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Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday 31 October, so trick or treating in Stratford-upon-Avon is likely to start earlier in the afternoon than on a school night. Here’s how to make it fun and safe, an organised trick or treat in town, and two free signs to print and put in your window: one welcoming trick or treaters, and one saying no thank you.
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Free printable trick or treat signs
Not everyone wants the doorbell ringing all evening, and that’s fine. Print one of our signs and put it in your front window or on the door:
- Trick or treaters welcome (A4, PDF)
- Sorry, no trick or treat. Happy Halloween! (A4, PDF)
A carved pumpkin or Halloween decorations on the doorstep is the traditional sign that a house is happy to have callers.
Warwickshire Police also has its own “Sorry, no trick or treat” posters in A4 and A5, if you’d rather use theirs.
Warwickshire Police’s Halloween advice
The police say Halloween can be stressful for some residents, and they ask trick or treaters to:
- Go with an adult. Young people should never go trick or treating alone.
- Only knock on the doors of people you know, and never go into a stranger’s house.
- Keep to well-lit areas, wear bright clothing, carry a torch and remember road safety.
- Not visit elderly neighbours unless it’s been arranged, and take care not to frighten vulnerable people.
- Keep tricks within the law: anything that causes damage is an offence and will be dealt with as one.
A few more tips
- Older children should go in a group and tell someone their route and when they’ll be back.
- Look for a pumpkin or decorations: it’s the traditional sign a house is happy to have callers. Never knock where there’s a “no trick or treat” sign.
- Add something reflective to dark costumes, especially on unlit country lanes.
- Check the sweets before they’re eaten, especially for allergies.
Tips if you’re giving out sweets
- Put a pumpkin, lights or decorations out so callers know you’re happy to see them.
- Keep the path clear and well lit so nobody trips.
- Have a bowl of individually wrapped treats ready, plus something for children with allergies if you can.
- When you’ve run out, or you’ve had enough, blow out the pumpkin and take the decorations in.
Organised trick or treating in Stratford
If you’d rather go somewhere set up for it, Riverside Stratford on Tiddington Road has trick or treating on Thursday 29 October from 5pm to 6.30pm, after its pumpkin carving finale (3pm–5pm) and before a campfire with ghost stories and marshmallows (7pm–8.30pm). See the Riverside events calendar.
On Halloween afternoon, Saturday 31 October, Riverside also has a kids’ fancy dress disco from 3pm to 6pm.
More Halloween in Stratford
- Halloween in Stratford-upon-Avon 2026: everything on this month.
- Pumpkin picking near Stratford: get your pumpkin first.
- Halloween days out near Stratford.
- October half-term in Stratford.
Trick or treating: questions
When is Halloween 2026?
Saturday 31 October 2026, the day after Warwickshire’s October half-term week ends.
What time does trick or treating start?
There’s no official time. Most families with young children go out from late afternoon until early evening. With Halloween on a Saturday this year, expect callers from late afternoon.
How do I stop trick or treaters knocking?
Put a sign in your window. You can print our free “no trick or treat” sign, and keep the porch light and decorations off.
Alex Harrington
Alex Harrington grew up in Stratford-upon-Avon and runs What's up, Stratford? as an independent guide to the town.
