This post was originally published in August 2017 and was updated in May 2026.
Halloween hunting season is here! One of the most common questions I'm asked when we start talking about Halloween shopping for a new year is what are my favorite places to shop.
And my VERY honest answer is small businesses.
There are SO many amazing creators online making Halloween decor year-round, and their items are always WAY more creative and unique than anything you'll find in a big box store.
Check out some of my favorites in this blog series. (More to come this Halloween season!)
But I know when I'm asked this question, it's usually someone wanting to know which chain stores are my favorite.
And yes, I do have a few. Today I'm rounding those up for you, sharing what makes them my favorites.
My Favorite Places to go Halloween Hunting
At Home
At Home is a Halloween wonderland I am grateful to have. They're usually one of the first stores in my area to get Halloween, and it's a moment I look forward to every summer as the official countdown to my favorite holiday begins. I love wandering aisle after aisle of Halloween goodies.
HomeGoods
I think we can all agree HomeGoods is one of the most fun places to Halloween hunt. A lot of the items are unique and usually limited or one-of-a-kind. It's frustrating when you're hunting for something specific, but it's also part of the fun for me—kind of like an adult treasure hunt.
Michaels
Michaels is where I do most of my Halloween DIY and decor purchasing. They always have fun decor that fits my taste, a wide array of DIY supplies, and, best of all, the best deals. I watch their emails and app coupons like a hawk in September and October, waiting until I can get the best price possible on my Halloween treasures.
Menards
Now that I’m officially a Midwesterner, this one has to go on the list! If you’re lucky enough to live near a Menards, I love checking them out for their yard decor. While I still don’t live somewhere I can have a full yard set-up, I do think they are one of the more affordable spots for this type of item.
Target
I have a love/hate relationship with Target's Halloween — and Target itself anymore. There are some serious gems in their collection every year...but I also find myself frustrated with the lack of stock in stores. I can't deny, though, that there's a certain air of excitement when the online collection drops in the summer and the seasonal back corner finally goes black and orange in the fall.
Photo courtesy of Your Best Halloween Ever
World Market
In recent years, this has become one of my favorite spots to pop into for unique items from big box stores. World Market keeps it classic, often with solid vintage-inspired items or cute little unexpected collections that lean into the spooky side of life, year-round. It’s absolutely worth seeking out!
How to hunt: Getting the most out of every store
Halloween hunting is a skill, and like any skill, it gets better with practice. After years of haunting the aisles, here's what I've learned about making the most of every trip.
Timing is everything. Every store has its own rhythm for when Halloween hits the floor, and knowing that rhythm in advance means you're not showing up too early — or too late and missing out on the best pieces.
I've put together a downloadable guide to when Halloween typically arrives at the big box stores, and you can grab it below. It's the cheat sheet I wish I'd had in my first few years of hunting.
Shop the first drop, not the last. The best pieces — the ones that feel genuinely special and unique — go early. If you wait until October to visit stores like HomeGoods or At Home, the shelves have already been picked over by everyone who knew to show up in July and August. Set reminders, check social media for sighting posts, and make your first trip within the first week of inventory hitting your local stores.
Use the apps and emails to your advantage. Michaels in particular rewards the patient shopper — their coupons are frequent and significant, and if you can wait for the right deal, you can save a lot on bigger purchases. Sign up for store emails before the season starts and actually open them. Keep in mind, the best sales don't always get widely advertised.
Know which stores to hit for what. Not every store does every category well. HomeGoods and At Home are where I go for decor that feels special and one-of-a-kind. Michaels is my destination for DIY supplies and anything I want to buy in multiples. Target is best browsed online first so you know what to look for when you get to the store — their in-store stock can be frustratingly sparse. Knowing your list before you walk in saves time and impulse buys.
Go more than once. Stores restock throughout the season, and what wasn't there in August might show up in September. If you fall in love with a piece and leave without it, it may not be there when you go back — but new things will be. Regular visits are part of the joy.
Don't overlook the clearance. Post-Halloween clearance is one of the best-kept secrets of the serious collector. Prices drop fast after October 31st, and what's left is often exactly the kind of elevated, slower-moving decor that holds up beautifully year after year. It takes discipline to wait, but it's very worth it.
What are your favorite places to shop for Halloween?
I'd love to hear in the comments!
