Halloween Weekly Update: August 24–30, 2026

We’re back with a new Weekly Update, and Halloween season is officially kicking into high gear! This week, Lyle and Meghan catch up on the latest Halloween news, including Target pulling a controversial Halloween costume, Hershey unveiling its biggest “Hersheyween” lineup yet, and Hotel Transylvania joining SeaWorld Orlando’s Halloween Spooktacular. Around the Crypt, we visit Roger’s Gardens for its Moonlight Masquerade Halloween experience, talk about NXT Halloween Havoc landing on Halloween night, and check out two very different Halloween celebrations returning to the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Meghan also brings us the latest Code Orange sightings and This Week in Horror History. We also take some time to remember several people we’ve lost since our last Weekly Update, read two new five-star reviews, welcome a new member into the Pumpkin Room, and talk about what’s ahead as the Countdown to Halloween gets closer. Plus, we welcome our newest sponsor, Dead Tired Coffee Company. Halloween Podcast listeners can use code HALLOWEENPOD to get any 12 oz bag of coffee for $20, with an equivalent discount on other products in the shop, plus a free decal. There are only 61 days until Halloween! Story Links Target Pulls Halloween Costume After Backlash:https://www.kxan.com/news/offensive-target-issues-apology-after-halloween-costume-backlash/amp/ Hershey Unveils Its 2026 “Hersheyween” Lineup:https://www.silive.com/news/2026/08/hersheyween-2026-salty-gummy-and-fruity-varieties-expand.html Roger’s Gardens Opens Moonlight Masquerade:https://www.latimes.com/socal/daily-pilot/news/story/2026-08-28/new-halloween-tradition-returns-with-moonlight-masquerade-boutique NXT Halloween Havoc Returns October 31:https://411mania.com/wrestling/nxt-halloween-havoc-announced-october-31st/ Boo at the Zoo & Night of the Living Zoo Return:https://wtop.com/local/2026/08/boo-at-the-zoo-night-of-the-living-zoo-return-to-national-zoo-this-october/ Dead Tired Coffee Company Use code HALLOWEENPOD to get any 12 oz bag for $20, an equivalent discount on other products in the shop, and a free decal. https://dead-tiredcoffeecompany.com/discount/HALLOWEENPOD The Halloween Podcast Website: https://www.TheHalloweenPodcast.com Patreon: https://www.Patreon.com/TheHalloweenPod Facebook: https://www.Facebook.com/TheHalloweenPodcast Instagram: https://www.Instagram.com/TheHalloweenPodcast YouTube: https://www.YouTube.com/TheHalloweenPodcast Email: [email protected] Haunt Line: 731-400-0472 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.