Why this is trending right now
Google Trends has released its annual Frightgeist data, identifying the top-searched Halloween costumes for 2026. The data highlights distinct regional preferences, with characters from pop culture and classic archetypes dominating search queries in cities like New Orleans and San Diego, according to Axios.
The last 24 hours: a timeline
On October 26, 2026, local news outlets began reporting on the specific costume trends for their respective regions. By midday, the data showed that Batman leads in New Orleans, while San Diego searches favor eclectic choices like Elmo and Cleopatra. Throughout the evening, social media engagement increased as users compared these findings to their own costume plans.
What could happen next
As Halloween approaches on October 31, retail sales for these specific costumes are expected to peak. Based on the current search volume, retailers may experience inventory shortages for the top-ranked items. The trend provides a snapshot of current cultural influences, reflecting the popularity of specific film and television franchises in the 2026 season.
SOURCES — THE RECORD
- New Orleans' top 5 trending Halloween costumesAXIOS · axios.com
- San Diego's Halloween costume picks get weirdAXIOS · axios.com
- Google FrightgeistGOOGLE · frightgeist.withgoogle.com
