If you’re already thinking about your Halloween costume for this year, you’re not alone. From TikTok costume inspo to the Spirit Halloweens that seem to be appearing everywhere, it seems like everyone’s in the same spooky boat. But choosing the perfect costume for the occasion? Well, that might be the scariest part of this whole holiday.
If you’re hoping to have a standout look this year, why not use your doomscrolling habit for good and tap into some of the year’s top trending memes? This year has been full of great memes — think nostalgic 2016 trends, Justin Bieber’s surprising Coachella performance, and Peppa Pig dominating social media platforms with her sass.Halloween is the time to be creative and take risks, so don’t be shy! Not only will you be the most pop culturally aware friend in the group chat, but the photos from this Halloween will serve as a time capsule and remind you of the funniest internet memes in the year 2026. You may not know it yet, but you’ll be thanking me later when you win “best dressed” at your friend’s Halloween party!
Without further ado, here are 12 viral memes from this year to inspire your best costume yet.
- Empire State Building Couple
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Arguably one of the most-memed moments of 2026, the couple who climbed to the top of New York’s Empire State Building, and then got engaged, is likely to be a hot Halloween costume this year. Whether you’re dressing up with your S.O. or just a friend who loves a topical reference, grab some all-black outfits (including face coverings), wear some climbing-friendly shoes, and find a fake diamond ring. If you want to really go all-out, you can DIY a banner that reads the same thing theirs did that they hung like a flag on the top of the building: “When the power of love beats the love of power, the world knows peace.”
- 2016 Nostalgia
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The year 2026 started off strong… by taking a trip through the hazy filters and Musical.ly videos that defined 2016! Social media users have had a blast recreating 2016 dance trends and challenges while wearing heavy makeup, skinny jeans, and chokers as a nod to their past selves. You can go back to this carefree time by embracing these so-called “cringy” aesthetics: Pair tight-fitting jeans with your favorite bomber jacket, and complete your costume with extreme contouring and matte lips! While you’re at it, don’t forget to film a TikTok with your favorite 2016 song.
- Justin Bieber’s “Hallelujah”
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Say “hallelujah” to this amazing costume idea! Justin Bieber surprised audiences with his stripped-down Coachella performances this past April. While he performed a bunch of his old songs that gave fans some much-needed nostalgia, Bieber’s 2025 hit “Everything Hallelujah” was the one that quickly resurged in popularity and even inspired a TikTok trend in which content creators reflect on the small moments that bring them joy. Take your own spin on this trend by wearing a shirt with all of the things that make you go “hallelujah!”
- Sabrina Carpenter & Madonna’s Coachella Collab
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In addition to Justin Bieber’s Coachella performance, Sabrina Carpenter and Madonna gave fans the ultimate pop culture crossover. On April 17, Madonna made a surprise appearance at Carpenter’s performance and blew fans’ minds. Donning corset bodysuits, both sang Madonna’s hits “Vogue” and “Like a Prayer” before performing “Bring Your Love” from Madonna’s recent Collaborations II album. Grab your bestie and wear your favorite corsets to celebrate this iconic collab that sparked so many memes.
- Peppa Pig’s “I Don’t Know Her”
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Say “I don’t know her” to a bland Halloween costume! That’s right, everyone’s favorite animated pig went viral in an “Over/Under” Pitchfork interview for these iconic words when asked about her opinion of singer-songwriter Clairo. (ICYMI, Clairo called Peppa Pig “underrated” in a 2019 “Over/Under” Pitchfork interview because of her massive height.) In response, Clairo posted a picture of bacon and eggs to her Instagram story with the caption “@peppapiglol.” Recreate this hilarious “feud” by wearing a headband with pig ears and a top with the words “I don’t know her.” Bonus points if you wear pink stiletto heels — after all, Peppa Pig is meant to be 7 feet tall!
- Strawberry AI Girl
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While the “strawberry girl” aesthetic blew up in 2023, 2026 has seen a series of AI-generated soap opera videos starring a sassy strawberry woman named Strawbellina (aka Strawberry AI Girl). You could choose to go all-out and wear red face paint (paired with small black dots as seeds!) with a matching dress, or your take can be more subtle by using pink blush and a red pencil skirt for a look that still feels true to you.
- The McDonald’s CEO Lunch
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McDonald’s fans (and social media users in general) had a lot to say when McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski went viral for only showing a small nibble on the Big Arch burger before claiming that he took “a big bite.” Kempczinski was met with no shortage of snarky comments, and other fast food chains were quick to poke fun at the video. Want to relive the moment? Wear a red and yellow dress with the McDonald’s logo (with a red wig for bonus points!), dress up as a McDonald’s worker, and most importantly, take a giant bite of a burger!
- Harry Styles’s MSG Nod To Taylor Swift
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Of course, everyone knows Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce tied the knot at Madison Square Garden on July 3. But during the opening night of his Madison Square Garden 30-night residency, Swift’s ex and music superstar Harry Styles poked fun at the couple’s wedding. To kick off his first performance, Styles announced, “We’re at Madison Square Garden, home of the world champion New York Knicks. And they also do weddings.” You can channel both singers’ styles (pun intended) by wearing a short white dress (to evoke Swift’s still-unknown wedding look) and a bedazzled jacket like the kind Styles is known for.
- Tate McRae’s Neutrogena Ad
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On Aug. 1, pop singer and Neutrogena ambassador Tate McRae posted a TikTok video that took the internet by storm. In the video, McRae shows her “post-show routine” in which she appears to remove her makeup with Neutrogena products… but fans quickly realized that it looked like she wasn’t actually removing her makeup! The ad has inspired numerous parodies of internet users deliberately refusing to touch their makeup remover while still sporting a full face of makeup. Recreate the multi-hyphenate’s ad by wearing bold eye makeup with a white tank top and sweatpants (alternatively, you could go for any of McRae’s show-stopping performance looks) and keep a pack of makeup removing wipes handy. Just remember to remove your makeup for real when you’re done for the night.
- ‘The Odyssey’ & Feminine Rage
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After the July 17 release of The Odyssey, fans resonated with Circe’s monologue in which she turns soldiers into pigs and simply says that she revealed their “true forms.” Since then, fans have turned her lines into audios for their cosplay and lip-syncing videos. So, turn your feminine rage into your next Halloween costume by wearing a loose, asymmetrical dress and owning your confidence everywhere you go! (Toy pig not required, but still encouraged!)
- Jimothy The Raccoon
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Jimothy The Raccoon graced the internet with his cuteness and perfectly spherical figure in 2026. The Seattle racoon has inspired the viral slogan “hot Jimothy summer” and even has his own Reddit page. It may not be summer anymore, but get your hands on some merchandise with the iconic catchphrase and find an oversized furry jacket to complete your look! After all, it’ll be hot Jimothy autumn before you know it.
- Saxophones Getting Louder
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Is it just me, or are the saxophones getting louder as Halloween approaches? Earlier in 2026, content creators had a blast using a saxophone audio clip from the 1991 film Boyz N The Hood to playfully document their fears. There is no right or wrong way to interpret this meme for your Halloween costume, but having a toy sax (or a real one!) could be a fun way to convey this meme.