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.
Mason Reed 
Summer is still in full swing across Alabama, and while many students have yet to head back to class, the unmistakable signs of the spooky season have officially arrived. That can mean only one thing: Spirit Halloween has returned.
Spooky Season Hits Alabama
The seasonal retail giant is back in action, transforming vacant storefronts into immersive destinations for all things macabre. From bedazzled Michael Myers and Ghostface masks to life-sized, terrifying animatronics and clown displays, the stores are ready to give shoppers an early scare.
As 205focus.com reported, the national retail chain kicked off the season with a massive flagship store opening in Egg Harbor, N.J. That event drew thousands, with a spokesperson estimating roughly 1,000 general admission attendees in addition to the 2,000 who preregistered, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Local Openings and What to Expect
South Alabama is already getting in on the action, with locations in Daphne, Dothan, and Mobile opening their doors this past Saturday. The Daphne location debuted at 1 p.m. in a strip mall, while Mobile residents can find their local shop in a former Big Lots space at Springdale Mall.
If you aren't near those spots yet, don't worry. There are 14 locations planned across the state according to the company’s website. Planned sites include a former Best Buy in Hoover, a former Dirt Cheap in Anniston, a former Big Lots in Florence, and a former Bargain Hunt store in Gadsden.
Huntsville residents can expect two new stores along University Drive later this month. Additionally, the Birmingham area is slated to get a location in a former Hibbett Sports, and a second Mobile store is on the way at the Festival Shopping Center on Airport Boulevard.
Since its inception in 1983, Spirit Halloween has mastered the art of the temporary retail takeover. Whether you are looking for costumes for all ages or high-end props and decorations, these pop-ups are the perfect place to get a head start on your Halloween planning.
