Dead by Daylight Haunted by Daylight 2026: Start Time, Void Changes and Free Rewards

Dead by Daylight's Haunted by Daylight event returns on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, once again putting Behaviour Interactive's asymmetrical horror game in a Halloween mood for the month. The seasonal celebration will include a new event Rift, special quests, fresh cosmetic items, and a major revision to one of Haunted by Daylight's defining mechanics.

Veterans expecting to enter the Void dimension should prepare for a different approach this year. The Void itself is no longer a separate space that players enter through portals. Instead, Void Rifts will remain part of matches as rapid-travel routes across the current Trial map. That seemingly smaller adjustment could have a substantial effect on chases, rescues, and the constant contest between Survivors and Killers for position.

There are also free cosmetics to earn by completing event quests, while further paid outfits will be added to the in-game shop. With the event arriving in the middle of October, it is set to be one of the game's central seasonal activities as players work through the Halloween content and broader October updates.

When does Haunted by Daylight 2026 begin?

Haunted by Daylight begins on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. The scheduled launch time is 9 a.m. PDT, which is 12 p.m. EDT and 5 p.m. BST.

For useful background on this topic, read September 2026 gaming tech roundup: Switch 2 Cases, OLED Laptops and New Controllers.

• 9 a.m. PDT
• 12 p.m. EDT
• 5 p.m. BST

Players planning to jump in immediately should remember that live-service events can involve a brief update period or a need to restart the game client before new menus, quests, and visual changes appear. Once the event is active, the Halloween-specific progression and challenges should become available through the game's event systems.

The October timing is familiar territory for Dead by Daylight. Haunted by Daylight has become the game's annual Halloween centerpiece, bringing limited-time activities to a community that already spends much of its time in horror settings. The appeal is not only the seasonal presentation: these events are also an opportunity to collect cosmetics that may be unavailable outside their event window.

The Void dimension is gone, but Void Rifts remain

The most significant gameplay change for Haunted by Daylight 2026 is the removal of the Void dimension. In earlier versions of the event, players could go through portals and enter an additional area separate from the main Trial. That concept created an unusual layer of decision-making, but it could also pull players away from the core match and make the flow of play feel fragmented.

This year's design responds to feedback that the separate space made matches feel disjointed. Rather than functioning as entrances to another dimension, Void Rifts will transport players quickly across the map they are already playing on.

That means the rifts should be easier to understand at a glance: they are traversal tools, not detours into a separate activity area. Their usefulness will depend on placement, timing, and which side reaches them first. Both Killers and Survivors can benefit from the new system, although Survivors being pursued may find especially dramatic escape opportunities when a rift is nearby.

What fast-travel rifts could mean for matches

In Dead by Daylight, distance is often everything. A Survivor who can create even a few extra seconds of space may reach a pallet, window, teammate, or safer part of the map. A Killer who closes that same distance can turn an extended chase into a down before generators are completed. Fast transportation introduces a new variable to that familiar struggle.

For Survivors, a Void Rift could provide a way to break the usual pathing of a chase. Instead of simply running through loops and trying to delay a Killer, a player may be able to relocate to a distant area. That may be particularly valuable when a Survivor is trapped in a weak section of the map or needs to move away from a generator that has become dangerous.

However, rifts are not automatically a Survivor-only escape plan. Killers can use them as well, potentially cutting off rescue attempts, returning to key generators, or rapidly changing pressure across the Trial. A rift that seems like a safe escape route could become a risk if a Killer anticipates the destination or uses another rift to meet a Survivor there.

The result should be a more direct version of Haunted by Daylight's event gameplay. Rather than dividing attention between the standard map and a separate Void location, players will need to incorporate rifts into their normal decisions: where to repair, where to heal, where to hook, and where to chase.

Free Haunted by Daylight rewards

Completing event quests will unlock several free cosmetics during Haunted by Daylight 2026. The reward lineup includes items for both Survivor and Killer players, alongside named outfits for two characters.

• Shane outfit
• Hillbilly outfit
• Survivor shirts
• Killer masks

The Hillbilly outfit is among the highlighted rewards for the event. As with other time-limited Dead by Daylight cosmetics, players who want the full free set will need to keep up with the relevant event quests rather than assuming everything will be granted simply by logging in.

The inclusion of both Survivor shirts and Killer masks is useful for players who regularly switch roles. Dead by Daylight's cosmetics are a major part of its long-term collection game, and seasonal rewards give players a way to personalize their favorite characters without necessarily buying every shop release.

Additional outfits will also be offered in the in-game store during the event. Those shop items are separate from the cosmetics earned through quests, so players focused on free rewards can concentrate on the event objectives while collectors can browse the wider Halloween selection.

A new Rift and a busy October

Haunted by Daylight is not arriving in isolation. Dead by Daylight's October schedule also includes a new Rift and additional cosmetic collections in the shop. The combination makes the event period a substantial one for regular players, particularly those who enjoy progressing through challenges while expanding their character wardrobes.

Rifts are an important part of Dead by Daylight's ongoing progression structure, providing tiers of rewards tied to play and challenges. When an event and a new Rift overlap, players may have multiple reasons to queue for matches, though it is worth checking which objectives apply to which track before committing to a specific role or character.

For newcomers, the event may be a good time to return to the game's basic priorities. Survivors still need to repair generators, support teammates, and reach the exit. Killers still need to interrupt that plan through map pressure, hooks, and well-managed chases. Haunted by Daylight's rifts add a Halloween-flavored complication, but they do not replace the fundamentals.

How to prepare for the event

Players looking to make the most of Haunted by Daylight can take a straightforward approach when it launches. First, log in after the October 13 start time and inspect the event menu for active quests and reward requirements. The exact objectives will determine whether it is more efficient to play Survivor, Killer, or a mixture of both.

Second, pay close attention to Void Rift locations during early matches. Since the separate Void dimension is gone, understanding where each rift sends players will likely become one of the event's most important practical skills. A Survivor who blindly uses a rift could arrive in another unsafe area, while a Killer who learns the routes may be able to predict movement and maintain pressure.

Finally, players with a limited amount of time should prioritize the quests tied to the free cosmetics. The Shane outfit, Hillbilly outfit, Survivor shirts, and Killer masks are the event's main no-cost prizes. Shop outfits can be considered separately, but the quest rewards are the clearest reason to engage with Haunted by Daylight while it is live.

Haunted by Daylight's new direction

The 2026 version of Haunted by Daylight keeps the event's supernatural identity while simplifying its structure. Removing the standalone Void dimension is a notable shift, but it does not mean the Void has disappeared entirely. By converting Void Rifts into map-to-map shortcuts, the event puts its special mechanic directly into the center of standard Dead by Daylight play.

Whether that makes the event more tense, more chaotic, or more balanced will depend on how players adapt once the rifts are live. What is clear ahead of launch is that Dead by Daylight's Halloween season will bring a new way to move through Trials, a set of free cosmetics worth pursuing, and plenty for regular players to do throughout October.