Halloween costumes are easiest to buy at three kinds of sellers: discount chains such as Walmart and Target, seasonal specialists such as Spirit Halloween and the online-only HalloweenCostumes.com, and Amazon when a first choice sells out. Buy in September if you can. Licensed kids’ sizes and couples sets thin out fast in the last two weeks of October, so the store matters less than the date you order.
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How Americans Shop for Costumes in 2026
Discount stores are still the first stop. The National Retail Federation, the main US retail trade association, expects 71% of Halloween shoppers to buy a costume this year, for a combined 4.4 billion USD: about 2 billion on adult costumes, 1.5 billion on costumes for kids, and 0.92 billion on pet costumes. Its 2026 survey of 7,889 consumers shows where that money goes.
- Discount stores: 39% of shoppers.
- Specialty Halloween or costume stores: 32%.
- Online: 27%.
- Local and small businesses: 13%.
Timing matters as much as channel. Per the same survey, 49% of shoppers planned to start in September or earlier, up from 34% in 2016.
The Most Popular Costumes This Year
Witch and Spider-Man lead the NRF rankings, so expect the most competition for those two looks in mid-range sizes. The table lists the top three in each group, in millions of people planning the look; pet figures are survey percentages.
| Rank | Adults | Children | Pets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Witch (4.8M) | Spider-Man (4.6M) | Pumpkin (11.6%) |
| 2 | Vampire (4.2M) | Superhero (2.3M) | Hot dog (5.9%) |
| 3 | Batman (2M) | Princess (2.2M) | Ghost (2.8%) |
Clever halloween costume ideas rarely have stock problems; evergreen favorite characters do, because everyone wants the same sizes at once. Group looks such as Ghostbusters, the Addams Family, and Dragon Ball Z hold out longer since they sell as multi-piece bundles. For 2026, Target also lists exclusive K-Pop Demon Hunters costumes and has grown its Pokémon range from 10 looks last year to 26.
Where to Buy Halloween Costumes in Person
A store visit wins when you need to try something on, pick up an accessory the same day, or skip shipping entirely.
Spirit Halloween and Halloween Express
Spirit Halloween, the seasonal pop-up chain owned by Spencer Spirit Holdings, moves into vacant retail space each summer and closes after the holiday. Local business press reported plans for about 1,575 US and Canadian stores in 2026. Halloween Express runs a similar seasonal store model. Both carry the scary costumes, horror movie characters such as Michael Myers, animatronics, and inflatable yard props that general retailers barely touch. Locations change every year, so use the store locator and call ahead; a small pop-up may carry a narrow size run.
Walmart
Walmart fills a seasonal aisle with kids’, adult, and pet options next to face paint, fake blood, decoration bins, and candy. The mix splits into scary halloween looks (ghost, witch, zombie), cute toddler sets, trendy characters from a favorite movie, and couples pairings.
Target
Target leans cute and trendy rather than gory. Its Hyde and EEK! Boutique brand covers the Halloween décor side, while the dress-up racks focus on licensed Marvel, Star Wars, Toy Story, Super Mario, and Pokémon lines. Target says half of its 2026 costumes and accessories cost under 25 USD. The app’s store stock lookup shows what is on the shelf before you drive over.
Thrift Stores and Goodwill
Thrift racks are the cheapest reliable source for a DIY build. Goodwill Industries, the nonprofit resale network, plus Savers and Value Village, stock blazers, dresses, and hats that work as a base outfit. A straw hat and a burlap shirt read as a scarecrow. For hair, semi-permanent color from Manic Panic finishes a retro or punk look without a wig.
Ordering Online: Wider Size Runs and Niche Looks
Online sellers win on range: more cuts, more plus size grading, and characters no local store bothers to stock.
Amazon
Amazon lists women’s costumes, men’s costumes, girl’s costumes, boy’s costumes, baby costumes for a first halloween, and pet outfits in volume that specialty shops cannot match. Fast Prime shipping makes it the backup when a first choice sells out. The catch is quality variance: filter for ships-from-and-sold-by Amazon or the brand itself on licensed pieces.
HalloweenCostumes.com and FUN.com
HalloweenCostumes.com calls itself the largest online-only costume retailer in the world. It is run by its parent, FUN.com, from a 200,000 square foot warehouse in Mankato, Minnesota. Expect exclusive house designs, true plus size costumes, toddler grading, and bundled group sets.
Etsy
Etsy is where handmade work and serious cosplay live. Independent sellers build custom pieces, mermaid tails, unicorn hoods, and fairy tale gowns you will never see in a bag. Order at least three weeks out, since most listings are made to order. The cosplay costumes guide covers commissioned builds in more depth.
Yandy and Costume Super Center
Yandy covers the adult sexy costumes category the big-box chains skip. Costume Super Center sorts inventory by theme and character, which helps when you know the look but not the brand. Check measurements on both, because house-brand grading is not standardized.
Fit, Fabric, and Safety Checks Before You Pay
Fit, durability, and how quickly people recognize the look decide whether a purchase gets worn again or shoved in a closet. When choosing a costume, five checks prevent most mistakes.
Measure, then read the chart. Licensed sets for kids tend to run small, so compare your child’s chest and height against the brand’s own chart, not the age range on the front. A boys 8 to 10 tag often fits closer to a 6, and toddler grading runs tighter still. Sizing up also leaves room for a jacket on a cold halloween night.
Grading above a medium. A cut graded to real 1X through 4X measurements fits differently than a standard pattern stretched wider. A “one size fits most” label rarely works above a US 14 or on a six-foot frame. Buy from a seller that publishes chest and waist numbers, not just a letter.
Fabric. Thin polyester traps heat and splits at the seams after one night. Brushed knit, cotton blends, and reinforced shoulder stitching are what separate high-quality costumes from single-use ones, and they survive a school parade plus a halloween party.
What the package includes. Some sets ship with the wig, the mask, and every accessory in the photo. Others are the tunic alone. Read the included-items list before comparing prices. Separate guides cover cosplay wigs, shoes, and sunglasses if you are finishing a look.
Safety for kids halloween outings. The Consumer Product Safety Commission, the federal agency that oversees consumer product safety, recommends flame-resistant fabrics, reflective trim, and face paint rather than a full mask so a young trick-or-treater keeps clear peripheral vision. Look for the flame-resistant marking on the label.
Return Windows Compared
Return terms settle more of these purchases than price does, because fit is inconsistent and most shoppers buy sight unseen. Confirm the current policy page before you order.
| Retailer | Return window | Requirement | Practical note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amazon | 30 days, most items | Unworn, original packaging | Marketplace sellers set their own terms |
| Walmart | 90 days, most items | Receipt or order history | Online orders returnable in store |
| Target | 90 days, most items | Receipt or Circle lookup | Target owned brands get a full year |
| Spirit Halloween | Varies, check policy page | Tags attached, bag intact | Pop-ups close after the season |
| HalloweenCostumes.com | Varies, check policy page | Unworn with tags | Wigs and makeup often final sale |
The category gotcha: worn garments, opened makeup, wigs, and hosiery are frequently non-returnable for hygiene reasons, and some seasonal sellers void returns once the bag is opened. Caught between two sizes? Order both from Walmart or Target, which hold the longest windows above, and send one back unopened.
Shopping Late: A Last-Minute Plan
By the last week of October, the popular kids’ sizes are gone at Target, Walmart, and most pop-ups, and you pay full price for leftovers. Watch for counterfeit licensed pieces from third-party sellers; a price far below every other listing is a red flag. If you are down to the wire, this order works.
- Check Amazon same-day and one-day eligibility first, since that inventory updates in real time.
- Visit a seasonal pop-up in the final days of October, when remaining stock is often marked down.
- Fall back to a thrift shop plus a face paint kit, which covers a clown or a skeleton in under an hour.
Five Picks by Shopper Type
These picks map to the groups that drive most demand: kids, adults, couples, families, and DIY builders. Prices move daily in October, so compare the linked listings.
Best for kids: Marvel Spider-Man Classic Child Costume. The top children’s look in the NRF survey. Padded muscle chest, kid-safe mask, attached boot tops. Runs small, so order a step up. Compare it on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Target.
Best adult pick: Classic Witch Dress and Hat Set. Witch is the number one adult choice for 2026, and a lace-trim black dress with a pointed hat is the simplest version that still reads instantly. Find it on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Target.
Best couples costume: Peanut Butter and Jelly Matching Set. Two cushioned tunics that read across a crowded room and layer over a sweatshirt. No wig needed, which makes it one of the easier couples costume ideas to pull off. Shop it on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Target.
Best group costume: Addams Family Matching Set. A four-piece bundle (Gomez, Morticia, Wednesday, Pugsley) that scales from two adults to six people with Cousin Itt and Lurch. See it on Amazon, at Walmart, or as a bundle.
Best DIY base: Mehron Paradise Face Paint Kit. Cosmetic-grade colors plus sponges and a brush, enough to turn a thrift dress into a zombie bride or a clown. Shop it on Amazon, at Walmart, or at Target.
Start by locking the character by Labor Day, then order halloween costumes from a retailer with a documented return window and have the bag in the closet by October 1. Already inside the last week of the month? Check same-day shipping, then drive to the nearest pop-up. The party supplies and New Year’s Eve dresses guides cover the rest of the season.
Halloween Costume Questions
When is the best time to buy a halloween costume?
Early to mid-September. Selection peaks once the pop-ups have finished stocking and big-box aisles are full, and nearly half of shoppers now start by then. Wait until the last week of October and you are shopping leftovers. The exception is November 1, when clearance racks discount next year’s look.
Where can I find plus size halloween costumes?
Online specialists carry the deepest range. HalloweenCostumes.com and Amazon list cuts graded to real 1X through 4X measurements rather than a standard pattern stretched wider, and Yandy carries adult plus lines the big-box chains skip. Look for listings that publish chest and waist numbers.
What are the top Halloween costumes for 2026?
Witch, vampire, Batman, Spider-Man, and ghost are the top five adult choices in the NRF 2026 survey. For children, Spider-Man leads, followed by a generic superhero, princess, witch, and ghost. Pumpkin tops the pet list.
Do licensed kids’ sizes really run small?
Often, yes. Many licensed Disney, Marvel, and DC sets fit about one size below the tag. Measure your child’s chest and height and compare against the brand’s own chart instead of the age range on the package.
Sources: National Retail Federation 2026 Halloween survey; Target corporate newsroom (August 2026); U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.