Food Network, the leading Halloween destination, is prepared for the holiday with a full lineup of programming starting in September. This includes three popular series, two specials, and themed episodes of the network’s daytime shows. Last year, with over 28 million viewers, Food Network was a top 5 non-news/sports cable network among adults during September and October.
Returning primetime shows this year include Halloween Baking Championship, which was Food Network’s third highest-rated series of the year among adults in 2023; Halloween Wars and Outrageous Pumpkins, both of which saw ratings growth among adults and women compared to previous seasons. Viewers can also look forward to specials like Kids Baking Championship: Scary Good and Road to Halloween Wars, along with Halloween-themed episodes of The Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman.
“Food Network’s Halloween programming is iconic because of its fantastical themes and extraordinary creations,” said Betsy Ayala, Head of Content, Food. “Starting Halloween in September allows us to build excitement early and maintain that momentum through October and the end of the year.”
This year’s Halloween schedule begins Monday, September 16th at 9pm ET/PT with Halloween Baking Championship, featuring steampunk themes. The series returns with more creativity and competition as 10 talented bakers from across the country create awe-inspiring desserts inspired by the haunted science lab ‘Henson Laboratories.’ Host John Henson leads the chaos as the bakers compete in two heats, with a chance at immunity for the first time. Judges Stephanie Boswell, Carla Hall, and Zac Young will decide who earns the title of Halloween Baking Champion.
On Sunday, September 22nd at 9pm ET/PT, Jonathan Bennett returns to host the new season of Halloween Wars. Eight teams of skilled pumpkin carvers, cake bakers, and sugar artists compete to create impressive monster-themed displays. Led by former champions, each team must capture the essence of iconic Halloween monsters with impressive treats for judges Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira. In the end, one team will win the Halloween Wars championship.
Before Halloween Wars begins, viewers will see how the competitors were chosen in a Road to Halloween Wars special on Sunday, September 22nd at 8pm ET/PT.
Outrageous Pumpkins returns on Sunday, September 29th at 10pm ET/PT, with host Damaris Phillips and a cast of 14 top carvers in teams. These elite pairs will create over-the-top pumpkin designs, from gravity-defying structures to mechanical monsters with special effects. The teams compete for the first-ever title of Outrageous Pumpkins All-Stars Champions.
Kids Baking Championship: Scary Good special premieres on Monday, October 7th at 8pm ET/PT. Four favorite kid bakers return to celebrate the two extremes of Halloween — scary and sweet. Hosts Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown challenge them to make pull-apart Halloween cupcakes with one of the hottest peppers on the planet before a twist puts the baking tools and equipment on the line.
For more entertainment and inspiration, viewers can also watch special themed episodes of The Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman in Food Network’s weekend daytime lineup.
