2026 Countdown Badges

Flesh off the presses, the 2026 Countdown badges have arrived courtesy of dark artist Chad Savage.

 

So far we've only had about 30 folks sign up so if you know anyone that might want to join in our little internet block party, send em this way! I'm updating the 2026 Cryptkeeper list over on the right as people sign up. 

 

UPDATE To make sure everyone sees it: I update the Cryptkeeper list on weekends. If you sign up during the week and don't see your blog, check back on the following Monday. If it's still not there, let me know. 

 

As I'm working on my own Countdown stuff today, I'm rockin out to some heavy metal horror in the shape of Van Helsing's Curse: Oculus Infernum narrated by Dee Snider.

 

2026 Countdown

Sixty days to go and the Spirit stores are wide open! 

Sign ups are available over on the right.

 

As always, I'm looking for a volunteer, or two, to conjure up the blogger badges for this year. We typically have around 4-6 every year so even if you only want to contribute two, it's a big help!

 

I know a lot of us have our own Halloween traditions throughout the spooky season but is there anything you do to "officially" kick things off every year? For me, the first piece of macabre media I consume is The Story and Song from the Haunted Mansion album (Disney, 1969) starring lil' Ronny Howard. Join me, won't you?

 

  

 

Top 20 Halloween Blogs

 

Happy first day of Summerween!

 

I got an email from Feedspot this week letting me know that our very own blog was included in their Top 20 of Best Halloween Blogs to Follow! We're in good company with the likes of Spooky Little Halloween and Your Best Halloween Ever. You can check out that list here.

 

Does Code Orange count for Summerween? If so, I spotted some very cute throws and matching pillows at Walmart.

 

 With this being just the first day of Summerween, I'm sure we'll be seeing more merch on the shelves!

Happy Halloween 2025!

 

Whatever you're doing tonight, here's hoping you have a magical night filled with treats and just maybe, a couple tricks. 

The forecast earlier in the week for Salem was rain but it's looking like we're due for a dry, but very windy, night. Looking forward to the wind for dramatic billowing cape action! 

 

Whether you're posting or just reading, thanks for being part of the annual Countdown! 

13 Days to Go!

 

It's creeping up quickly, isn't it?

 

I got to thinking the other day, wondering how long the Countdown has been going on. I know Shawn Robare and John Rozum had the reins when I first joined back in 2014 and it's passed through a few hands since then.

 

Then I remembered "Duh, the post history is right on the front page." So I went back and browsed through some of the very firsts posts from 2009 that started this whole thing off. It was fun delving into the previous Countdown posts and seeing where this all began.

 

I found this neat video posted by Jon Knutson and thought it was worth re-posting here for those (like me) that didn't see it in 2009.

  

You've Got Red on You

 

 

Boy do I ever! All over my face!

I accidentally figured out today that comment moderation was enabled here but with no email address set to approve them! 

After fixing that oversight, I went through and approved all your comments since 2024. 

All this time, I didn't know the nice things you folks were saying so now I'll say thank you!  

Happy October!

  

 

Thank you to everyone that's joining the Countdown this year. I'm happy to see so many turning out that are still keeping blogging alive

 

The signup form has been closed for this year but in case your hearse got a flat on the way to to cemetery, you can email Dex1138(at)gmail.com. 

Ben Farthing's The 31st Trick-or-Treater

I don't usually post stuff like this here but if you guys aren't the audience for this, I don't know who is! I've been a big fan of author Ben Farthings "I Found" horror story series and am excited to check out his latest, The 31st Trick-or-Treater.

Last Halloween, thirty trick-or-treaters vanished into the night. This October, they’re coming back—one by one, each day of the month. But every child carries the same chilling warning: something is returning on the 31st. Bob has never stopped searching for his daughter. Now, as the shadows of Halloween grow longer, he must face the darkness that stole her—before it takes everything again.

The 31st Trick-or-Treater is a Halloween advent novel: thirty-one nights, thirty-one chapters, and one final nightmare waiting on Halloween.

 

The book is written so that you read a chapter every day in October leading up to Halloween. I love the idea of this and wanted to spread the word about it.

 

The e-book releases on September 24th and is currently available for pre-order on Amazon. He may have physical books available at his website next week. While you're waiting, pick up any of the "I Found" books for a quick spooky read. 

 

Ben has also created a 31st Trick-or-Treater Read Along Facebook group.

2025 Badges are Here!

 

The 2025 Countdown to Halloween Badges are here and you can find them in the left sidebar. Please join me in giving a huge thanks to Chelsea of Cheers with Chelsea and Leigh of Leigh SBDesigns for creating them. 

 

Chelsea did the black and orange ones and Leigh created the more colorful ones. 

 

So far we've had around 45 people sign up to put pumpkins on their virtual porches this year and it's good to see a lot of familiar faces still around. The 2025 list is also live over on the right and will be updated when more folks sign up. I copied the site names and URLs from the sign up sheet so please check your links and let me know if they don't work by sending a messenger bat to dex1138 (at) gmail.com.

2025 Countdown

Well, well, well. Looks like it's time to dust things off and clear those cobwebs. Or not!

 

Sign ups are now open for the 2025 Countdown to Halloween Blogalong Extravaganza! 

 

There's a link in the right sidebar to fill out the form. Feel free to pass it on to any sympathetic spirits you know that want to join our happy haunt. I will also be sending out emails over the next couple days in case some of you don't get site updates...but then you wouldn't be reading this anyway!

If you haven't already, please follow our Instagram. I'm always looking for things to share with our followers so use #countdowntohalloween or #countdowntohalloween2025 in your posts. Or just tag @countdownothalloweenblog.

 

Happy Haunting! 

 

Happy Halloween 2024!

Happy Halloween!

 

 

We made it through another October! Things got away from me this year and I didn't have time to stop by each and every blog but I do want to say thank you to all of you that join us, whether it's your first year or your 13th!

With the current thing being the YouTubes and TikToks, I'm glad to see some of us are still burning the blogging candle bright. That being said, I am terrible with social media. Do you folks want something more from this blog during the season or are you fine with it being a gathering place? If you have any ideas, let me know!

Also, if you end up with a fun Halloween photo or two, send them to me Dex1138(at)gmail.com along with your blog name. I'll give it a couple weeks and then post what I get here.

Thank you again for being part of this community and I hope you all have a fang-tastic Halloween! I'll be heading into Salem MA tonight as usual. What's not usual is it being in the 70s/high 60s for Halloween!

Summoning the Spirits

The Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, MA has a fantastic exhibit called "Conjuring the Spirit World: Art, Magic, and Mediums". Next to the museum is a little pop-up shop with gifts related to the exhibit. I didn't take this home but thought it would be fun to share.

Halloween is Hoppin'!

It's finally here, let the Countdown begin!

The sign up form is closed for this year but you can still join the party by emailing Cryptkeeper Dex at Dex1138(at)gmail.com.

 

To kick off your October, head over to Bandcamp and check out Halloween Hop by LVCRFT, David Dastmalchian, and Thunderwolf. It's an incredibly fun song that deserves a spot in your playlist. Don't say I didn't warn you, but it's probably going to get stuck in your head.

 

Click on the cover to get hoppin'!

Spooky Season is Here!

Okay, I know for some of us Spooky Season has been in full swing but we are now less than 60 days to Halloween and Dunkin' has unleashed all things Pumpkin Spice!

I posted everyone's link in the sidebar. Please check your link and let me know if it isn't working. Also, there were some mischievous gremlins in this year's sign up process so if you don't see your link, you can try signing up again or email it to me at Dex1138(at)gmail.com.

2024 Countdown Badges are Here!

 

The wonderfully wicked Mr Chad Savage has whipped up another batch of badges for the Countdown this year. You can grab em from the sidebar.

2024 Countdown

Hey everyone! It's time to add more spooky decorations to your year-round home decor!

 

 

It's my first year running this pumpkin patch by myself so things are a little delayed. In the next few days I'll be sending out the link to sign yourself up for this year's Countdown to Halloween!

There's also a link in the right sidebar to fill out the form. Feel free to pass it on to any sympathetic spirits you know that want to join our happy haunt.

If you're using a non-blog social platform, please include a link back to the Countdown site (countdowntohalloween.net) on your posts.

You can also use #countdowntohalloween & #countdowntohalloween2024 as those are followed by our Instagram to look for things to share with our followers.

While you're all out stalking the stores for the latest decor, toss By Pumpkin's Light podcast in your ears. In each episode, Mike (All Hallows Geek) and Miranda (Spooky Little Halloween) introduce you to content creators, small business owners, and industry professionals dedicated to creating Halloween magic all year long.

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!! #CountdowntoHalloween2023

 

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Did you catch the Google post for today? If not, here it is for your viewing.

https://g.co/doodle/syyg6uq

By now, you have opened your crypts to all those spooks. I am giving out no tricks here but only treats.  I am only in the background this year. You could just say, I am the skeleton crew. HA HA

My roll is on the right this year!

The Captain of this ship has got this handled and I have snuck out to say hey! I might have secured a small treat for me as well. *snickers*

Have a grand time ya all!

Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

PS: If you purchased a shirt this year, which of course I hope you did, show us a pic! Remember all purchases do go to charity. We do not get a single dime.

Announcements: A Terrible Way To Die #CountdowntoHalloween20223

Hello my Boils and Ghouls,

First of all, Happy Halloween Eve! As always, you have had some great content to celebrate all the spooky goodness. You all are truly awesome.

I wanted to let you know that this is my last year at being your #1 Crypt keeper. The last two years, things have gotten in the way of doing so properly and this year has been no different.

In saying that though, I have asked Dex to take over the reins. He has been amazing with the Countdown Instagram and helped me this last two years to keep things running. He is a good spook and will do you proud.

Thank you Dex but all for what you have done. 

I will be around in 2024 but just not at full capacity.

Boo-ya,

Master Crypt Keeper,

Michelle

Wolf Howls...Wa-hoooo #CountdowntoHalloween2023

Oh my boo-ness! It is only two days from our favorite orange holiday! I get a bit o' Halloween goodness because, well, I moved crypts this season. Believe me, it was a last minute surprise broom flight!

I cannot reveal where my new crypt site is BUT I can tell you that the house I live in has a old graveyard just up the street. Of course I have already visited and can't wait to visit some more. 

The owners of this house love Halloween! They have a yard full of skeletons and treasures and dress up for the 200 spooks that come to get a treat or two. Boo-lio, right? They have asked me to dress up too but you will have to wait to see my costume.  bwa ha ha ha

======

Due to my sudden move, I have been late getting to the next section of bloggers. But no worries, I still have plenty of bat time to drop a treat.

Soon my ghoulish friends, soon.

PS>If you speak cat, this is what one of the now 11...YES 11, I live with said.

cxxxxxxxxxxxxxccccccccd,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,[-pppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp-  

M.

Treats for you all, A-G! #CountdowntoHalloween2023

Hey Boo-ti-ful people! I have gone up and through the G's. I will start the "H's" in a couple of days. I promised to get to all of you. IF you don't see a comment aka treat from me, then it is because I did not know where to leave one. I did visit though.

Any plans for Friday the 13th? Side note: I actually have a brother named, Jason. My son's birthday is tomorrow and he WAS born on a Friday!

 Hope ya all are having fun!

`Master Crypt Keeper, Michelle