From which porch light to run to next, to which piece of candy to unwrap first, Halloween is a night full of choices. None more important than the one that comes before the festivities even begin: the costume. Some kids dream of being a princess or a superhero, while others want to be the scariest skeleton on the block. To see which classic ideas stand the test of time, we dug into Google Trends data from the past 12 months on 35 well-known, traditional Halloween costumes. The results show the most popular costume in every state, highlighting regional favorites and timeless picks that keep finding their way into our Halloween nights year after year. What’s Your State’s Most Popular Classic Halloween Costume? Every October, parents and kids face the same big question: what costume will make the night unforgettable? Some families lean into tradition, while others chase what’s trending. We’re more interested in the former. To see what’s truly timeless, we looked at Google Trends data over the past 12 months for 35 classic Halloween costumes. The results reveal which costumes are still stealing the spotlight across the country. Here are the standouts: Mermaid – 7 states From northern states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and New York to southern ones like Florida and Louisiana, and as far west as Hawaii, mermaids make the biggest waves in coastal states. They’re especially popular in the Northeast, where proximity to open water likely fuels this fascination and helps bring these legends to life during the most important dress-up day of the year. Dinosaur – 6 states A roar-worthy favorite in states like Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Dakota. The Midwest has deep ties to dinosaur discoveries, and with a recent Jurassic Park release and kids’ constant fascination with prehistoric creatures, the appeal is easy to see. Few costumes deliver the same mix of fun, imagination, and regional relevance! Bat – 6 states A Halloween classic that feels right at home out West, bat costumes take the top spot in Alaska, Colorado, Oregon, and Washington. As one of the most recognizable symbols of the holiday, their widespread popularity isn’t much of a surprise, especially in the Pacific Northwest, where the costumes could be a nod to local wildlife. Monster – 4 states Monsters can be anything, leaving the work up to the imagination of the person wearing the costume. Kids in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, and West Virginia lean into the endless possibilities a generic monster provides so they can create their own versions of scary fun. Skeleton – 3 states Nothing screams Halloween quite like a good old fashioned skeleton. Families in Illinois, Maine, and Rhode Island agree as they keep this creepy classic alive. With simple designs that work for all ages, skeletons remain a reliable option for trick-or-treaters year after year. Princess – 3 states Driving plots of storybooks and fantasy sagas for generations, princesses offer a fun night of dress-up while heading door-to-door in search of candy. Kids in California, Tennessee, and Texas crown this costume as a favorite, showing that dressing up like royalty still charms across the country. Angel – 3 states Maryland, Nevada, and Wyoming see plenty of halos on Halloween night. Angels bring a lighter, whimsical spin to the holiday, offering kids a costume choice that’s less about scares and more about play. Alien – 3 states The alien look is embraced in Missouri, North Carolina, and especially New Mexico, where the Roswell incident and other UFO folklore left a lasting mark. It seems that fascination with extraterrestrials still inspires costumes today. Classic costumes show that while trends come and go, some ideas never lose their magic. From mermaids to monsters, kids across the U.S. are keeping these Halloween classics alive. Closing Thoughts Classic costumes may vary by region, but the real joy comes from seeing kids light up on Halloween night. Whether it’s dinosaurs in the Midwest, mermaids along the coast, or bats in the Pacific Northwest, the details shift, but the excitement stays the same. No matter what kids choose to wear, the tradition of dressing up, walking the neighborhood, and sharing candy brings families closer year after year. That same focus on family moments is what Chicco is all about. From strollers to car seats, Chicco helps make sure every outing — whether it’s a trip around the block on Halloween or an everyday adventure — is fun and focused on your time together. Methodology To find the most popular classic Halloween costume in every state, we analyzed Google Trends data for 35 well-known, classic costumes over the past 12 months. We then compared search interest across the country to see which costume stood out in each state. For this study, search interest served as the measure of popularity.