Press Release - Halloween 2024

Halloween 2024: Unveiling the Spookiest Trends, Early Celebrations, and Eerie Elegance Sweeping the Nation

MT LAUREL, NJ (September 17, 2024) – With Halloween 2024 just around the corner and #codeorange posts taking over social media, consumers are diving headfirst into the fun of transforming themselves and their homes into Instagram-worthy masterpieces. This year, a thrilling brew of nostalgia, pop culture, and eerie elegance takes center stage, as consumers prepare for a frightfully delightful season of costumes, accessories, and décor. The Halloween & Costume Association (HCA) has conjured up the ultimate guide for what’s hot (and haunted) this season.

Costume Trends

In 2024, expect to see Halloween revelers channeling their favorite childhood characters, with an added dash of spine-tingling fright. From classic movie monsters to modern pop culture icons, the year’s hottest costumes bring together beloved characters with contemporary flair.

• Wednesday Addams : With the resurgence of The Addams Family franchise and the hit Netflix series Wednesday, this grimly iconic look promises to cast a shadow over costume parties everywhere. Think sharp collars, braids, and a moody gaze.
• Barbie and Ken : Riding the wave of the 2023 Barbie movie phenomenon, pink will still reign supreme, with thousands embracing their inner dolls for Halloween 2024. Expect Ken's surfboard and Barbie's Dreamhouse to follow them wherever they go!
• Superheroes and Villains : As ever, superheroes like Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, and villains like Harley Quinn will dominate costume choices for both children and adults. The multiverse is alive and well - rising from the cinematic depths to land at your doorstep.
• AI & Robot-Inspired Costumes - With the rise of AI and robotics in tech and pop culture, futuristic cyborgs, robots, and AI-generated fashion will take center stage, blending tech with creativity.
• 80s & '90s Throwbacks - Nostalgia for the ‘80s and ‘90s is booming. Expect costumes inspired by classic shows like Friends, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and movies like Ghostbusters and Jurassic Park.
• Horror Movie Villains - Timeless horror icons like Freddy Krueger, Michael Myers, Ghostface, and Pennywise will remain popular, especially with the resurgence of horror franchises.
• Celebrity Icons - From Beyoncé and Harry Styles to iconic looks from the Met Gala, celebrity-inspired costumes will reign supreme as fans recreate unforgettable red-carpet moments.

When it comes to décor trends for 2024, haunted houses are getting a makeover as gothic opulence has risen in popularity. Rich velvets, deep purples, and candlelit displays are hauntingly chic this year. Interactive landscapes continue to grow in popularity with motion-sensor ghouls and holographic scares becoming a frequent sight in neighborhoods across the country. As for accessories, LED-lit masks and glowing makeup are making the rounds, thanks to TikTok’s obsession with all things supernatural.

The hottest Halloween trends each year take shape as early as January at the Halloween & Party Expo (HPE) in Las Vegas, where industry insiders gather to unveil the latest innovations in costumes, accessories, and décor. It's at this top-secret event that the future of fright is forged, with cutting-edge designs and spooky styles debuting months before they hit store shelves. Here, the HCA sets the tone for the year, establishing the must-have looks and eeriest trends long before the rest of the world catches on. This year, the excitement reaches new heights with the introduction of The Halloween & Costume Association Awards, the ultimate industry accolade recognizing only the most extraordinary costumes and accessories. While the finalists will be revealed on October 1st, the true spectacle unfolds in January 2025 at a private, invite-only industry event at the HPE, where the winners will receive a coveted Spooky Award. It’s an exclusive affair that shapes everything from eerily elegant décor to ghostly glam accessories for the year ahead.

Yes, Halloween remains a monumental occasion, with 2024 predictions forecasting $12.8 billion in total spending. Consumers are expected to spend an average of $102.74 per person on costumes, candy, décor, and accessories. This Halloween promises to be bigger and more imaginative than ever, and by all accounts, a monstrous success. Whether people gather for neighborhood trick-or-treating, deck their homes in gothic splendor, or transform into their favorite characters for costumed events throughout October, this season will certainly be filled with delight, fright, and everything in between.

The HCA has countless costume connoisseurs available for interview. For tips, trends, & random reasons to sport a superhero suit, please reach out!

For Media Inquiries, Expert Commentary, or Product Samples please contact Aneisha McMillan at amcmillan@hiaonline.org / 910.849.9003

Twitter                Facebook                     LinkedIn             Instagram

###

About the Halloween & Costume Association

Known as THE industry source for Halloween, with cumulative sales of $3 billion, the HCA has earned the title of “EXPERT” when it comes to all things costume related. These are the folks that live and breathe October all year long and can dish for days on the myths, legends, trends, traditions, safety tips and devilish details that only a true insider would know.