It sounds like we share a similar question. Except in Dowon
After the Dec 2025 update, the trick or treaters would not show.
I triple checked what the Halloween event said to be sure the basket still worked. Did the same thing you did, but nothing worked to trigger the kids.
Mind you, I had started a brand new Zoi for the Christmas update, got to fall and went to collect the Halloween event items for my new Zoi, alas no kids.
I posted a question about it under Q&A, also made sure to post a screenshot of what the Halloween event said. Since I had made many zois AFTER, the initial Halloween event had ended, with zero issues on re-collecting the Halloween items from the In-game basket event.
Asked only to be sure it wasn’t intended during the Christmas event ending Jan 31 2026, maybe they canceled one another out? Idk
Super glad I saw this report and can comment on it. Merge our issues.