Ohio
What’s Up With That? Why isn’t trick or treating always on Halloween?
Halloween safety tips for fun and safe trick-or-treating
Safety is key to enjoying Halloween festivities. The FDA and CDC offer these tips for costumes, candy and trick-or-treating to keep you safe this year.
Why do central Ohio communities trick or treat on nights other than Halloween?
This week’s What’s Up With That? is a personal one, as it’s a query I’ve had since I moved to Columbus nearly seven years ago. What’s the origin of central Ohio’s complex (to outsiders) tradition of holding trick or treating (or Beggars Night, as some call it) on nights other than Oct. 31?
It is a question that has been asked and answered by The Columbus Dispatch before. But to save you a journey through our archives, I’ll recap the history here.
Why does central Ohio schedule trick-or-treating on nights other than Halloween?
Up until 2005, when the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission adopted the current system for recommending when communities should hold trick-or-treating, Columbus hadn’t held the event on Halloween itself in 90 years, according to past Dispatch reporting.
Columbus historically held a raucous Downtown Halloween party on Oct. 31, according to our archives, prompting the preference for Oct. 30 as the day kids could collect candy. That party was discontinued in the 1950s over too much revelry, but Oct. 30 trick-or-treating persisted.
MORPC took on its role as trick-or-treat scheduler in 1993 and adopted the current system it uses to choose the date in 2005. MORPC’s recommendation is just that; communities are still free to set their own trick-or-treating days and times.
When is central Ohio trick-or-treating in 2025?
Here’s MORPC’s system: When Halloween falls on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday, trick or treat typically takes place the Thursday before Oct. 31 in central Ohio. When Halloween falls on a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday, expect costumed kids on the day itself.
In 2015, a MORPC spokesman told the Dispatch the system was meant to increase convenience for families. Friday or Saturday night trick or treating could conflict with football (as could Sunday, for that matter, although in central Ohio it’s largely the first two putting a dent in people’s calendars).
Since Halloween falls on a Friday this year, the recommended trick-or-treat date is Oct. 30, and cities and towns have official candy-calling hours of 6-8 p.m.
But there are exceptions. Here’s a look at which Franklin County communities are going their own way:
- Bexley: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Grandview Heights: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
- Groveport: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Madison Township: 5:30 to 7 p.m. Oct. 30
- Worthington: 6 to 8 p.m. Oct. 31
You can see other communities’ hours in this list we published in early October.
Have a question about Columbus? I’ll find your answer
What other weird central Ohio traditions would you like to have explained? I’m happy to track down the information. Or just curious what that development is, or why the traffic pattern you hate is the way it is?
Email ekennedy@dispatch.com and I will see what I can do.
Eleanor Kennedy is the senior digital director of the Columbus Dispatch. She can breached at ekennedy@dispatch.com.
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 23, 2026, results for each game:
Mega Millions
Mega Millions drawings take place every week on Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.
48-51-60-63-66, Mega Ball: 20
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 8-8-0
Evening: 2-0-5
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 7-2-9-0
Evening: 1-6-9-3
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 2-9-2-5-7
Evening: 2-8-6-4-9
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
03-09-22-37-39
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
TEMPE, AZ – JANUARY 02: Head coach Jim Tressel of the Ohio State Buckeyes holds the football from the trophy after the Buckeyes defeated the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the Tostito’s Fiesta Bowl at Sun Devil Stadium on January 2, 2006 in Tempe, Arizona. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 34-20. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
The Ohio Lottery offers multiple draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 22, 2026, results for each game:
Powerball
Powerball drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10:59 p.m.
17-19-21-45-48, Powerball: 13, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 3
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 3-0-7
Evening: 1-5-2
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 4
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 8-8-0-9
Evening: 8-4-4-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Pick 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at 12:29 p.m. and 7:29 p.m., except Saturday evening.
Midday: 9-0-3-1-2
Evening: 7-9-6-0-7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Rolling Cash 5
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
10-16-19-23-35
Check Rolling Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Classic Lotto
Drawings are held Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, at approximately 7:05 p.m.
13-16-28-35-41-44, Kicker: 7-6-2-8-1-3
Check Classic Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Millionaire for Life
Drawings are held daily, seven days a week, at approximately 11:15 p.m.
07-08-20-24-42, Bonus: 05
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by an Enquirer digital news director. You can send feedback using this form.
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