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By Alice Gibbs
Senior Reporter
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Halloween celebrations are getting a bonus this year—an extra hour in the night.
When daylight saving time ends at 2 a.m. on November 1, clocks in most parts of the country will roll back to 1 a.m., effectively adding an extra hour to the night.
But what does that mean for Americans? An extra hour in bed? Or more time in the bar?
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Will Bars Stay Open an Hour Later?
Clocks across 48 states will turn back one hour, and on the night of Halloween, often marked with trick-or-treating and late-night partying, an extra hour of fun may be welcome for many.
Whether people get an extra hour in the bar on Halloween night can vary hugely thanks to differing state liquor laws.
Some state laws explicitly state whether alcohol sales can continue when the clock rolls back to 1 a.m., while others require service to end according to the normal permitted period.
For example, in New York, a spokesperson for the state's alcohol regulator told Newsweek on background that daylight saving time does not change legal closing hours. When clocks fall back on November 1, establishments permitted to serve alcohol until 2 a.m. may remain open through the repeated 1 a.m. hour.
Elsewhere though, regulators can require alcohol service to end according to the normal permitted period or otherwise prevent venues from using the clock change as an automatic extension.
A bar’s particular license and local rules can matter too, as well as individual bars decisions.
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Do You Get An Extra Hour of Sleep on Halloween?
In theory, the clock change will provide an extra hour in bed. Because the clocks repeat the hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m., someone who goes to bed and wakes at their usual clock times has an opportunity for an additional hour of sleep. But getting an extra hour on the clock does not necessarily mean everyone will sleep for an additional hour, particularly as the time change itself can disrupt the body's internal clock.
Dr. John Saito, sleep physician and spokesperson from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM), told Newsweek that many people may notice a negative impact on their energy levels, mood and ability to fall asleep and wake up.
“Even a one-hour clock change can disrupt the body's internal clock, making it harder to adjust to the new schedule,” Saito said.
Time changes can disrupt sleep because of the body’s natural internal clock, known as the circadian rhythm.
“This system helps regulate when you feel alert and when you feel sleepy. Exposure to sunlight, especially in the morning, plays an important role in keeping that clock aligned with the day-night cycle,” Saito said. “When daily schedules shift, even by one hour, it can take time for your body to adjust. These effects can be especially challenging for children and teens, or people who are already not getting enough sleep or have an underlying sleep disorder.”
Saito also shared tips for adjusting to the time change.
“Prioritize your sleep. Get at least seven hours of sleep per night before and after the time change,” he said. He also suggests starting to adjust bedtimes early, shifting bedtime slightly later in the days before the clock change.
“Set your clocks to the new time on Saturday evening and go to bed at your normal bedtime,” Saito said, adding that everyone should be mindful of afternoon caffeine and give kids extra time to adjust to changes.
“Children and adolescents may need more time to adapt, so keep bedtime routines steady,” he said.
Do I Need To Change My Clocks?
Phones and many other internet-connected devices should update automatically as the clocks change, but traditional clocks and some appliances will need to be changed manually.
When Was The Last Time Daylight Savings Was on Halloween?
The end of daylight saving time falling on Halloween is unusual, with the last time being on October 31, 2004.
At the time, U.S. daylight saving time ended on the last Sunday in October, meaning the clocks were turned back an hour on Halloween itself.
This was changed following the Energy Policy Act of 2005, which extended daylight saving time in the U.S. Beginning in 2007, the autumn clock change was moved to the first Sunday in November.
The change makes this year particularly unusual, with Halloween falling on Saturday and daylight saving time ending just hours later on November 1. The last time this occurred was in 2020, when Halloween fell on the Saturday immediately before the time change.
This will not happen again until 2037, when Halloween and daylight saving time will align as October 31 falls on a Saturday again.
Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Federica Bindi and Emma Lee-Sang
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