Back in my day, we didn't care what night of the week October 31 fell on. Halloween was Halloween.

It was pretty much understood that trick-or-treating started at dusk. If someone's porch light was on, that was a participating house. If no light was on, we left those people alone. We went around collecting candy in our plastic pumpkins or pillowcases until we got too cold, got tired of walking, or ran out of porch lights.

Trick-or-treat times vary from town-to-town in Mid-Michigan. (Photo via JR, Townsquare Media Lansing)
Trick-or-treat times vary from town-to-town in Mid-Michigan. (Photo via JR, Townsquare Media Lansing)

Times have changed.

There's whining and moaning every year that Halloween falls on a "school night."

Halloween 2026 Falls on a Saturday

Luckily, since Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, we get a year off from that annual gripe. Nobody's got to hurry their kid home from school, squeeze in dinner, and try to turn a third-grader into Spider-Man in seven minutes.

And because apparently there's been confusion about when to trick-or-treat, many Mid-Michigan communities actually have published trick-or-treat time windows.

Lansing and Mid-Michigan Trick-or-Treat Hours for 2026

Most Mid-Michigan communities have set trick-or-treating hours from 6 to 8 p.m. on Halloween night. This includes Lansing, East Lansing, DeWitt, DeWitt Township, Bath, Delta Township, Holt, Okemos, Haslett, Mason, Grand Ledge, Charlotte, Dimondale, Eaton Rapids, Williamston, Laingsburg, Potterville, Portland, Owosso, Stockbridge and Jackson.

Mid-Michigan Communities With Different Trick-or-Treat Times

A few places start earlier, like Leslie (5:30 to 7:30 p.m.) and Vermontville (5 to 8 p.m.).

If you're in Westphalia, you may see trick-or-treaters as early as 5 p.m., wrapping up by 7:30 p.m.

READ MORE: Here's What Mid-Michigan Weather Could Look Like for Halloween

In St. Johns, trick-or-treating hours are from 6:30 to 8 p.m., although there'll be a Downtown Candy Crawl on Halloween from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Your community may not be listed specifically. As a general rule of thumb, expect trick-or-treating to occur for about two hours beginning around dusk.

Want a Head Start on Halloween Candy?

Downtown Lansing's Trick or Treat on the Square happens Friday, October 30, from 5 to 7 p.m. East Lansing's Great Pumpkin Walk is Sunday, October 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.

And whether you're out collecting candy or handing it out, keep an eye on traffic and bring or wear something reflective.

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One final note: those miniature Heath bars are my favorite if you need a place to unload unwanted ones.

What You Pass Out On Halloween Says A Lot About You

Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews

These 8 Halloween Costumes are Perfect for Staying on Lansing Theme

Don't get caught dead in the same basic costume everyone else has. Check out how you can create the perfect Lansing-themed Halloween costume in the gallery below.

Gallery Credit: Kristen Matthews

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