jack. It creates a ghostly, threatening pose suitable for Halloween photographs.

Both reactions are useful for players who enjoy taking screenshots, visiting friends' islands, or creating seasonal scenes.

Unlike consumable candy, unlocked reactions remain available for future use.

Tips for Getting More Halloween Rewards

Players hoping to collect as many seasonal items as possible should follow several practical strategies.

• Start collecting candy early: Buying one piece daily reduces the need to gather additional candy on Halloween night.

• Prioritize orange pumpkins: These are the primary materials for Spooky furniture crafting.

• Check villagers' homes: Residents may provide seasonal DIY recipes throughout October.

• Save candy for Jack: Keep enough candy available to begin his reward exchanges.

• Collect multiple lollipops: At least three are useful for obtaining Jack's major lollipop rewards through the established sequence.

• Wear a Halloween costume: This allows players to obtain candy from indoor villagers.

• Use Jack's disguise: His costume provides another opportunity to collect candy.

• Make time for October 31: The main event only runs from 5:00 PM until midnight.

Players should also check their console's date and time settings and ensure the game is updated if a scheduled holiday event does not appear as expected.

Is Halloween 2026 a New Animal Crossing Update?

Although Halloween 2026 brings back familiar seasonal activities, it should not be confused with a newly announced Halloween expansion.

Jack, candy collecting, pumpkin farming, and Spooky furniture have been part of Animal Crossing: New Horizons since earlier updates.

As of October 12, 2026, there is no verified Nintendo announcement confirming exclusive new Halloween furniture, additional characters, or a separate Halloween 2026 expansion.

Therefore, players should expect the established Halloween activities unless Nintendo announces additional changes.

Final Thoughts

Animal Crossing: New Horizons Halloween 2026 offers players another opportunity to transform their islands with pumpkins, costumes, spooky furniture, and festive decorations.

The preparation period throughout October is especially important for players interested in collecting DIY recipes and accumulating candy. Growing pumpkins early, checking seasonal shop inventories, and preparing a Halloween outfit can make the October 31 celebration much more enjoyable.

Jack's return remains the highlight of the event, with special costumes, the Spooky Carriage, the Spooky Wand recipe, and Halloween reactions available through the established reward system.

Whether players want to complete their seasonal furniture collection or simply celebrate with their villagers, Halloween provides plenty of reasons to revisit their islands. For players looking to create a fully decorated Halloween island, having access to additional furniture, decorations, and seasonal collectibles can make the process easier. Players can also explore Cheap New Horizons Items on Z2U, where they can compare offers from different sellers and find suitable items to bring their Halloween island designs to life.

With the main event scheduled for October 31, 2026, from 5:00 PM to midnight, now is a good time to finish decorating, stock up on candy, and prepare for Jack's return.