DES MOINES, Iowa — For the first time since 1938, children in Des Moines, Iowa, will experience trick-or-treating on Halloween itself.

Traditionally, Halloween has been marked by door-to-door candy collection across much of the United States; however, Des Moines adopted a unique approach over seventy years ago to curb vandalism. Instead of celebrating Halloween, local children participate in Beggars’ Night, which is usually held a day prior to Halloween. The celebration includes not just the familiar “Trick-or-Treat” chant, but also the expectation that children will perform a joke before receiving their treats.

This year, Beggars’ Night was originally scheduled for Wednesday, but due to the forecast of severe rain and thunderstorms, the city’s officials made the decision to postpone trick-or-treating until Thursday, which coincidentally aligns with the traditional Halloween observed elsewhere.

“From what I know, it has never been rescheduled or canceled since the tradition began in 1938,” noted Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte. “Nevertheless, the safety of our residents, families, and children is paramount, and that prompted this year’s adjustment to the schedule for Beggars’ Night.”

The city’s distinctive Halloween tradition was initiated based on a proposal from a former parks director, aimed at minimizing vandalism while fostering enjoyable activities for children. Initially, kids were encouraged to sing, recite poetry, or provide other forms of entertainment, but over time, telling a joke has become the predominant expectation of this festive night.

Beggars’ Night also has defined hours, typically taking place between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. Many surrounding suburbs have embraced this custom of Beggars’ Night but opted to align their celebrations with Halloween this year.

“I wasn’t aware that we were such an outlier because for us, this has always been the norm,” commented Debbie Westphal Swander, owner of a costume shop in West Des Moines. “At least this year, we’ll be celebrating in sync with the rest of the nation.”

“The crucial aspect for me is ensuring that the event remains centered around the kids. That’s truly what it’s all about.”