While countless fans take Halloween as an opportunity to dress up as their favorite musicians, the holiday is a chance for those same A-listers to be somebody else just for a night.
That might be why so many pop stars love going all out on October 31 every year (well, that and disposable income they can use to invest in the best makeup and costumes). Many musicians even stage full blown photoshoots to show off their spooky season looks, much to the delight of their followers.
And, just like everyone else, famous musicians have different tastes in costumes. Some go for bold and sexy, some shoot for silly and punny, and some gravitate towards super scary over cute and sweet; some opt for simple and quick, and some think that the more detailed and elaborate, the better. The samples on this list alone range from hyperreal cartoon characters to politicians, horror movie figureheads to children’s book villains.
The best instances of musician-worn Halloween costumes, however, might just be the ones where celebrity singer-songwriters dress up as their own favorite artists, whether it’s a modern day peer or a legendary Hall of Famer. Ciara, for instance, has dressed up as everyone from Selena Quintanilla to Janet Jackson to Cardi B, while Harry Styles’ most iconic Halloween fit has to be his homage to Elton John’s Dodger Stadium look — but, more on both of them later.
Keep reading to see Billboard‘s favorite musician Halloween costumes from the past few years, featuring Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Rihanna and more.
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has had a number of truly random Halloween costumes, from Frozen‘s Olaf the snowman to the title character of Deadpool (the outfit for which she borrowed from her close friend Ryan Reynolds himself). But her most iconic Hallow’s Eve look might just be her most simple: a baggy squirrel suit, which allowed her to trick-or-treat with her bestie Blake Lively’s kids without being clocked by too many paparazzi. “Hot squirrel s–t,” indeed.
Ariana Grande is a certified scream queen (she was even on Ryan Murphy’s show of the same name!), having long stunned fans with her epic couple’s costumes with late rapper Mac Miller as well as her recreations of spooky retro characters from The Twilight Zoneand Creature From the Black Lagoon. But the Halloween getup she committed the hardest to — which is saying something — was her and Liz Gilles’ recreation of scenes from Best in Show, decked out in fully accurate renderings of Jane Lynch and Jennifer Coolidge’s characters.
Back in happier times, Joe Jonas and Sophie Turner lived for a good couple’s costume. Their 2021 tribute to the Lizzy McGuire movie — with the Game of Thrones actress as Isabella to Jonas’ Paolo — was arguably their best, although 2018’s Gomez and Morticia Addams cosplay takes a close second place.
Katy Perry never shies away from a wacky costume, no matter how wild (see her scarily real Hilary Clinton getup here). Her most iconic Halloween look, however, is still her 2014 homage to hot cheetos.
Say hello to Olivia Rodrigo channeling Michelle Pfeiffer in 2021, dressing up in a perfect recreation of the actress’ Scarface character Elvira Hancock.
Lizzo always goes all out on Halloween, with past costumes including Miss Piggy and Baby Yoda. But her 2022 ode to Marge Simpson takes the cake, thanks to her attention to detail and all-in commitment to that yellow body paint.
Harry Styles
Harry Styles’ 2018 Elton John costume was so iconic, even Sir Elton approved. “Now that’s what I call a Halloween costume,” wrote the legend on Instagram, sharing photos of the newer pop star sporting a recreation of his 1975 Dodgers Stadium concert attire.
Harry Styles attends the Casamigos Halloween Party on Oct. 26, 2018 in Beverly Hills, Calif.
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Casamigos
Rihanna
Lots of people dragged Gunna for his New York Fashion Week outfit in 2021, but it was Rihanna who got the last laugh. The Fenty mogul not only wore Gunna’s exact look for Halloween — down to every last quirky accessory — but she also recreated his slightly awkward poolside pictures. “I was very flattered and honored,” the rapper told Billboardof the hilarious tribute at that year’s American Music Awards.
Rosalía looked absolutely stunning in her red-hot rendering of Asuka Langley Soryu from the Japanese anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, complemented perfectly by her then-boyfriend and fellow Latin music star Rauw Alejandro’s matching Shinji Ikari costume.
Even Pinhead can get up to some hot girl s–t. Megan Thee Stallion is known for always ringing in spooky season with her all-out costumes and a traditional yearly pumpkin head photoshoot, but her nod to Hellraiser rises above the rest.
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran’s best Halloween costumes have all been designed around his signature red hair. Billboard‘s favorite has to be his 2012 no-dye-needed Chucky impersonation, but his 2013 gingerbread man getup follows as a close second.
The Weeknd is constantly playing around with jarring prosthetics and weird alter egos in his music videos and album artwork, so you best believe Halloween is his time to shine. In years past, Abel Tesfaye has gone as strikingly realistic versions of The Joker, Beetlejuice and even Don Vito Corleone from The Godfather; his wildest costume yet, however, might just be Eddie Murphy’s character Sherman Klump from The Nutty Professor.
Lil Nas X’s Harry Potter cosplay was absolutely terrifying, with the “Industry Baby” star donning a bald cap, ghostly makeup and a prosthetic nose to transform into Lord Voldemort. Avada Kedavra; he absolutely killed it.
Beyoncé & Jay-Z
Bey and Jay saw a perfect opportunity, and they took it. With the “Break My Soul” singer doubling as Suga Mama and Trudy, and Mr. Carter playing the part of Oscar, the two superstars and their three kids Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir perfectly imitated Disney Channel’s The Proud Family — which, as you may recall, Solange Knowles and Destiny’s Child contributed the opening theme song to back in 2001.
Ciara practically runs Halloween, often using the holiday as a chance to pay tribute to fellow female musical icons. In 2020 alone, she got all dolled up as Cardi B, Nicki Minaj and Janet Jackson, even recreating Jackson’s “What’s It Gonna Be?!” music video — with husband Russell Wilson playing Busta Rhymes.
There’s nothing more iconic than a costume that’s so good, some people don’t even realize it’s not the real deal. Rita Ora even seemed to confuse some media outlets with her 2018 impersonation of Post Malone, face tats and all.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga looked sharp on Halloween 2017, marrying the night as the title character of Tim Burton’s Edward Scissorhands.
Adele’s Dolly Parton tribute was so perfect, Billboard had to include it (even though it wasn’t posted until well after Halloween). Her best actual Halloween look has got to be her freakily accurate recreation of Jim Carrey’s The Mask character, though — see here.
Chance The Rapper transformed into Tupac, The Rapper for Halloween of 2017, looking impeccable as he recreated Pac’s famous photo with Jada Pinkett Smith.
Mariah Carey
Mariah Carey did a full genre 180 with her 2019 costume, channeling an old-school metal band with some friends. But of course, Ms. Songbird Supreme is the Queen of Christmas, and as soon as midnight struck on Nov. 1, she switched gears to the winter holidays (see her video below).
