Steam Scream Fest 2026: Halloween Sale Dates and Prep Guide

Halloween week is one of the busiest times of the year for horror games on Steam. Every October, Valve runs a themed festival that puts scary games on the front page, and many of them get discounts for the week. If you have a wishlist full of horror titles, this is usually a good time to pick them up, as long as you know when the event starts, how it differs from a seasonal sale, and how to get your wallet ready before it begins.

This guide was checked on October 21, 2026, against Valve's published second-half 2026 event dates, as reported by GameGrin, iXBT Games and Steam Page Analyzer. Discounts on Steam are set by each developer or publisher, so we do not list specific prices; always check the store page for the final price in your currency.

Steam Scream Fest 2026 Dates and Times

Here is the 2026 Steam event calendar around Halloween, based on Valve's schedule for the second half of the year:

Steam events usually start and end at 10 a.m. Pacific time. For Scream V, that means about 17:00 UTC on October 26. Because daylight saving time ends in the US on November 1, the end time on November 2 falls one hour later in UTC, at about 18:00. Your Steam client shows the exact countdown in your local time once the event page goes live.

Is Scream Fest the Same as the Steam Autumn Sale?

No. This is the most common point of confusion. In 2026, the Steam Autumn Sale ran earlier than in past years, from October 1 to October 8. Scream Fest is a separate, themed festival:

• Scope: Seasonal sales cover the whole store. Scream Fest highlights horror, thriller and Halloween-themed games.
• Discounts: Developers choose whether to join and how much to discount. Many horror games drop in price, but not every game you want will be included.
• Length: About one week, so there is less time to wait for a better deal than during the Winter Sale.

If a game you want is not horror-themed, it may not be discounted this week. In that case, the Winter Sale in December is the next big chance.

What Kind of Games Get Discounted?

Expect the front page to focus on these categories during the event:

• Survival horror: Big single-player horror releases and older classics.
• Co-op horror: Games built for groups of friends, which are popular every Halloween.
• Psychological and narrative horror: Shorter, story-driven games that fit into one or two evenings.
• Indie horror: Smaller games and recent releases that use the festival for visibility.
• Spooky but not scary: Mystery, gothic and light Halloween-themed games for players who do not like jump scares.

Need ideas before the event starts? Our list of the best horror games is a good place to build a shortlist, and our guide to the best games on Steam covers non-horror picks for later sales.

How to Prepare Before October 26

1. Update your wishlist

Add every game you are considering to your Steam wishlist now. Steam notifies you when a wishlisted game goes on sale, so you will not have to search the store during the event. Remove games you are no longer interested in to keep the alerts useful.

2. Try demos during Next Fest

Steam Next Fest runs until October 26, the same day Scream Fest begins. Many upcoming horror games have demos there. Playing a demo is the easiest way to decide whether a game is worth wishlisting for a future release.

3. Check system requirements

Horror games often rely on lighting and atmosphere, which can be demanding on older hardware. Check the minimum and recommended specs on each store page before you buy.

4. Top up your Steam Wallet in advance

Adding funds before the event means you can buy as soon as a deal appears, without card payment issues or bank verification delays. Steam Wallet funds can be used for games, DLC and in-game items sold through Steam. Keep in mind that a wallet code must match the currency of your Steam account; for example, accounts that use US dollars need USD codes.

5. Know the refund rule

Steam allows refund requests within 14 days of purchase if you have played the game for less than 2 hours. This is useful if a horror game turns out to be too intense or does not run well on your PC.

Top Up Your Steam Wallet With a Gift Code

If you prefer not to use a bank card on Steam, or want to set a fixed budget for the sale, a Steam Wallet code is a simple option. You redeem it in the Steam client under "Add funds to your Steam Wallet" or on the account page, and the balance is ready to use right away. On Epinpay you can find Steam Wallet codes with instant digital delivery. Check that the code's currency matches your account before you buy.

Official Dates vs. Speculation

• Confirmed: The October 26 – November 2 window for Steam Scream V and the Winter Sale dates come from Valve's published event schedule, as reported by several outlets.
• Not announced: Which games will be discounted and by how much. Publishers decide this, and the list only becomes visible when the event goes live.
• Be careful with: Social media posts claiming "leaked" discount percentages. Treat them as rumors until the store page shows the price.

Not a PC player? Console players can check what is included this month in our PlayStation Plus Game Catalog for October 2026 and the latest Xbox Free Play Days.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Steam Scream Fest 2026 start?

Steam Scream V starts on October 26, 2026, at 10 a.m. Pacific time and runs until November 2, 2026.

Is there a Steam Halloween sale in 2026?

Yes. Steam's Halloween event in 2026 is Steam Scream V, a themed festival for horror and spooky games that runs from October 26 to November 2.

When is the next big Steam sale after Halloween?

The Steam Winter Sale runs from December 17, 2026 to January 4, 2027. The 2026 Autumn Sale already took place on October 1–8.

Are all games discounted during Scream Fest?

No. Developers and publishers decide whether to take part and set their own discounts, and the event focuses on horror and Halloween-themed games.

Can I use a Steam Wallet code during Scream Fest?

Yes. Once redeemed, Steam Wallet funds can be used to buy discounted games and DLC during the event. The code currency must match your Steam account currency.

Can I get a refund on a game I bought during the sale?

Yes, Steam's standard refund policy applies: you can request a refund within 14 days of purchase if you have played for less than 2 hours.