Where to Buy Halloween Costumes

Best Places to Buy Halloween Costumes Locally

Shopping in person lets you check fabric quality, try things on, and grab last-minute accessories the same day. Three retailers stand out for local costume shopping.

Walmart

Walmart stocks a large selection of ready-to-wear outfits and costume-making supplies at everyday low prices. You can browse by age, gender, or theme, including categories like:

• Scary (ghosts, witches, zombies)
• Cute (animals, insects, princesses)
• Trendy (celebrities, TV characters, pop culture figures)
• Professions (police officers, firefighters, doctors)
• Couples (classic pairings like peanut butter and jelly)

Walmart also offers online ordering with in-store pickup, which is helpful when October shelves start thinning out. Prices typically range from $10 for basic kids outfits to around $40 for detailed adult sets.

Party City

Party City focuses entirely on celebrations, so their costume department runs deep. They carry licensed themes from franchises like Star Wars, Marvel, and Disney. One advantage here: they also sell wigs, face paint, and costume makeup in the same aisle, so you can build a complete look in one trip. Check their store locator to find a location nearby.

Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween, the seasonal pop-up chain operated by Spencer Gifts, opens temporary stores in vacant retail spaces every fall. They carry a huge inventory of themed outfits, animatronics, and decorations you won’t find at general retailers. The pop-up model means locations change yearly, so check their website for current addresses starting in late August.

Where to Buy Halloween Costumes Online

Online stores give you the widest selection and the ability to compare prices across multiple vendors in minutes. Four sites consistently deliver strong options.

Amazon

Amazon #ad carries thousands of listings across men’s, women’s, children’s, and even pet costume categories. Prime members get two-day shipping, which makes Amazon a solid backup plan if your first choice sells out. Sort by customer ratings to avoid cheaply made knockoffs. Budget about $15 to $50 for a decent quality set.

Etsy

Etsy is the go-to marketplace for handmade and unique outfits. Independent sellers on the platform create custom pieces, from elaborate cosplay builds to vintage-inspired looks you won’t see at any chain store. Expect higher price points ($40 to $150+) and longer lead times, so order at least three weeks before you need the outfit.

HalloweenCostumes.com

As the name suggests, HalloweenCostumes.com is a dedicated costume retailer with one of the largest catalogs online. They stock exclusive designs alongside licensed properties and offer plus size, toddler, and group costume bundles. The site also has a “costume ideas” tool that suggests outfits based on your interests. They operate three physical stores in Minnesota, though most customers shop online.

Costume Super Center

Costume Super Center organizes their inventory by theme, occasion, and character, making it easy to narrow down choices. They frequently run seasonal sales leading up to October, and their clearance section is worth checking if you don’t mind shopping for next year’s outfit at a steep discount.

DIY Costume Ideas on a Budget

Not every great outfit comes from a store. Some of the most memorable costume party looks are assembled from thrift store finds and items already in your closet. Goodwill and other secondhand shops stock blazers, dresses, hats, and accessories that work perfectly as base pieces. Pair them with face paint or a single prop, and you can pull together a creative look for under $20.

If you’re shopping for shoes to complete a costume, character-specific footwear often ties the whole look together. The same goes for sunglasses if your character calls for a specific style.

Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Halloween Costumes

According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), the trade association that tracks U.S. consumer spending, Americans spend over $3.6 billion on costumes each year. That number includes adults, children, and pets. A few strategies can keep your share of that total reasonable:

• Shop in September. Inventory peaks early and drops fast once October hits.
• Compare the same product across Amazon, Walmart, and specialty sites. Price gaps of $10 to $20 on identical items are common.
• Check return policies before buying. Some costume retailers charge restocking fees or don’t accept returns on opened packages.
• Consider renting instead of buying for one-time-use elaborate outfits. Costume rental services exist both locally and online.

If you’re also putting together an outfit for a holiday party later in the year, our guide on where to buy New Year’s Eve dresses covers stores with formal and themed options.

Frequently Asked Questions About Buying Halloween Costumes

When is the best time to buy halloween costumes?

Early to mid-September offers the widest selection and best pricing. Retailers like Spirit Halloween and Party City open their seasonal inventory around Labor Day. Waiting until late October means limited sizes and picked-over shelves.

Where can I find plus size halloween costumes?

HalloweenCostumes.com and Amazon both carry extensive plus size selections. Spirit Halloween also stocks plus size options in-store. Avoid retailers that only carry “one size fits most,” as those rarely fit well above a size XL.

Are cheap costumes worth buying?

That depends on how many times you plan to wear it. A $15 polyester outfit from Amazon works fine for a single night. If you attend multiple costume events each fall, spending $40 to $80 on a better-made set pays off over two or three seasons.

Can I return a halloween costume after buying it?

Most major retailers accept returns on unworn items with tags attached. Walmart and Amazon have standard return windows. Party City and Spirit Halloween have stricter policies once the packaging is opened, so read the fine print before purchasing.