The South Milwaukee Common Council has voted to move the official trick-or-treating time to the Saturday before Halloween, from 5 to 7 p.m. In 2023, that puts trick-or-treating on Saturday, October 28.
Previously — since 2012 — the city had held trick-or-treating on Halloween night, the only community in the county to do this annually. It was previously held on Sundays before Halloween.
I’m disappointed in the decision. You can read my rationale for, as an alderman, leading the charge to move to trick-or-treating to Halloween in this post. Simply put, trick-or-treating should be on Halloween — not on October 25, for example, on which it will fall in 2025. Moving it to Halloween, and keeping it there, added authenticity to the fun family holiday. We lose that now.
I heard some complaints over the years — the biggest being the timing on a weeknight — but believe most received the change well. I was hoping this would be a long-term positive point of difference for our city.
Instead, I’ll mark my calendar for October 28, and get the firepit ready for the driveway. Happy Halloween!
South Milwaukee Blog 
I absolutely agree! What’s the rationale for moving it to a non-Halloween day? Far more Trick-or-Treaters come through my neighborhood–and ring my doorbell–on Halloween than they did in those olden days (2012 and earlier). Plus, the costumes are more creative.
GREAT move!! Darn near a quarter of SM in southwest area had a Trick or Treat on Saturday closest to Halloween for over 25 years, this way city is all on same day and let people have ONE choice!!!
Oh this is a bummer. I guess I didn’t know about the decision when it was made. I’ve always looked forward to having a Halloween Trick or Treat and all the kids our neighborhood gets. It was a favorite yearly event for my family. Wish it was still on Halloween.
I’m disappointed that it was moved to Saturday… It should be on Halloween.
Why was it changed, it should have been left alone and should be on Halloween, disappointed in this decision.
Disappointing decision.