This Is Where to Buy Cheap Halloween Candy

The air is crisp. McDonald’s is bringing back its Boo Buckets. Spooky decorations have been on sale at Target for a month. It’s time to stock up on Halloween candy. I expect about 400 trick-or-treaters on the last Saturday in October, so I need to stock up on mini Reese’s, M&M’s and Kit Kats.

With the price of candy going up, it’s smart to shop around! Here’s the scoop on where to find good, cheap Halloween candy for trick-or-treating.

Best Cheap Halloween Candy: Walmart

It’s not unusual to see Halloween treats appear as early as August. For the best price on Halloween candy, though, don’t buy early. Wait for a sale. It’s not unusual to find big bags of mixed chocolate or Skittles and Starburst half-off, whether you’re shopping at stores like Target and Walmart or Walgreens and CVS.

That said, if you want to run out to the store and buy candy right now, head to Walmart. The retailer is famous for its everyday low prices, and CBS News called it the best place to head for affordable Halloween candy. Walmart also carries the widest range of options, including name-brand candy and mixed packs of candy bars in every size. The store even has deals on the most popular Halloween candy, like M&M’s and Reese’s.

Best Cheap Halloween Candy in Bulk: Costco

No surprise here: Costco is the best place to stock up on Halloween candy in bulk. Look out for Kirkland Signature’s 150-piece bags of candy. The giant bags are perfect if you live in a popular neighborhood for trick-or-treating or plan to throw a monstrous Halloween party.

When does Halloween candy go on sale?

Usually, Halloween candy goes on clearance the day after Halloween, so if you’re buying candy to keep in the pantry, wait for November 1. You’ll probably have a more limited choice of brands, though. (It always seems to be mini Snickers left on the shelf in my neighborhood.)

But! You can find candy on sale throughout October, even in the days leading up to Halloween. It won’t be the rock-bottom pieces you’ll find in November when the stores want to clear shelves to make room for Thanksgiving decorations. But a BOGO sale means cheap Halloween candy, so don’t pass it up. Don’t forget to fish out a few Reese’s cups for yourself.