Cincinnati Ranks Sixth Nationwide for Halloween Activity

Cincinnati has been named the sixth-best city in the United States for celebrating Halloween. The ranking comes from a study by BC Game that evaluated major US cities based on their Halloween offerings.

The research calculated a single Halloween Score out of 100 for each location. Analysts measured the number of Halloween events, ghost and haunted attractions, costume shops, and candy and chocolate shops. They adjusted these figures for population size to create the final metric.

The study identified more than 200 events in Cincinnati for Halloween night. These include the Nightmare at the Banks and the Cincinnati Fear Fest. The city’s density of costume shops and candy retailers also contributed to its high ranking.

Traditional Halloween hubs still dominated the top of the list. Salem, Massachusetts, and Anoka, Minnesota, took the highest spots. However, Cincinnati’s combination of parties, haunted attractions, and retail options kept it in the top tier.

October 31 falls on a Saturday this year. This timing may extend the celebration into a full weekend. The study suggests that the variety of activities makes the city a destination for residents and visitors alike.

The ranking reflects current data on available attractions and events. It does not measure weather conditions or historical attendance numbers. The score stands as a snapshot of the city's Halloween infrastructure for 2026.