2026 Halloween Highlights: Kim Kardashian’s Daughter Swap and Paris Hilton’s Triple Costume Streak

Key points

• Kim Kardashian wore a costume replicating her 13-year-old daughter North West’s punk-star aesthetic, continuing a trend of self-referential celebrity looks.
• Paris Hilton revealed three separate costumes: a recreation of Britney Spears’ 2001 MTV VMAs performance, a family ensemble as The Addams Family, and a Beauty and the Beast group look.
• Keke Palmer and her son recreated the black-and-white 'Scream' music video featuring Janet and Michael Jackson, while also debuting a 'Keke Frankenstein' persona.
• The Today show hosts marked NBC’s 100th anniversary with a tour of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, featuring costumes referencing Johnny Carson, I Dream of Jeannie, and Friends.
• Live! With Kelly and Mark featured over 60 costumes, including Lady Gaga, Spider-Man, and Toy Story 5 characters, with guest Lisa Rinna dressed as Kylie Jenner.

Background

Our earlier coverage noted that the 2026 Halloween season shifted away from traditional spooky themes toward meta satire and pop culture references. Previous reports highlighted Kim Kardashian’s costume swap with North West and Paris Hilton’s multi-year tribute to Britney Spears. This year’s event expanded into a multi-day 'Halloweekend' due to daylight saving time, prompting early costume reveals and a focus on internet culture and deliberate controversy.

How outlets are covering it

Variety emphasized the creativity of Janelle Monáe’s original 'Phish Boy' character and the nostalgic value of the Boy Meets World cast reprising 1993 costumes. The Hollywood Reporter highlighted the scale of the Today show’s 100th-anniversary celebration and the extensive costume changes on Live! With Kelly and Mark. ABC News focused on the family-oriented aspects, such as Paris Hilton’s group costumes and Ashley Graham’s Little Mermaid look. All sources agreed that the season was defined by pop culture homages rather than traditional horror, though Variety and THR placed greater emphasis on the novelty of original characters and elaborate group productions.

Why it matters

The 2026 Halloween season illustrates the evolving nature of celebrity public appearances, where costumes serve as platforms for meta commentary, brand partnerships, and nostalgic marketing. The shift toward self-referential and pop-culture-driven looks reflects broader trends in entertainment media, where celebrities leverage cultural moments for engagement and visibility. The extensive coverage by major outlets like Variety, THR, and ABC News underscores the continued cultural significance of Halloween as a major entertainment event.

What to watch

Expect continued coverage of celebrity Halloween costumes in the coming days, with potential updates from stars who have not yet revealed their looks. The trend toward meta and pop-culture costumes is likely to persist, influencing future Halloween events and marketing strategies. Additionally, the success of elaborate group costumes and multi-day 'Halloweekend' events may inspire similar trends in other seasonal celebrations.