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Last-Minute Vancouver Halloween Costumes

Halloween's tomorrow, but there's still time to show a little Vancouver pride.

By Stacey McLachlan /

Halloween is tomorrow, people! So there’s not time to focus on why I waited until the last minute to write this story. I’m not on trial here, pal: you’re the one you hasn’t decided on your Halloween costume yet.

Sure, you could toss on a dollar store witch hat before you hit the trick-or-treat circuit and call it a day, but anyone in the world could do that. There’s still plenty of time—hours upon hours!—to throw together a costume that looks great and shows off a little hometown pride. We’ve got a few suggestions that tick both those boxes.

11 Vancouver Halloween Costume Ideas

drawing of man in oat milk jug

An Empty Jug of Oat Milk at J.J. Bean

This one’s a little spooky! Not good for kids!

Person Who Has Been in the Aritzia Warehouse Sale Line Since 4 a.m.

Just toss on a SuperPuff and draw some bags under your eyes and you’re ready to hit the club.

confused man with bike

Cyclist Who Can’t Find an Available Spot to Park Their Mobi and Is Quickly Realizing They’re Being Charged By the Minute

This one requires a little acting. Look confused at the start of the night, like you can’t quite believe that the Jericho rack was full when you arrived to attend your bestie’s beach barbecue. Then get increasingly stressed and panicked as you realize just how much you’re paying to frantically circle the block. Bonus points for quietly cursing yourself for taking the more-expensive e-bike option. (And negative bonus points for me for drawing this character with a helmet because everyone knows that all of the Mobi ones are missing.)

illustration of person wearing sweater that says 1/4

The Grouse Grind One-Quarter-Mark Sign

Nothing strikes terror into the hearts of Vancouverites like the “1/4 Mark” sign at Grouse. The catch with this one is that you have to be named Mark.

an illustration of a couple holding hands, one dressed shabbily and the other in a tuxedo

A Vancouver Couple Attending a Gala

This costume idea goes out to the many, many, many brave Vancouverites who refuse to let an event’s so-called “dress code” tell them what to do. (We see you, Restaurant Awards guests.) Yoga pants. Ball gowns. Ripped jeans. Versace. Our bodies our choice!!!

illustration of woman vaping wearing a clock around her neck

The Vancouver Steam Clock

Toss a Flavor Flav-style clock around your neck and fire up the ol’ vape. You’re ready to Halloween like a Gastown icon.

illustration of woman covered in umbrellas

The Ghost of Every Umbrella You Ever Left in the Door Bucket at Cactus Club

Have you ever heard of New York’s “rat kings”? Rats who have been living in such close quarters that their tails become tangled and they have to live as one, multi-headed beast? Umbrellas that get their wrist strips intertwined are basically the Vancouver equivalent.

 

illustration of a couple, one dressed as a seagull, one as a pizza

Granville Island Seagull and Piece of Pizza It Stole Out of an Unsuspecting Tourist’s Hands

Couple’s costume alert! If you don’t have a pizza suit at the ready, though, here’s another Granville Island-themed idea for duos: the seagull-intimidation hawk and the guy who holds the hawk. (Ponytail required.)

illustration of man in workout gear with tie

Mayor Sim Coming to City Hall for a Workout But Pretending He’s There to Vote in a Bill or Whatever His Job Is

Toss on exercise clothes and a tie and you’re done. To make it a group costume, just get your friends to dress as an infuriated Park Board.

Guy Who Truly Believes You Can Ski in the Morning and Hit the Beach in the Afternoon

It’s the Vancouver brag heard ’round the world. Bring it to life with ski gear on the top and beach duds on the bottom.

A Crow and a Shiny Object

Another bird-themed couple’s costume because our office is at Still Creek next to the region’s largest rookery and crows have become our muse (and nightmare fuel).