After 85 Years, Des Moines Finally Celebrates Trick-or-Treating on Halloween Night

Des Moines Breaks Tradition: 

The tradition, which sees kids in costumes collecting candy a day before Halloween, has been a staple of the Des Moines metro area since the 1930s, with October 30 set aside for festivities.

The shift to Halloween night comes after severe weather interrupted Beggars’ Night. Thunderstorms and dense fog created unsafe conditions on October 30, while Halloween itself is expected to have clear skies and mild temperatures ranging from the 40s to 50s.

“To my knowledge, Beggars’ Night has never been moved or canceled since it began after Halloween in 1938,” stated Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte. “But ensuring the safety of our residents, families, and children is our highest priority, so moving Beggars’ Night this year was the right decision.”

The story of Beggars’ Night dates back to a particularly turbulent Halloween in 1938. On that night, Des Moines saw an uptick in vandalism, with over 500 police calls for acts like fires, window smashing, and disrupted street cars. In response, officials established a new night specifically for children to trick-or-treat under adult supervision. Halloween itself would be reserved for other activities and family events, marking October 30 as a “safe” night for candy collection. In keeping with the new Beggars' Night tradition, kids would have to recite a poem, tell a joke, or sing a song in exchange for treats, adding an extra element of charm.

By the 1940s, the plan had worked, with Des Moines reporting fewer Halloween disturbances each year. What began as a community safety measure grew into an annual ritual beloved by locals.

This year, however, even before the weather concerns, some communities had already moved their trick-or-treat events to the Saturday before Halloween, avoiding a weeknight celebration. Mayor Connie Boesen has also announced that the city will survey residents to consider an official change to move Beggars’ Night to the weekend in future years.

For the children, Halloween’s date change is secondary to the real objective. As 9-year-old Lucy Jaksich explained to KCCI, “It matters a little, but candy’s candy.”