How do you pick your Halloween costume? There are so many sources for costume inspiration, from new movie releases and nostalgic classics to Halloween favorites and ideas from friends and family. Another great muse comes from pop culture moments for the year. If you're looking for the best pop culture Halloween ideas for 2024, we've got you covered! Keep reading for our favorite list of 2024 Halloween costumes inspired by popular news, social media moments, memes, and more.
1. Moo Deng Costume
| Hippo Costume Headband | Inflatable Hippo Costume |
Adorable baby hippo Moo Deng took the internet by storm with her silly antics. The baby pygmy hippo was born at Khao Kheow Open Zoo in Thailand. While baby animals are nothing new at zoos, videos of her went viral that showed her extraordinarily energetic and playful nature.
2. Taylor Swift Eras Tour Costumes
| Sexy Ringmaster Costume | Shake it Off Ballerina | Bad Blood Costume | Fearless Flapper Costume |
Shop all Taylor Swift Costumes
The Eras tour may have started in 2023, but it ends in December 2024. Taylor Swift's popularity has yet to wane, so we still expect to see plenty of people wearing Taylor Swift costumes. Which Taylor Swift album is your favorite?
3. Kamala Coconut Tree Meme Costume
To say that politics have been wild in 2024 would be quite an understatement. There have been quite a few viral moments from the election season, but one of our favorites is Kamala Harris and the coconut tree meme. Luckily for you, we already have a coconut tree costume! Make a sign with the quote or grab a meme image, and you're all set for this Halloween.
4. Chappell Roan Costumes
| Lady Liberty Costume | Pink Pony Club Costume | Sexy Nun Costume | Miss Piggy Costume |
Of all the rising stars in 2024, Chappell Roan is easily one of the most costume-inspired. Rather than going for glitzy, glam looks with sequinned bodysuits, Chappell Roan turns into complete characters, from pink cowgirls and a sexy Statue of Liberty to sexy nuns and a Miss Piggy-inspired look. Whether solo or out with your gal pals, these Chappel-Roan-inspired costumes will make you feel like a Midwest Princess.
5. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Costume
Adult Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader Costume
People who love reality TV got a new Netflix show to follow in 2024 featuring the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. Titled America's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, the show follows the famous pro cheer squad from their auditions and training camp to the end of the football season.
6. Pesto the Penguin Costume
| Adult Penguin Mascot Costume | Hatching Penguin Chick Toddler Costume |
Pesto the penguin was another viral zoo animal from 2024. The surprising new baby penguin became a viral sensation at Sea Life Melbourne Aquarium in Australia when he quickly dwarfed his parents. Most king penguin adults weigh 31-17 pounds, but Pesto was already a whopping 51 pounds by eight months old and still in his fluffy gray baby stage. We wonder how much growing he has yet to do by the time his adult colors come in!
7. Willy Wonka Experience Costumes
| Blank White Mask | Black Cloak | Women's Oompa Loompa Costume |
| Chrome Spray Paint | Disco Dancer Wig |
A botched Willy Wonka event in Glasgow, Scotland, made headlines early in 2024—the AI-generated posters and script, along with less-than-stellar decorations, made for an underwhelming experience. While families were upset that they were utterly ripped off, the internet was captivated by a few of the actors who were unwittingly involved in the ordeal. We met the sad Oompa Loompa girl, who was appalled at the event and did her best to try to pull things together, and The Unknown, a character who was likely the product of the AI hallucinating. The Unknown is a relatively simple DIY that only requires a blank mask spray painted chrome, a black cape, a fluffy dark-haired wig, and black clothing worn underneath.
8. Beyoncé Costume
Beyoncé released Cowboy Carter, her eighth studio album, in March. The cover shows the singer riding a white horse in a sexy red, white, and blue cowgirl uniform and holding an American flag. Queen Bey is truly in her horse-girl era, and it's iconic!
9. Olympic Break Dancer Costume
Adult Squid Game Green Tracksuit
The Olympics found a new audience on TikTok, and the highlights couldn't have been crazier! In probably the most memed year of the Olympics so far, the 2024 Olympics brought us the muffin man, Clark Kent gymnast, and more. However, the cherry on top was Australian Olympic breakdancer Raygun. Her underwhelming performance fell incredibly short of perceived Olympic standards, and the memes ran wild. No one (especially Halloween costume retailers) saw this coming, so you might have to grab a green tracksuit and DIY with yellow fabric paint or iron-on vinyl to create your own Team Australia uniform.
10. Jojo Siwa Costumes
| Sexy Construction Worker Costume | KISS Makeup | Sexy Witch Costume |
The leap from child star to adult entertainer is never easy, and it was a rough year for Jojo Siwa. In her search for a new, more adult identity, she tried a few looks that were too close to other entertainers in the minds of many. In one instance, she wore a bedazzled construction worker vest and baggy jeans and made a logo that was practically stolen from Tool. In another instance, she wore a costume and makeup that looked incredibly similar to KISS. We hope she finds a look that works for her in the end!
11. Deadpool & Wolverine Costumes
| Adult Deadpool Costume | Wolverine Costume |
There were some big blockbuster movies in 2024, but few were as influential in the costume and cosplay realm as Deadpool & Wolverine. This 2024 costume idea requires a buddy, but you'll have a blast dressing as Deadpool and Wolverine. Hopefully, you're good enough friends to know which of you fits each role!
12. Stanley Mug Costume
The influence of social media has really affected our spending habits. How many user-generated ads have you seen for waffle-knit pants or a portable desk treadmill? Stanley cups are another trend that steamrolled us in 2024 and has been chasing us steadily in the early 2020s. Billed as indestructible, convenient, and chic, these pricey water bottles come in almost every color and fit most cup holders. How long will Stanley mugs have us in a chokehold?
13. Sabrina Carpenter Costumes
| Sexy Bride Costume | Plus Size Tulle Skirt Witch | Gold Monk Cross | Sexy Pink Dress |
Sabrina Carpenter's popularity soared in 2024! If you want to imitate her outfits this Halloween, you'll need short dresses and sexy attire. Swap the witch hat for a black veil and wear a gold cross to look like Sabrina Carpenter in her "Feather" music video. Or, this sexy wedding dress and pink dress costume work well for outfits similar to those worn on her Short n' Sweet tour. Which Sabrina Carpenter outfit is your favorite?
14. Brat Summer Costume
What is brat summer? Propelled mainly by pop sensation Charli XCX and her sixth studio album "Brat", the color of summer 2024 was lime green. You can follow brat fashion trends, as well as wearing a lime green top with "brat" boldly displayed on the front to imitate Charli's album cover. Add sheer or ripped black tights, wraparound sunglasses, and your "it girl" attitude.
15. Mental Health Advocate Elmo Costume
| Elmo Onesie Costume | Elmo Mascot Costume |
Elmo casually asked us how we were doing in early 2024, and the responses were real and overwhelming. The candid response from the general public honestly floored the Sesame Street team. This led Sesame Workshop to collaborate with The Harris Poll to make a "State of Well-Being Report". For a mental health advocate Elmo costume, just get an Elmo costume and print a large image of Elmo's famous tweet that started it all. "Elmo is just checking in! How is everybody doing?"
What a year 2024 turned out to be! What are your favorite pop culture highlights from 2024? Where do you look for Halloween costume inspiration? Tell us all about it! We hope you have a blast in 2024!
