Gen Z Love Halloween: 93% Will Celebrate and Spend $622 on Average

Rhea-AI Summary

First Citizens Bank (NASDAQ:FCNCA) has released its 2025 Halloween Spending Survey, revealing significant consumer spending trends across generations. The survey shows that 79% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Halloween, with an average household spending of $420.

Gen Z leads the spending charge with an average of $622 per household, while households with children plan to spend $652. The survey highlights strong costume spending, with adults allocating $58 for personal costumes and $87 for family costumes. Notably, 33% of celebrants plan to purchase pet costumes, spending an average of $22.

CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, emphasizes the importance of financial planning for holiday expenses through high-yield savings accounts like Platinum Savings and Savings Connect.

Positive

• Strong consumer spending intentions with $420 average household Halloween budget
• High participation rate among younger demographics (93% of Gen Z)
• Significant spending from households with children ($652 average)
• Marketing opportunity through holiday-focused financial products

Negative

• Declining spending patterns among older demographics ($93 for Boomers)
• Limited direct revenue impact for First Citizens Bank beyond potential savings accounts

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Survey shows how Americans of all ages plan to celebrate the holiday

RALEIGH, N.C., Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly four-in-five U.S. adults (79%) plan to celebrate Halloween in 2025, and they aren't afraid of laying out some cash for the spooky fun. Those who plan to celebrate anticipate spending an average of $420 per household, according to CIT Bank's 2025 Halloween Spending Survey conducted by Harris Poll.¹

While many discussions of holiday spending and saving focus on gift-giving holidays, the findings reveal that many Americans also believe Halloween is worth saving and planning for.

"Halloween is a fun holiday that brings families, friends and communities together," said Jose Castro, head of CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank. "Many people get joy from creating memorable costumes or spooking neighbors with a giant skeleton in the yard. For them, it's worth spending a few hundred dollars to create meaningful memories."

Young Americans Celebrate and Spend More

For Halloween — AKA spooky season — young people are ready to get their scream on: 93% of Gen Z (ages 18-28) and 87% of Millennials (ages 29-44) plan to celebrate Halloween in 2025, though it was also popular with Gen X (ages 45-60, 76%) and Boomer and older (61+, 66%) respondents.

It's no surprise that Gen Z aims to go all-out for the season's celebrations. Their households plan to spend an average of $622 on the holiday, leading spending across costumes, candy, decor and all other categories measured. Halloween budgets get leaner for older generations, with Boomers and older respondents planning to spend just $93 on average.

More members of the family means more masked mischief: adults with children at home plan to spend an average of $652 on celebrating Halloween, more than triple the planned spending of those without ($215).

Costumes and Candy Are Non-Negotiable

Dressing up as scary creatures, beloved characters and the occasional oversized foodstuff is a big part of Halloween celebrations, but it isn't just for trick-or-treating with the family. Of adults who plan to celebrate Halloween, 52% of those with children at home plan to wear costumes this year, while 29% of those without kids at home also plan to don their masks and face paint.

Americans who plan to celebrate Halloween this year expect to spend an average of $58 on costumes for themselves and $87 for their families — but humans aren't the only ones in the costume budget. One-third (33%) of adults celebrating Halloween plan to purchase pet costumes, on which they'll spend an average of $22. Continuing the trend of Gen Z going all-out on Halloween fun, those celebrating Halloween are including four-legged friends in their plans: Half (50%) plan to buy pet costumes, spending an average of $50 (more than double the national average) on fancy-dressed pets.

Whether all dressed up at a Halloween party or sprawled on the couch watching horror movies, only 24% of Halloween participants would be willing to save money by switching to less expensive candy (being the one house on the block that gives out full-sized candy bars is its own reward). That said, 57% would be willing to buy in bulk to get more bang for their candy buck.

For more money-saving Halloween tips, check out this article from CIT Bank.

Savings Keep Jump Scares Out of Your Budget

Halloween can be a scary good time, but it's best to leave the creepy surprises to creature features instead of your bank balance. Creating a dedicated fund for holiday expenses may help you enjoy more moments and memories with less worry, especially if you set up a direct deposit or recurring transfer to a high-yield savings account.

"I recommend consistently setting aside money in a holiday fund so you can enjoy these celebrations while keeping your budget and long-term financial goals on track," Castro said. "A high-yield savings account at CIT Bank, like Platinum Savings or Savings Connect, is a great place to grow your holiday fund."

CIT Bank, a division of First Citizens Bank, is an FDIC-insured, top-10 online bank backed by the strength and stability of First Citizens Bank. CIT Bank offers a variety of savings accounts and CDs to help grow and preserve customers' nest eggs, whether they're looking forward to their first home or the most frightening yard display in the neighborhood. To learn more, visit www.CITBank.com.

About First Citizens Bank

First Citizens Bank helps personal, business, commercial and wealth clients build financial strength that lasts. Headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., First Citizens has built a unique legacy of strength, stability and long-term thinking that has spanned generations. First Citizens offers an array of general banking services including a network of more than 500 branches nationwide and offices in 23 states; commercial banking expertise delivering best-in-class lending, leasing and other financial services coast to coast; innovation banking serving businesses at every stage; and a nationwide direct bank. Parent company First Citizens BancShares, Inc. (NASDAQ: FCNCA) is a top 20 U.S. financial institution with more than $200 billion in assets and a member of the Fortune 500™. Discover more at First Citizens Bank.

Contact:
Angela English
803-931-1854
angela.english@firstcitizens.com

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SOURCE First Citizens Bank

FAQ

How much will the average U.S. household spend on Halloween in 2025?

According to First Citizens Bank's survey, households celebrating Halloween plan to spend an average of $420 on the holiday in 2025.

What age group is spending the most on Halloween in 2025?

Gen Z (ages 18-28) leads Halloween spending with an average of $622 per household, significantly higher than other age groups.

How much are families with children spending on Halloween compared to those without?

Households with children plan to spend an average of $652 on Halloween, more than triple the $215 planned by households without children.

What percentage of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween in 2025?

79% of U.S. adults plan to celebrate Halloween in 2025, with participation highest among Gen Z (93%) and Millennials (87%).

How much are Americans spending on Halloween costumes in 2025?

Americans celebrating Halloween plan to spend an average of $58 on costumes for themselves and $87 for their families, with an additional $22 average spend on pet costumes.