Halloween Costumes 2026: Buddy the Unicorn Tops Google's List as Orlando Heads Out Tonight
Google's Frightgeist rankings put Buddy the Unicorn first among trending Halloween costumes for 2026, and in Central Florida the biggest free Halloween night runs 5 to 9 p.m. around Cranes Roost Lake in Altamonte Springs.
Orlando families heading out tonight will see plenty of unicorns. Google's annual Frightgeist rankings, which track the costume searches rising fastest ahead of Halloween, put Buddy the Unicorn — the mascot from the horror film Buddy — at No. 1 nationally for 2026, followed by NeeDoh, the viral squishy toy, at No. 2 and Nikki from the film Obsession at No. 3. Agamemnon from The Odyssey and Lily Lovebraids from Poppy Playtime round out the top five, and Dolly Parton leads the kids' costume list.
The rankings measure search interest, not sales, and Google publishes a local map so families can see what is trending in their own market. Halloween falls on a Saturday this year, which local guides say is pushing more of the night into organized events: Orlando has no citywide designated trick-or-treat time, so neighborhoods and families set their own schedules, with the most popular door-to-door hours generally running from about 5:30 to 9 p.m.
The largest free option in the metro is the City of Altamonte Springs' Halloween at Cranes Roost Park, tonight from 5 to 9 p.m. The event offers trick-or-treating around Cranes Roost Lake, costume contests, games, photo opportunities and live music, with local businesses handing out candy to an estimated 15,000 children, according to the event listing. Admission is free. In Kissimmee, a free Trunk or Treat runs from 7 to 9 p.m. tonight, and sunset in Orlando is at 6:41 p.m., so most neighborhood trick-or-treating happens after dark — local safety guides advise reflective tape or glow sticks on costumes and an adult with young children.
