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Your guide to Halloween 2024 shopping in Delaware with local events, contests and sales

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Your guide to Halloween 2024 shopping in Delaware with local events, contests and sales

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Halloween is just around the corner, and a majority of Americans have begun their planning and shopping for Halloween costumes.

According to the National Retail Federation, an estimated $12.2 billion was spent on Halloween last year across the country, nearly a third of which was spent on costumes, and the shopping wave seems to start earlier and earlier.

Here are some stores around Delaware to look for the perfect costumes and decorations this Halloween season, plus some events and contests that will get the spooky season started.

Big-box Halloween stores

Major retailers are bringing back Halloween costumes and decorations; some have been in operation for over a month now.

Spirit Halloween, the nation’s largest Halloween retailer, has opened three storefronts around Delaware, bringing back new themed costumes, decorations and animatronics for the season.

Delaware’s three Spirit Halloween stores for 2024:

  1. 261 N. Dupont Highway, Dover; formerly Walgreens
  2. 241 Grove Lane, Newark; formerly Walgreens
  3. 4703 Kirkwood Highway, Milltown; formerly Mandees

Party City also carries a large assortment of costumes, indoor and outdoor decorations and party accessories for the Halloween season. Delaware’s two locations have both curbside pickup and scheduled or same-day delivery options available for when you’re in a time crunch or looking for that last-minute costume.

Delaware’s two Party City locations

  1. 1047 N. Dupont Highway, Dover
  2. 1297 Churchmans Road, Newark

Other big-box retail stores like Five Below, Dollar General, Walmart and Target also will be stocked with plenty of costumes, decorations and candy to dole out and snack on as Halloween creeps up.

Local costumes and decorations

If you’re looking to shop locally, or get some more use out of your costume elements, Delaware’s thrift stores are geared up for Halloween costume and decoration shopping. There also are some prizes up for grabs at various storefronts soon:

The Haunted Experience

1257 Quintilio Drive, Bear

The Haunted Experience in Bear is your local one-stop shop for all things costumes and accessories. The store has everything from costume packs for all ages, masks, props, makeup as well as pumpkin-carving kits, treat bags and more.

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The store announced that many costumes are between 40% to 60% off, with a 10% discount available for students, first responders, military members and senior citizens with valid proof of identification.

Its 15th annual Family Fun Day will take place Saturday, Sept. 28, from noon until 3 p.m. The event features all types of activities for the afternoon event including a fashion show, treat bags, face painting, snacks, raffles, scavenger hunts, psychic readings and more.

Hours:

  • Monday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Friday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County

300 E. Lea Blvd., Wilmington

If you’re looking to DIY your costume this year, it may be well worth your time and money if you shop at Goodwill in Fox Point.

This year, if you find at least three pieces of your costume from the Goodwill of Delaware and Delaware County between Sept. 27 and Nov. 7, you can enter into Goodwill’s Halloween Costume Contest by uploading a photo of the costume to the online database.

First place in the contest will receive a $250 Visa gift card, second place will win a $100 Visa gift card and third place will win a $75 Visa gift card. The contest is open to customers of the Goodwill who are at least 18 years of age. Parents are allowed to enter their children in the contest. Proof of purchase for the Goodwill items is required, so keep those receipts!

Hours

  • Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

New Life Thrift Shop

34686 Jiffy Way, Lewes

Starting Monday, Sept. 30, New Life Thrift Shop in Lewes will hold its seventh annual Halloween Extravaganza, when the Halloween costumes and accessories will be officially on the market. The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Different discounts are available every day for certain items, and are posted on the store’s website.

Donations can be made to the store Mondays through Fridays from 10 am. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

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Hours

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Thursdays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Prime Thrift

2004 W. Newport Pike, near Newport

Prime Thrift’s Newport-area location is also selling Halloween merchandise like masks, costumes, noise makers and artificial decorations for your home.

Military members receive a discount of 25% every day at Prime Thrift. Customers aged 55 and up can save 25% off their purchase on Mondays and Wednesdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, students, teachers and first responders are all eligible for 25% off their purchase.

Every Sunday, certain tagged items are 50% off for all customers.

Hours:

  • Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
  • Sunday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Molly McVety covers community and environmental issues around Delaware. Contact her at mmcvety@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter @mollymcvety.  

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