‘Halloween Wars’ and ‘Halloween Baking Championship’ 2026 Premieres Announced
Food Network has officially announced the 2026 premieres dates and details for Halloween Wars Season 16 and Halloween Baking Championship Season 12. Read on for the full press release, as well as first look official photos and a trailer for Halloween Wars.
This year Food Network is taking its fan favorite Halloween competitions to a terrifying new level that will deliver eye-popping bakes, dramatic twists and disturbingly delicious creations. First up, on Sunday, September 13 at 9|8c Halloween Wars will return with host Jonathan Bennett and a “Back from the Dead” theme featuring all-star expert pumpkin carving artists, sugar masters and cake mavens who will face more difficult challenges than ever before. Then, on Monday, September 14 at 9|8c Halloween Baking Championship, helmed by host John Henson, will be set in the Museum of Unnatural History where eerie exhibits will inspire artistic yet blood-curdling challenges worthy of display. Episodes of both series will stream the next day on HBO Max.
Halloween Wars Season 16
Halloween Wars kicks off its “Back from the Dead” season on Sunday, September 13 at 9|8c with a two-hour premiere featuring returning all-star pumpkin carvers, cake artists and sugar masters hoping to defend their titles while others will be on the hunt for redemption. The premiere launches with two rounds of competition, beginning with terrifying head-to-head battles that could put even the strongest teams of former champions in jeopardy. As the pressure rises, emotions boil over and the losing teams face a brutal “Do or Die” round two showdown where one team will be eliminated. This year, host Jonathan will be joined by judges Shinmin Li and Andrew Fuller who will evaluate each team’s spectacular compositions throughout the season and ultimately award $30,000 to the winning team.
On Food Network’s social platforms, Jonathan will attempt mini-Halloween challenges and Shinmin and Andrew will share tips and tricks for easier home baking. Join the conversation using #HalloweenWars.
Halloween Baking Championship Season 12
Then, on Monday, September 14 at 9|8c Halloween Baking Championship returns with 10 bakers vying for the title of champion and a $25,000 prize. The two-hour premiere unveils the setting for this year’s competition — the grand foyer of the Museum of Unnatural History — where frightening collections like Possessed Pests, Demon Masks and a Vault of Bones beckon down every hall. Curator and host John will lead the unsuspecting bakers through an arresting series of challenges inspired by the creepy exhibits. If the competitors’ desserts impress judges Stephanie Boswell, Aarti Sequeira and Zac Young, they may survive to see another midnight, otherwise they’ll have to bake for their lives.
Through it all, competitors will face a gauntlet of otherworldly wonders until the last baker standing wins. For the first Haunted Heat of the season, the bakers must put their best spooky memories to work to create desserts honoring their “Best Halloween Ever.” The winner receives $1,000 and the top three bakers are safe while the remaining competitors face a “Bake for Your Life” challenge to create “Hideous Mask Desserts” inspired by the disfigured mask collection in the Hall of Humanity. The least successful baker will be eliminated.
On Food Network’s social channels, check out the judges’ most-impressive costumes and join them behind the scenes via #HalloweenBakingChampionship.
See official photos from both shows, and watch the first trailer for Halloween Wars Season 16, below.
