Where to Buy Halloween Costumes Online in 2026
The short answer: HalloweenCostumes.com for selection and sizes, Spirit Halloween for licensed and horror, Amazon for speed, Target/Walmart for budget, Etsy for custom. With Party City's ~700 stores closed since early 2025, online is now the default — here's how the survivors actually compare.
| Retailer | Best for | Sizes | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| HalloweenCostumes.com | Biggest selection; ~20% exclusive designs | Baby → plus size, plus adaptive costumes | Popular licensed styles sell out by early Oct |
| Spirit Halloween | Licensed horror & pop-culture drops; 1,575 stores for pickup/returns | Standard + plus | Quality varies by line; stores open late Aug |
| Amazon | Prime shipping saves last-minute Halloween | Varies wildly | Sizing/quality roulette — read recent reviews |
| Target / Walmart | Kids' costumes under $30, family basics | Kids-focused | Thin adult selection late in season |
| Etsy | Custom, handmade, group-theme builds | Made to order | Order by late September — production takes weeks |
How to choose
Shopping for kids? Target/Walmart for under-$30 basics; HalloweenCostumes.com when they want the specific character — 2.3 million kids went as Spider-Man last year, and licensed sells out first. Group or couples costume? Start with our couples & group guide — coordinating across retailers is usually cheaper than one-stop. Plus size or adaptive? HalloweenCostumes.com has the deepest dedicated ranges. It's October 25th? Amazon Prime or Spirit in-store pickup are your only real options.
FAQ
Did Party City close?
Yes — all ~700 stores shut down in early 2025 (NPR).
When should I buy?
September. 49% of shoppers now start by then (NRF), and licensed costumes don't restock reliably in October.
What's trending for 2026?
Superheroes and villains (Avengers: Doomsday), space themes, Toy Story 5 for families, Wicked, and '90s nostalgia — see the full breakdown.
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