As Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, metro Atlanta neighborhoods from Buckhead to Marietta and Decatur are gearing up for a full night of trick-or-treating.
Rising candy prices have some households mixing in cheaper options or cutting back, but demand remains high. Americans are projected to spend $4.1 billion on Halloween candy in 2026, up from $3.9 billion the prior year, even as prices have risen about 8.1% according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Top Halloween Candies in Metro Atlanta in 2026
Local and regional data highlight a preference for fruity, hard, and gummy treats alongside classic chocolates. Kroger’s Atlanta Division (covering Georgia, eastern Alabama, and South Carolina) reported its top three Halloween treats this season as candy corn, Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkins, and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups—no individual sales rankings provided, but the list underscores strong regional loyalty to both the polarizing classic and peanut butter chocolate staples.
CandyStore.com Rankings for Georgia
CandyStore.com’s 2026 analysis, built on 18 years of bulk Halloween candy sales projections, puts Jolly Ranchers firmly in the No. 1 spot for Georgia for the second consecutive year. Rounding out the top three are NERDS Gummy Clusters (a newcomer that jumped into the national top 10 and finished in the top three in seven states) and Swedish Fish.
Local coverage from WSB Radio specifically advised metro Atlanta residents handing out treats to stock up on fruit-flavored hard candy to match local tastes.0 Nationally, M&M’s held the overall No. 1 position, while Sour Patch Kids tied it for the most state wins (10 each). NERDS Gummy Clusters debuted at No. 5 nationwide, signaling a broader shift toward gummies and non-chocolate options—seven of the 12 states that switched favorites this year moved away from chocolate.
Instacart and Broader Trends
Instacart data based on October purchase shares shows Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups as Georgia’s (and much of the country’s) best-seller by volume, with Skittles standing out for accounting for a larger share of candy purchases in the state than the national average. Georgia shoppers also buy candy at a rate about 10% above the national average on the platform.5 Earlier Kroger notes from the region have similarly highlighted Skittles and chocolate favorites like Reese’s, Hershey’s, and Kit Kat.
Candy corn remains a steady if divisive seller. While surveys often rank it among the least-liked candies (sometimes topping “hate” lists in Georgia and elsewhere due to its texture and flavor), sales data and Kroger’s Atlanta Division ranking show it continues to move in the Southeast. Nationally it has hovered in the top 10 on CandyStore projections (recently around No. 8). One CandyStore survey found 56% of respondents said they love it.
What to Stock for Atlanta Trick-or-Treaters
A well-balanced bowl in metro Atlanta might include:
- Jolly Ranchers or other hard fruit candies for the top local preference and durability.
- NERDS Gummy Clusters or Swedish Fish for the rising gummy crowd.
- Reese’s Cups or Pumpkins for broad appeal.
- A measured amount of candy corn for the dedicated fans (and the inevitable debate).
- Classics like Skittles, M&M’s, or Snickers that perform well across datasets.
Variety bags remain popular for mixing tastes. With higher prices, some households are stretching supplies with hard candies, cookies, or other non-candy treats while still prioritizing the proven favorites. Whether you’re filling bowls in Midtown, the suburbs, or further out in the metro area, matching these data-backed preferences should keep the little ghosts and goblins happy on Halloween night.