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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Spirit Halloween to Open 1,575 Stores for 2026 Season
Spirit Halloween, the nation's largest Halloween retailer, will open 1,575 pop-up stores across North America for the 2026 season, including 34 locations in New Jersey alone . Key Statistics: Total Stores: 1,575 (up from 1,500+ in 2025) New Jersey: 34 locations Seasonal Employees: 52,000 2025 Consumer Spending: $13.1 billion (NRF data) Store Locations: Former retail spaces including Party City, Big Lots, Bed Bath & Beyond, Sears, and other vacant storefronts New Jersey Locations Include: Bridgewater (former Chuck E. Cheese), Cherry Hill, Clifton (former Big Lots), Delran (former Party City), Deptford (former Shoe Carnival and Crunch Fitness), East Hanover, Edison, Egg Harbor Township, Howell (former Party City), Kinnelon (former Bed Bath & Beyond), Lawrence Township (former Sears), and many more .
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Hersheypark Dark Nights Returns for 5th Anniversary with New Scare Zone
Hersheypark's award-winning Halloween event returns for its fifth anniversary on September 12, 2026, featuring five haunted houses and five scare zones . Event Overview: Hours: Fridays 5-10 p.m. (beginning Sept. 18), Saturdays 12-10 p.m., Sundays 12-9 p.m. Dark Nights: Begins each night at 6 p.m., extends one hour after park closes Included: More than 50 rides and dark coaster experiences, Hershey's Trick or Treat Trail, live entertainment, five haunted houses, and five scare zones Five Haunted Houses: Kill 'N Fill Garage: Navigate the wreckage of a body shop and gore-soaked car wash Estate of Evil: A long-forgotten room with never-before-seen horrors Auntie Mortem's Abattoir: Prime beef with a dark secret in the specialty sausage Twisted Carnevil: The Hypnotist presides over a hall of illusions Haunted Coal Mine: Something dark is flooding the mine NEW for 2026: Reese's Depot Of Doom Scare Zone: Follow the fractured tracks of the freight yard that comes alive at night with
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Hallmark Highlights "Happiest Hauntings" Trend for Halloween 2026
Hallmark's 2026 Halloween trend report identifies a shift toward "Happiest Hauntings," where spooky season is becoming more about joyful family togetherness than sheer fright . Key Trends: Colors: Orange glows, muted pastels, varying shades of black, pops of pink, retro rainbows Icons: Friendly ghosts, playful pumpkins, classic and vintage characters, cute monsters, dancing skeletons, googly eyes Scents: Pumpkin pie, cinnamon, brown sugar, toasted marshmallows, freshly baked cookies, candy apple Costume Themes: Classic Halloween squad (ghost, bat, pumpkin, black cat), storybook characters, apple orchard fun, disco jack-o'-lantern, ghost rodeo, candy shop Family Activities: Schedule weekly Halloween movie nights with different themes (kid-friendly, B-movies, black-and-white) Create group photo moments where everyone gets to dress up Bake-and-share moments as a family Create an October bucket list and spend the month completing activities Leave a guest book out for visitors to
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Light-Up Haunted Cozy Cone Sipper Returns to Cars Land for Halloween 2026
The popular Light-Up Haunted Cozy Cone Sipper has returned to Cars Land at Disney California Adventure for the 2026 Halloween season . Product Details: Price: $29.79 Design: Bright orange sipper shaped like a Cozy Cone Motel traffic cone building, featuring a spooky grinning face that lights up Lanyard: Detachable lanyard decorated with an orange-and-purple skyline of Radiator Springs with the Cozy Cone Motel neon sign Features: Carrying handle on the back, removable top The sipper is made to look like the giant traffic cones with jack-o'-lantern faces that stand guard around the perimeter of the Cozy Cone Motel. It is available at the Cozy Cone Motel in Cars Land
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Christmas Carol Goes Wrong UK and US Tour 2026
Mischief, the multi-award winning company behind The Play That Goes Wrong, is bringing Christmas Carol Goes Wrong to venues across the UK, Australia, and Los Angeles for Christmas 2026 . Tour Details: Manchester Opera House: 17-21 November 2026 Portsmouth's Kings Theatre: 24-28 November 2026 Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles: 12 December 2026 – 10 January 2027 Gold Coast, Australia (Hota): 4-12 December 2026 Sydney Opera House: 17-29 December 2026 West End, Wyndham's Theatre: 18 December 2026 – 23 January 2027 Cast Highlights: Most of the original UK cast returning, including Henry Shields, Allie Dart, Matt Cavendish, and Jonathan Sayer Written by original Mischief Members Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields Plot: The Cornley Amateur Drama Society attempts to tackle Charles Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, with disastrous and chaotic results . https://images.pexels.com/photos/672884/pexels-photos-672884.jpeg Industry Summary Christmas 2026 is characterized by:
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Christmas on the Wharf: Monterey's Festive Celebration
Fisherman's Wharf in Monterey hosts "Christmas on the Wharf" from 4-20 December 2026, featuring Santa visits, choir performances, dancers, and beautiful decorations . Event Details: Runs 9am to 10pm Free community event Traditional Christmas celebrations on the historic wharf
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
AI Influence on Christmas Gift Buying Set to Grow
Currently, under 10% of gift buyers use AI tools for Christmas gift inspiration, but this is expected to grow as artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into consumer shopping behaviour . What's Next: AI tools can help consumers discover unique gift ideas Potential to personalise gift recommendations based on recipient preferences Emerging influence on consumer gifting behaviour
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Livestream Shopping Opens Doors for Small Christmas Brands
Over one fifth of gift buyers get inspiration from social media, creating opportunities for smaller brands to gain visibility during the festive season . Opportunities: Livestream shopping allows brands to demonstrate products, answer questions, and build anticipation for festive ranges in real time Supports a community-driven retail model For smaller retailers and independent makers, livestream commerce could become an important route to visibility in Christmas 2026, particularly as consumers increasingly seek unique gifts and locally made products
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Licensed Collaborations Create Standout Christmas Products
Licensed collaborations are offering retailers a scalable way to create standout Christmas products without developing entirely new ranges . Successful Examples: Partnerships with franchises such as Stranger Things, Wicked, and other major entertainment launches generated strong engagement and gift appeal in 2025 Selfridges' Disney collaboration for Christmas 2025 featured collectible seasonal builds, nostalgic character motifs, and limited-edition ornaments These types of collaborations tap directly into the emotional and nostalgic appeal that often drives festive purchasing decisions, transforming trending gifts into memorable keepsakes .
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Source:Holiday Party / Time:2026-08-28
Consumers Seeking Quality and Originality Over Discounts
While promotions are a key factor, shoppers are increasingly focused on quality, originality, and convenience when choosing Christmas gifts . Key Consumer Trends: Over half of UK shoppers would buy from local or small businesses if products were clearly signposted Others would consider second-hand gifts if they came in attractive packaging Consumers aren't simply searching for trending gifts, but for gifts that feel meaningful and distinctive Implication: Retailers cannot rely solely on discounts but must also create compelling moments that stand out within an already crowded promotional calendar .
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