Halloween Returns: Take a Look Inside Alabama’s First Spirit Halloween Stores of 2026
Spirit Halloween has begun opening stores across Alabama, giving shoppers an early look at this year's costumes, animatronics and spooky décor weeks before many schools return to class.
Ethan Parker 
Summer heat is still holding strong across Alabama, and for many students, the first day of school is still on the horizon. However, the first chilling whispers of the spooky season have arrived early, signaling that it is officially time for Spirit Halloween to reclaim its throne.
Spooky Season Returns to Alabama
The nation's largest seasonal Halloween retailer is back in business, breathing new life into vacant storefronts across the state. Whether you are hunting for the latest high-tech animatronics, terrifying clown displays, or iconic masks like Ghostface and Michael Myers, these shops are fully stocked and ready for business.
The retail giant kicked off its 2026 season with a massive flagship opening in Egg Harbor, N.J. on Saturday. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the event was a major draw, with thousands of fans showing up to get their first look at this year's inventory.
New Locations Across the State
South Alabama shoppers didn't have to wait long to join the fun, as stores in Daphne, Dothan, and Mobile opened their doors this past Saturday. The Daphne location has set up shop in a strip mall, while the Mobile store has moved into a former Big Lots space at Springdale Mall.
205focus.com has confirmed there is plenty more to come. Per the company’s official store locator, 14 locations are planned for Alabama. Shoppers can expect stores to pop up in a variety of repurposed spaces, including a former Best Buy in Hoover, a former Dirt Cheap in Anniston, a former Big Lots in Florence, and a former Bargain Hunt in Gadsden.
The expansion continues throughout the month, with two locations slated for University Drive in Huntsville, a new spot in a former Hibbett Sports in the Birmingham area, and a secondary Mobile location arriving at the Festival Shopping Center on Airport Boulevard.
Since launching its first storefronts in 1983, the retailer has perfected the art of the immersive Halloween shopping experience. With a massive inventory ranging from costumes for all ages to elaborate props and decorations, Alabama fans can get a massive jump on their holiday planning starting today.
