From KPop Demon Hunters to Minecraft Steve, VoucherCodes predicts the characters set to take over trick-or-treating this Halloween
Forget ghosts and witches – this Halloween, expect the streets to be filled with demon-hunting K-Pop stars, Minecraft characters, and a surprising number of capybaras…
Some of 2026’s biggest films, TV shows, and internet trends are shaping what children will want to dress up as this Halloween, with VoucherCodes.co.uk’s money-saving mum, Clair Hughes, predicting the nine costumes parents can expect to see everywhere on 31st October…
And while an elaborate costume can quickly become another expense for families, many of this year’s biggest looks can be recreated at home, or pulled together with a few inexpensive accessories.
Clair said: “Halloween costumes can be great fun, but parents don’t need to spend a fortune on something that might only be worn for one night.
“Before buying a complete costume, have a look at what you already have at home and work backwards from there. Lots of this year’s biggest characters have one or two really recognisable features, so a simple outfit with the right accessory can work just as well. It’s also worth comparing prices before buying, particularly when you’re shopping for more than one child.”
Here are the nine costumes Clair predicts will be everywhere this Halloween…
1. KPop Demon Hunters and the Saja Boys
If there’s one costume likely to dominate Halloween 2026, this could be it. KPop Demon Hunters became a global phenomenon, turning HUNTR/X and their supernatural rivals, the Saja Boys, into instantly recognisable characters for a generation of young fans. With official Halloween costumes now available too, expect plenty of Rumi, Mira, Zoey and Saja Boys knocking on doors this October.
Cheapest place to buy: Smyths (£16.99)
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How to DIY: Choose a favourite character and build the look around their signature colours. Try Rumi’s purple and gold, Mira’s red and black, or Zoey’s blue and pink, adding temporary hair colour, chunky costume jewellery, and a homemade microphone or demon-hunting prop. For a Saja Boy, opt for black and red with a dramatic jacket and matching accessories.
Estimated cost: £8 – less than half the price of the official costume.
2. Elphaba and Glinda
Pink or green? Thanks to the continuing Wicked obsession, best friends and siblings don’t have to choose. Elphaba and Glinda remain one of the most recognisable duos in pop culture, and their completely contrasting styles make them particularly fun for a two-person Halloween costume.
Cheapest place to buy: George at Asda (£8.00)
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How to DIY: A black outfit, witch’s hat, and green face paint are the foundations of an easy Elphaba, while Glinda can be recreated with a pink dress, tiara, and wand.
Estimated cost: £9
3. Capybara
Yes, really. The internet’s favourite giant rodent has gone from viral videos and memes to toys, merchandise and even the big screen, making the famously chilled capybara an unexpectedly strong contender for Halloween 2026. It’s also a good choice for younger children who’d rather be cute than creepy.
Cheapest place to buy: Joom.com (£16.99)
How to DIY: Keep it simple with a brown outfit, homemade felt ears attached to a headband and a little face paint for the nose.
Estimated cost: £6.50
4. Spider-Man
Spider-Man is hardly a newcomer to Halloween, but 2026 has given children a fresh reason to pull on the famous red and blue suit. Following another huge year for the superhero on the big screen, expect Spider-Man to reclaim his place as one of the most popular costumes on the playground.
Cheapest place to buy: Onbuy.com (£8.22)
How to DIY: A red top and blue trousers provide an easy starting point. Add a homemade spider emblem and face paint or an inexpensive mask to make the character instantly recognisable.
Estimated cost: £4 (if you already have facepaint at home!)
5. Minecraft Steve
The Minecraft craze is showing no sign of disappearing. Following the success of A Minecraft Movie and the game’s enduring popularity with children, blocky hero Steve remains an obvious Halloween choice, particularly for parents looking for something that can be recreated without an elaborate costume.
Cheapest place to buy: Amazon (£12.26)
How to DIY: Team a turquoise T-shirt with blue trousers, then make Steve’s pixelated sword or pickaxe from cardboard. A square cardboard head can turn the whole thing into a brilliantly low-budget costume.
Estimated cost: £2
6. The Cat in the Hat
Dr Seuss’ mischievous Cat is having quite the 2026 comeback. With a new animated movie arriving this year and the character enjoying a major resurgence online, that enormous red-and-white striped hat is likely to become a familiar sight this Halloween.
Cheapest place to buy: Party Delights (£10.39)
How to DIY: Black trousers, a black long-sleeved top, and white gloves do most of the work. Craft a red bow tie and, most importantly, the famous striped hat from card to complete the look.
Estimated cost: £4
7. Toy Story
To infinity and beyond… again. Toy Story returned to cinemas with its fifth instalment this summer, introducing another generation of children to Woody, Buzz, Jessie and the gang. The huge cast also makes it perfect for siblings, friends or even an entire family looking for a coordinated costume.
Cheapest place to buy: eBay (£7.99)
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How to DIY: A checked shirt, jeans and cowboy hat can become Woody, while denim, a white shirt and red hat make an easy starting point for Jessie.
Estimated cost: £4
8. Minions
Halloween 2026 could be decidedly yellow. The Minions returned to cinemas this summer and their latest adventure brought monsters into the mix too, making Kevin, Stuart, Bob and the gang particularly well timed for Halloween.
Cheapest place to buy: Everything Party (£14.00)
How to DIY: This might be one of the easiest costumes on the list. Pair denim dungarees or jeans with a yellow top, then add round glasses or homemade goggles.
Estimated cost: £2
9. Demogorgon
For older kids who want Halloween to actually be scary, Stranger Things is ready to deliver. The hit Netflix series reached its conclusion this year, putting Hawkins and the Upside Down firmly back in the spotlight and making its most famous monster a suitably terrifying choice for Halloween.
Cheapest place to buy: OnBuy.com (£9.47)
How to DIY: This one requires a little more creativity. Dark clothes can form the base, while the Demogorgon’s distinctive open head can be created from cardboard and painted red and cream for a homemade take on the monster.
Estimated cost: £4
Speaking on Halloween costumes as a whole, Clair says:
“Before buying anything new, it’s always worth having a look around your local charity shops. Halloween is a great excuse to get creative, and if you go in with an open mind, you can often find clothes, accessories and fabrics that can be turned into a costume for a fraction of the price of buying one ready-made.
“Once you’ve checked your own wardrobe and had a look in the charity shops, you can then work out what, if anything, you actually need to buy. It’s a simple way to keep the cost of Halloween down while giving something pre-loved a second life.”
Looking for more scarily good Halloween costume ideas for 2026? Visit the website for the costume guide.
Photo: Depositphotos
