A spooky treat for October
For many individuals, Halloween is not Halloween without McDonald’s signature Boo Buckets. The Halloween pails, which are available in a range of colors, first appeared in 1986 and were an immediate success with kids and families. Instead of the usual Happy Meal box, the meal is presented in a Halloween-themed bucket with spooky faces and Halloween figures.
This year, McDonald’s announced that Boo Buckets will return to participating restaurants across the U.S. starting Tuesday, October 21. As in years past, they’ll be around only while supplies last, so fans will want to snag them sooner rather than later.
Read this later: Albertson’s is recalling deli products from the market due to possible listeria contamination in Colorado
What exactly is a boo bucket?
Boo Buckets are basically Happy Meals—burgers or nuggets, fries, a drink, and a toy—in a Halloween bucket. But they’re more than that. The buckets themselves are sturdy and reusable, so they’re perfect for kids to carry when they go trick-or-treating on Halloween night.
This year’s characters include five choices:
- Ghost
- Pumpkin
- Goblin
- Cat (new)
- Zombie (new)
They come in playful colors such as white, orange, green, black, and red. To make collecting even more tantalizing, each character also has three various expressions, so fans may want to go more than once and attempt to get the entire set.
Why do people love them
McDonald’s has brought back Boo Buckets on and off since their original introduction. But whenever they return, word spreads quickly—especially online. To adults, many of whom remember receiving Boo Buckets during their own childhood Halloweens, they’re a nostalgic indulgence. To kids, they’re a fun seasonal twist on the Happy Meal.
McDonald’s is leaning into the nostalgia, even going so far as to say in a release: “Halloween buckets are popping up everywhere like ghosts in the night—but let’s get real: there’s only one OG Halloween bucket, and it comes with a Happy Meal.”
Read this later: Starbucks closes several stores in the Los Angeles area – These are the 20 locations that will soon be closing in the Californian city.
Extra fun with stickers
This year’s Boo Buckets feature sticker sheets so kids can decorate and personalise their buckets. Whether it’s adding a smile or a spooky grin, or something silly, the stickers allow families to make each pail unique. McDonald’s referred to it as a chance to help fans make their buckets “fa-boo-lous”.
Where and when to get them
The official release date is Tuesday, October 21, and they’ll be sold at participating McDonald’s restaurants across the country. Because they’re available only while supplies last, some locations may run out faster than others.
If you’re hoping to collect all five characters—or even all the different faces—it may take multiple trips. Many fans plan ahead and visit McDonald’s early in the promotion to make sure they don’t miss out.
A Halloween tradition that lasts
The comeback of Boo Buckets isn’t merely about fast food—it’s about tradition. McDonald’s has been a part of family Halloween festivities through these buckets for nearly four decades. They’ve turned into keepsakes, decorations, and, naturally, convenient trick-or-treat buckets.
For parents who grew up on them, the revival of Boo Buckets is a chance to share the same joy with their children. For McDonald’s, it’s a chance to attract customers during the holiday season and cash in on nostalgia along with excitement.
Read this later: Starbucks closes several stores in Miami-Dade County – These are the three locations that may close in the beloved Florida city
