Halloween is slowly creeping up on us, and the stress of figuring out a unique look for the night is palpable. Streets of Toronto has compiled a list of Halloween costumes based on the city we all know and love, with varying levels of specificity. From dressing as your favourite celebrities who toured around the city to escapee animal inhabitants, your costume will be sure to impress this Halloween.
Kendrick vs. Drake
The feud of the year involving the Toronto rapper everyone loves to hate is perfect fodder for a couples (or enemies) Halloween costume. Don some OVO and don’t forget to shout over each other all night.
Orangutan on the run
Kembali the orangutan made headlines this year when he briefly escaped the Toronto Zoo by cartwheeling his way out. Wear all orange, a primate mask and swing from the street lights to honour him.
Go as a Swiftie
Taylor Swift practically broke the internet this year when she announced that The Eras Tour was coming to Toronto. Don your favorite thrifted frilly dress and shiny headwear, and make sure you have a few lyrics in your back pocket to belt throughout the night.
Channel your inner Summer McIntosh
At the 2024 Olympics in Paris, Summer McIntosh took the world, and pool, by storm. She stole our hearts when she won four individual medals at the games, reaching immediate Toronto icon status. Rock a swimming cap, matching goggles, and make sure you had a few maple leaf stickers on there. A full length race speedo would tie the look together, but we all know the city is freezing, so opt for a knee length parka to look like you’re about to walk out to the pool.
Ball out as a retro hooper
It was announced this year that Vince Carter would have his number retired by the Toronto Raptors, opening the door for the last-minute Halloween costume to make sense. Throw on a pair of old basketball shoes, some high socks and long shorts and don your favourite Raptors jersey — preferably with Carter on the back.
Deadpool hits the streets
It’s no secret that Deadpool 2 was a blockbuster hit, and we got to see Deadpool in a bunch of street outfits. Played by Ryan Reynolds (who is from Vancouver, but gets to be an honourary Torontonian for his yearly support for SickKids), the character was shot in full costume, with bits of his own style worn over top. Get a cheap Deadpool costume and customize it by wearing your favourite pair of jeans, maybe a jacket and definitely a toque on top.
Be Catherine O’Hara’s most iconic spooky character
We were delighted to see Catherine O’Hara return to the big screen for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice as the iconic Delia. A very Moira-esque black cape, red wig and top hat will do for this look.
Hydro One’s no. 1 enemy
In what seems to be an annual tradition, a raccoon caused a massive power outage across the city this year. Grab a raccoon mask and wrap yourself in power lines to pay homage to the pesky trash panda.
Hand out passwords as your favourite streaming service
Streaming services cracked down heavily on password sharing this year in Canada, which gives you the opportunity to make a bit of a mockery of them. Dress in red for Netflix or blue for Disney Plus, and hand out cards all night with fake passwords on it.
Pay homage to Olivia Chow’s inaugural look
Olivia Chow came into her own this year as Toronto mayor, and some of her looks have been terrific. Rock a powerful, statement jacket with off coloured bottoms and a blouse on top. Bonus points for getting a wig that mimics her haircut — and more points for those who try to emulate her iconic Caribana look.
Canadian Open fan
Bianca Andreescu made her return to the Canadian Open this year, and with the prominence of the Challengers movie, this is the year to go out as a full blown tennis star. Get a racket, tennis skirt and athletic top, while finishing off the look with Andreescu’s infamous white visor.
