Trick-or-treat timing varies by location, but the general pattern seen across many communities is that trick-or-treating runs from around 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Halloween, with a common “sweet spot” around 7:00 p.m. This can be influenced by local guidelines, sunset times, and community events, so it’s best to check your city or neighborhood reports for official hours, especially if Halloween falls on a school night or a Friday. Key points and practical tips

• Typical windows: 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. is the most frequently cited range, with many families aiming for the period after dinner but before lights-out, around 7:00 p.m. [web results reflect common timing patterns across several outlets]
• Younger kids: If you have toddlers or younger children, consider starting closer to sunset (earlier in the window) and wrapping up before it gets dark for safety. Some communities publish earlier start times specifically for kids.
• Older kids and teens: Older trick-or-taters often start a bit later, sometimes around 6:30–7:30 p.m., and may continue until 8:00–9:00 p.m. depending on local customs and porch-light rules [web results reflect typical patterns].
• Official hours: Not all towns publish official hours; in many places trick-or-treating is informal and based on when households choose to participate. Local news, city pages, or neighborhood groups (Nextdoor, Facebook) are good sources for area-specific guidance.
• Safety tips: Wear visibility gear or carry flashlights, travel in groups, supervise young children, and respect houses that have their lights off or signs indicating they’re not participating.

If you’d like, share your city or ZIP code and I can help pinpoint the most common local windows and safety tips for that area.