9:30 p.m. deadline for under-13s in Philadelphia as Halloween falls on a Saturday
The city maintains its standard youth curfew, while surrounding towns in New Jersey and Pennsylvania adopt varying limits or specific trick-or-treat windows.
By Ryan Davidson ·
Philadelphia’s youth curfew remains in effect on Halloween night, a fact that may surprise families planning for late-night candy runs. The city code does not exempt the holiday from its standard time limits. Children aged 13 and younger must be off public streets by 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 31. Teens between the ages of 14 and 17 have until 10 p.m. These restrictions last until 6 a.m. on Sunday.
The city allows specific exceptions to the curfew. Parents can keep children out if they are with a guardian, heading to or from work, running an errand, managing an emergency, or participating in a supervised activity. The Philadelphia Code serves as the governing document for these rules, which apply regardless of the day of the week.
In neighboring South Jersey, local municipalities have established their own distinct timelines. Merchantville’s Borough Council adopted a resolution setting an 8 p.m. curfew for both Mischief Night on Oct. 30 and Halloween. That restriction also ends at 6 a.m. In Voorhees, the curfew for those 17 and under is 9 p.m. on Mischief Night. For Halloween, local reports indicate trick-or-treating is permitted from 2 to 9 p.m.
Haddon Township police state that the township’s standing code requires children under 17 to be off the streets by 10 p.m. on both nights. Other communities in the region have prioritized specific candy windows over strict curfews. Haddon Heights and Mantua Township have set hours from 3 to 8 p.m. Gloucester City allows trick-or-treating from 2 to 7 p.m. The Haddonfield mayor’s office suggests a 3 to 6 p.m. window for residents.
Across the Delaware River in Pennsylvania, most suburbs are posting recommended hours rather than mandatory curfews. Perkasie in Bucks County has set a 6 to 9 p.m. window for Saturday. Richland Township in the same county suggests 6 to 8 p.m. Haverford Township in Delaware County has not set official hours, though 6 to 8 p.m. is the most common window statewide according to FrightMaps.
Several towns have not yet finalized their 2026 rules. In South Jersey, Cherry Hill, Moorestown, Mount Laurel, and Deptford have not posted hours. In Pennsylvania, West Chester, Downingtown, Phoenixville, and Pottstown remain silent on their schedules. Local officials may issue last-minute updates as the Saturday date approaches.
Residents should also note the shift in daylight saving time. Clocks fall back one hour at 2 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 1, which will affect the timing of any late-night returns home.
