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National Costume Swap Day

Make this National Costume Swap Day a memorable one - swap costumes with your friends and family for an extra special celebration!

Saturday

October 2026

Last updated February 7, 2026 · by the Holiday Calendar Team

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YEARLY DATESecond Saturday in October

OBSERVED INUnited States

CATEGORYStyle

SUBCATEGORYFashion

INTRO

Introduction

PHOTO

It's time to get creative and have some fun on National Costume Swap Day, taking place on the second Saturday of October. This day was created to encourage people to come together and share their costumes, allowing them to save money while also making a positive environmental impact. It is a great way to express yourself through unique and creative costumes, as well as connect with others in your community. So why not take this opportunity to mix up your wardrobe by exchanging old costumes for new ones? Let's make this year's costume swap the best one yet!

TIMELINE

National Costume Swap Day Timeline

Inception of National Costume Swap Day

The first National Costume Swap Day is celebrated, introduced by the non-profit organization Green Halloween, aiming to promote sustainable costume practices.

Nation-wide Recognition

National Costume Swap Day gains recognition across the U.S., reducing waste and fostering a sharing economy in communities.

Increased Participation Rate

Public participation grows significantly, showcasing the popularity of the event and raising awareness for sustainable Halloween practices.

Communities Encourage Reusing Costumes

Community leaders and organizations further promote event, citing benefits for both the environment and cost-saving for families.

Increased Social Media Interest

National Costume Swap Day trends on several social media platforms, increasing its impact and reach.

Virtual Costume Swap

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many costume swaps take place online, showcasing adaptability and commitment to sustainability.

GET INVOLVED

How to Celebrate National Costume Swap Day

Organize a costume swap party

Invite your friends and family to a costume swap party. Ask everyone to bring their old costumes, and have them take turns swapping with each other. Make sure to provide snacks and drinks for a fun night!

HOST

Host a costume swap event

Organize a costume swap event in your community to celebrate National Costume Swap Day. Offer refreshments and host activities for everyone to enjoy. You can even ask businesses in the area to sponsor the event.

ORGANIZE

Organize a costume swap online

Create an online group or platform where people can post pictures of their costumes and find others who are willing to swap with them. This is a great way to reach out to people who may not be able to attend a physical event.

EXCHANGE

Exchange costumes with friends

Get together with your friends on National Costume Swap Day and exchange costumes. Make sure that everyone agrees on what they are exchanging so there are no surprises!

DONATE

Donate costumes to charity

If you don't have any costumes that you want to exchange, consider donating them to charity. There are many organizations that accept costume donations and distribute them to those in need.

WHY THIS DAY MATTERS

Why We Love National Costume Swap Day

It helps reduce waste

By swapping costumes instead of buying them, you're helping to reduce waste in our environment. Costumes are only meant to be worn once so when they get swapped around, fewer materials have to be produced which will eventually end up in landfills. Plus, it's just one more way to help take care of the planet!

It's cost effective

Costume swapping is a great way to save money. Instead of buying a new costume each year, you can find what you need from someone else and trade for it. This is especially helpful for parents who have multiple children; they can keep reusing the same costumes for years!

It encourages creativity

Swapping costumes gives you an opportunity to be creative and come up with something unique. You can take apart old costumes and combine pieces to create something entirely new and unexpected! Or why not dress up a plain shirt or skirt with some accessories to make it into a unique costume?

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