Food Network’s Halloween lineup: A spooky season preview

As summer winds down, Food Network is gearing up for the spooky season with an exciting lineup of Halloween-themed programming. This year’s schedule promises a mix of returning favorites and new specials that will delight fans of all ages. Let’s dive into the highlights and what you can expect from this year’s Halloween festivities on Food Network.

Halloween baking championship: Steampunk edition

One of the most anticipated events is the return of the Halloween Baking Championship. This season, the show takes on a steampunk theme, debuting on September 16 at 9 p.m. ET. The competition will feature 10 talented bakers from across the country, each tasked with creating awe-inspiring desserts inspired by the haunted science lab known as “Henson Laboratories.” For the first time, immunity will be on the line each week, adding an extra layer of tension to the competition.

Returning as host is the ever-charismatic John Henson, with Stephanie Boswell, Carla Hall, and Zac Young reprising their roles as judges. The combination of creativity, competition, and steampunk aesthetics is sure to make this season a must-watch.

Kids baking championship: Scary good special

Expanding on the success of the Baking Championship franchise, the Kids Baking Championship will debut a new special titled Scary Good on October 7 at 8 p.m. ET. Hosted by Duff Goldman and Kardea Brown, this event will see four fan-favorite kid bakers return to celebrate the two extremes of Halloween—scary and sweet.

The young contestants will face the challenge of making pull-apart Halloween cupcakes using one of the hottest peppers on the planet. A shocking twist will put their baking tools and equipment on the line, ensuring that this special is packed with excitement and surprises.

Halloween wars: Monster-themed madness

The new season of Halloween Wars is set to premiere on September 22 at 9 p.m. ET. Hosted by Jonathan Bennett, with Shinmin Li and Aarti Sequeira as judges, this show will feature eight teams of masterful pumpkin carvers, cake bakers, and sugar artists. Each team, captained by former champions, will compete to create mind-blowing monster-themed displays.

The teams must capture the essence of iconic and classic Halloween monsters with mouth-watering treats designed to impress. only one team will walk away with the coveted Halloween Wars championship.

Before the new season kicks off, a special titled Road to Halloween Wars will air at 8 p.m. ET, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how the latest batch of competitors was selected.

Outrageous pumpkins: All-star showdown

Hosted by Damaris Phillips, Outrageous Pumpkins will return on September 29 at 10 p.m. ET. This season features an all-star cast of 14 of the country’s best carvers, matched up in teams. These elite duos will be challenged to create over-the-top pumpkin creations, from gravity-defying structures to mechanical monsters with unbelievable special effects.

The stakes have never been higher as the teams compete for the first-ever title of Outrageous Pumpkins All-Stars Champions. This show promises to be a visual feast for fans of pumpkin carving and Halloween artistry.

Daytime delights: Halloween-themed episodes

Outside of primetime, Food Network will also air Halloween-themed episodes of popular daytime series like The Kitchen and The Pioneer Woman. These episodes will feature festive recipes, decorating tips, and fun ideas to help viewers get into the Halloween spirit.

Building excitement for Halloween

With more than 28 million viewers tuning in to its Halloween programming last year, Food Network has established itself as a go-to destination for spooky season entertainment. The network’s head of food content, Betsy Ayala, notes that launching Halloween programming in September allows them to build fan excitement early and carry that momentum through October to the end of the year.

Food Network’s Halloween programming is iconic because of its fantastical themes and extraordinary creations. This year’s lineup is no exception, offering a mix of returning favorites and new specials that are sure to captivate audiences.

Whether you’re a fan of baking competitions, pumpkin carving, or simply love the Halloween season, Food Network’s lineup has something for everyone. So mark your calendars and get ready for a spooktacular season of culinary creativity and festive fun.

For more information and to watch trailers, visit the following links: