Halloween is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the U.S., but it currently lacks the recognition of a national holiday. By designating Halloween as a national holiday on the last Saturday of October, we could make the celebration more accessible, fun, and—most importantly—safer for everyone.
One of the biggest safety concerns with Halloween is that it often falls on a weekday, leaving families to rush through trick-or-treating in the dark after work or school. By moving it to the last Saturday of October, festivities could start earlier, allowing for more daylight trick-or-treating, reducing traffic accidents, and ensuring greater visibility for drivers. It also gives parents more time to participate, improving overall supervision and decreasing the risk of accidents.
Making Halloween a national holiday would allow for better preparedness and community-wide participation. With an official day off, local businesses, schools, and communities could host safe, organized events during the day, reducing the need for late-night trick-or-treating. Emergency services, which often see an uptick in calls on Halloween, could also better plan and allocate resources knowing the celebration would be concentrated on a single Saturday.
Beyond safety, the economic benefits are clear. Halloween is already a huge commercial holiday, and creating a national holiday would drive more revenue for businesses, such as event venues, restaurants, and stores that rely on Halloween-related sales. Families and individuals would have more time to enjoy the holiday, increasing participation in community events, costume parties, and celebrations, all of which would contribute to a vibrant, festive economy.
In conclusion, designating Halloween as a national holiday on the last Saturday of October would not only make it a safer celebration for families and children but would also boost local economies and strengthen community bonds. It’s time we give Halloween the recognition and flexibility it deserves.