The 'Today' Show Crew's Greatest Halloween Costumes

Mar. 15, 2025

Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager.Photo:John Nacion/Getty

John Nacion/Getty

When it comes toHalloweencostumes, theTodayshowcast never disappoints.

For decades, anchors on the NBC morning show have gone all out with thematic group costumes, dating back to the 1990s whenKatie Couric,Al Roker,Ann CurryandMatt Lauerfirst started going with pop culture references — hair, makeup and all.

As theTodaycrew churns out yet another great group costume in 2024, take a look back on some of the best.

01of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 1997Dave Allocca/Time Life Pictures/GettyIn the early days ofToday’sHalloweencelebrations, the staff’s costumes were a bit more ‘eh’ than ‘awesome.’ For Halloween 1997, the gang went DIY:Katie Couricgot all dolled up as screen legend Mae West,Al RokerandMatt Lauerwent as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble andAnn Currychanneled her inner Cleopatra.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 1997

Dave Allocca/Time Life Pictures/Getty

In the early days ofToday’sHalloweencelebrations, the staff’s costumes were a bit more ‘eh’ than ‘awesome.’ For Halloween 1997, the gang went DIY:Katie Couricgot all dolled up as screen legend Mae West,Al RokerandMatt Lauerwent as Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble andAnn Currychanneled her inner Cleopatra.

02of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2000NBCThree years later, the hosts really upped the ante with their pop-culture-inspired costumes. Roker dressed asDiddyand Lauer asJennifer Lopezin theinfamous Versace dressshe wore to the 2000Grammy Awards.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2000

NBC

Three years later, the hosts really upped the ante with their pop-culture-inspired costumes. Roker dressed asDiddyand Lauer asJennifer Lopezin theinfamous Versace dressshe wore to the 2000Grammy Awards.

03of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2005Albert Ferreira/Reuters/CorbisMarilyn Monroe– er, Couric – posed betweenBatman(Lauer) and Robin (Roker) the yearBatman Beginshit theaters.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2005

Albert Ferreira/Reuters/Corbis

Marilyn Monroe– er, Couric – posed betweenBatman(Lauer) and Robin (Roker) the yearBatman Beginshit theaters.

04of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2006Sara Jaye Weiss/INFIt was girls vs. guys in 2006 as the divas —Cher(Curry),Bette Midler(Meredith Vieira) andMadonna(Natalie Morales) — faced off against Lauer’s Captain Jack Sparrow and Roker’s Davy Jones ofPirates of the Caribbean.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2006

Sara Jaye Weiss/INF

It was girls vs. guys in 2006 as the divas —Cher(Curry),Bette Midler(Meredith Vieira) andMadonna(Natalie Morales) — faced off against Lauer’s Captain Jack Sparrow and Roker’s Davy Jones ofPirates of the Caribbean.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2007

Jamie McCarthy/WireImage

06of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2008Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic"Fairytales" was the theme in 2007. Vieira, Lauer, Curry and Roker dressed up as Pinocchio, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella and the Gingerbread Man, respectively.Kathie Lee Gifford, Kotb and Amy Robach also got in on the fun, donning the Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel costumes. We just hope everyone had a happily ever after!

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2008

Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic

“Fairytales” was the theme in 2007. Vieira, Lauer, Curry and Roker dressed up as Pinocchio, Humpty Dumpty, Cinderella and the Gingerbread Man, respectively.Kathie Lee Gifford, Kotb and Amy Robach also got in on the fun, donning the Big Bad Wolf, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel costumes. We just hope everyone had a happily ever after!

07of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2009Janet Mayer/Splash News OnlineThe Force was with theTodayshowcast and their costume department in 2009 when Lauer dressed as Luke Skywalker, Roker as Han Solo, Vieira as Princess Leia, Curry as Darth Vader, Kotb as Yoda, Gifford as C-3PO and Morales as Queen Padmé Amidala.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2009

Janet Mayer/Splash News Online

The Force was with theTodayshowcast and their costume department in 2009 when Lauer dressed as Luke Skywalker, Roker as Han Solo, Vieira as Princess Leia, Curry as Darth Vader, Kotb as Yoda, Gifford as C-3PO and Morales as Queen Padmé Amidala.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2010

Richard Drew/AP

09of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2011Peter Kramer/NBC; Erik Pendzich / RexTheTodayhosts were pretty spot-on when they recreated the royal wedding ofPrince WilliamandKate Middleton, with Lauer and Curry dressed as the currentPrince and Princess of Wales(known then as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Savannah Guthrie went asPrince Charles(now King Charles III), Roker asPrince Harryand Vieira asQueen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, BFFs Gifford and Kotb took on the roles ofPrincesses BeatriceandEugenie.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2011

Peter Kramer/NBC; Erik Pendzich / Rex

TheTodayhosts were pretty spot-on when they recreated the royal wedding ofPrince WilliamandKate Middleton, with Lauer and Curry dressed as the currentPrince and Princess of Wales(known then as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge). Savannah Guthrie went asPrince Charles(now King Charles III), Roker asPrince Harryand Vieira asQueen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, BFFs Gifford and Kotb took on the roles ofPrincesses BeatriceandEugenie.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2013

Dennis Van Tine/Abaca USA

11of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2014Erik Pendzich/REX USAThe gang didn’t have to go far to find their costumes in 2014 — just over to the wardrobe department ofSaturday Night Live, where they pulled looks from the show’s iconic sketches. Geist andTamron Hallbrought cheer as theSpartan cheerleaders; Morales didsaucy schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher(with Peter Alexander as a forlorn priest); Lauer was the androgynousstar of “It’s Pat!"; Gifford and Kotb wereWayne and Garth(excellent!); Roker and Lester Holt donnedBlues Brothers’garb; and Guthrie, Vieira andJenna Bush Hagerrecreated the not-so-stylish"Mom Jeans” digital short.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2014

Erik Pendzich/REX USA

The gang didn’t have to go far to find their costumes in 2014 — just over to the wardrobe department ofSaturday Night Live, where they pulled looks from the show’s iconic sketches. Geist andTamron Hallbrought cheer as theSpartan cheerleaders; Morales didsaucy schoolgirl Mary Katherine Gallagher(with Peter Alexander as a forlorn priest); Lauer was the androgynousstar of “It’s Pat!"; Gifford and Kotb wereWayne and Garth(excellent!); Roker and Lester Holt donnedBlues Brothers’garb; and Guthrie, Vieira andJenna Bush Hagerrecreated the not-so-stylish"Mom Jeans” digital short.

12of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2015Today ShowGood grief! In honor ofThe Peanuts Movie’s release, the team dressed up as all the fan favorites, with Lauer as Lucy and Roker as Charlie Brown. Once again, Vieira made a surprise return (as Pig-Pen!), and the gang did a cute dance to the hummable theme, “Linus and Lucy.”

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2015

Today Show

Good grief! In honor ofThe Peanuts Movie’s release, the team dressed up as all the fan favorites, with Lauer as Lucy and Roker as Charlie Brown. Once again, Vieira made a surprise return (as Pig-Pen!), and the gang did a cute dance to the hummable theme, “Linus and Lucy.”

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2016

Today Show/Instagram

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2017

Country stars joined theTodaycastdressed as, well, country’s finest for a mega-concert on the show’s Rockefeller Center stage.Reba McEntireintroduced “legend’s night,” which included Daly as mullet-wearingBilly Ray Cyrus, Gifford asMiley Cyrus, Roker asWillie NelsonandMegyn KellyasShania Twain(in a corset!). Kotb even rocked a betterBlake Sheltonthan Blake Shelton himself — who showed up for a surprise performance.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2018

Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2019

NBC News’ TODAY

The anchorspulled out all the stopsto celebrate the spooky holiday with their epic dance-themed costumes.

Roker and Craig Melvin went asThe Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’sCarlton and Will, respectively. Kotb dressed up as Tony fromSaturday Night Fever, Dreyer asSeinfeld’s Elaine, Guthrie and Daly as Sandy and Danny fromGrease,Sheinelle JonesasJanet Jacksonand Alexander asKevin Bacon’s character inFootloose.

17of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2020Tyler Essary/NBC via GettyWith the COVID-19 pandemic keeping theaters closed,theTodaycast brought Broadwayto viewers with their epic stage costumes. Dreyer and Jones dressed asChicago’s Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, Melvin and Roker wereHamilton’s Alexander Hamilton and King George and Hager portrayed Grizabella fromCats.Kotb and Guthrie also united as beloved characters Glinda and Elphaba fromWicked.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2020

Tyler Essary/NBC via Getty

With the COVID-19 pandemic keeping theaters closed,theTodaycast brought Broadwayto viewers with their epic stage costumes. Dreyer and Jones dressed asChicago’s Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, Melvin and Roker wereHamilton’s Alexander Hamilton and King George and Hager portrayed Grizabella fromCats.Kotb and Guthrie also united as beloved characters Glinda and Elphaba fromWicked.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2021

John Lamparski/Getty Images

Geist and Daly dressed up as Tampa Bay Buccaneers duoTom BradyandRob Gronkowski, wearing a handful of real Super Bowl rings. Melvin appeared asPatrick Mahomes, with a video included of a young fan cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback.

The NFL theme continued with Roker dressed asThe Weeknd. The weatherman mimicked the singer’s halftime show performance from Super Bowl LV. Jones went a similar route with herBruno Mars' inspired costume as she emulated his Super Bowl XLVIII headlining act. Guthrie and Hager wrapped up the segment as Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders and performed a brief routine alongside members of the famed dance crew.

19of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2022Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC ImagesWhat happens in Vegas … comes to Rockefeller Plaza! In 2022, theTodaycrew paid homage to the other city that never sleeps andall of its entertainment options.Savannah GuthrieandHoda Kotbflew high as Cirque du Soleil performers, Craig Melvin stepped into the ring as Muhammad Ali,Sheinelle Jones led a troupe of showgirls, Al Roker hit the high notes as Sammy Davis Jr., Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer were David Copperfield and his magical assistant, Jenna Bush Hager transformed intoconcert mainstayCéline Dion,Willie Geist was all shook up as Elvis Presleyand Peter Alexander and Kristen Welker went as Vegas newlywedsBen AffleckandJennifer Lopez.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2022

Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

What happens in Vegas … comes to Rockefeller Plaza! In 2022, theTodaycrew paid homage to the other city that never sleeps andall of its entertainment options.Savannah GuthrieandHoda Kotbflew high as Cirque du Soleil performers, Craig Melvin stepped into the ring as Muhammad Ali,Sheinelle Jones led a troupe of showgirls, Al Roker hit the high notes as Sammy Davis Jr., Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer were David Copperfield and his magical assistant, Jenna Bush Hager transformed intoconcert mainstayCéline Dion,Willie Geist was all shook up as Elvis Presleyand Peter Alexander and Kristen Welker went as Vegas newlywedsBen AffleckandJennifer Lopez.

20of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2023’Today' Hosts Halloween Show.NBCTheTodayshow gang hit all the high notes with their 2023 costumes. The NBC morning show hosts kept their tradition and dressed in a group costume for the holiday this year, transforming into some of the most iconic music artists in history.Kelly Clarkson — who now tapes her show next door toTodayat 30 Rockefeller Center — had the honor of introducing each superstar.Carson Dalywas first, paying homage to the music legend that isNeil Diamondwith a performance of his hit “Sweet Caroline.“Craig Melvincame next, dancing in parachute pants as MC Hammer to the rapper’s 1990 hit “U Can’t Touch This.“Next up wasDylan Dreyerwho looked unrecognizable as Pink, dancing to the Grammy winner’s hit, “Raise Your Glass.” And in what might be the most meta costume of all,Willie Geistdressed up as Harry Styles in the exact ensemble the “As It Was” singer wore when he performed on theTodayPlaza in the summer.Weekend Todayanchors Laura Jarrett and Peter Alexander also joined in on the fun as they dressed as lovebirdsGwen StefaniandBlake Shelton. They tied the entire charade with a performance of Stefani and Shelton’s “Happy Anywhere.“Today with Hoda and JennapairJenna Bush HagerandHoda Kotbalso didn’t disappoint. The ladies dressed up as ’70s icons Sonny andCherright before viewers' eyes. The two embraced and made goofy faces while performing Sonny and Cher’s classic hit, “I Got You, Babe.“WeathermanAl Rokerdanced on the ceiling as Lionel Richie next, before hisToday 3rd Hourco-hostSheinelle Jonesshowed up asDiana Rossfor a take of “I’m Coming Out.“The festive segment wrapped withSavannah GuthrieimpersonatingTaylor Swiftfor a performance of “Cruel Summer.” The co-anchor even pulled a “fan” out from the audience which turned out to be none other than her 9-year-old daughter, Vale.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2023

‘Today’ Hosts Halloween Show.NBC

TheTodayshow gang hit all the high notes with their 2023 costumes. The NBC morning show hosts kept their tradition and dressed in a group costume for the holiday this year, transforming into some of the most iconic music artists in history.

Kelly Clarkson — who now tapes her show next door toTodayat 30 Rockefeller Center — had the honor of introducing each superstar.Carson Dalywas first, paying homage to the music legend that isNeil Diamondwith a performance of his hit “Sweet Caroline.“Craig Melvincame next, dancing in parachute pants as MC Hammer to the rapper’s 1990 hit “U Can’t Touch This.”

Next up wasDylan Dreyerwho looked unrecognizable as Pink, dancing to the Grammy winner’s hit, “Raise Your Glass.” And in what might be the most meta costume of all,Willie Geistdressed up as Harry Styles in the exact ensemble the “As It Was” singer wore when he performed on theTodayPlaza in the summer.

Weekend Todayanchors Laura Jarrett and Peter Alexander also joined in on the fun as they dressed as lovebirdsGwen StefaniandBlake Shelton. They tied the entire charade with a performance of Stefani and Shelton’s “Happy Anywhere.”

Today with Hoda and JennapairJenna Bush HagerandHoda Kotbalso didn’t disappoint. The ladies dressed up as ’70s icons Sonny andCherright before viewers' eyes. The two embraced and made goofy faces while performing Sonny and Cher’s classic hit, “I Got You, Babe.”

WeathermanAl Rokerdanced on the ceiling as Lionel Richie next, before hisToday 3rd Hourco-hostSheinelle Jonesshowed up asDiana Rossfor a take of “I’m Coming Out.”

The festive segment wrapped withSavannah GuthrieimpersonatingTaylor Swiftfor a performance of “Cruel Summer.” The co-anchor even pulled a “fan” out from the audience which turned out to be none other than her 9-year-old daughter, Vale.

21of 21Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2024Peter Alexander, Laura Jarrett, Willie Geist, Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah Guthrie, Luke Wilson, Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Carson Daly.John Nacion/GettyTheToday Showcrew paid homage to somecinematic classicswith their costumes for 2024. The gang once again did a group theme, and dressed up as movie characters from various classics.Peter Alexandergave an ode to Robin Williams as he came dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, in the character’s signature hairstyle, reading glasses and dowdy attire.Laura Jarretttook us back to 2000 as she came dressed in her Clovers cheerleading outfit, a nod to Gabrielle Union inBring It On.Willie Geistkept it a little closer to home, paying homage to fictional newscaster Ron Burgundy fromAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.Next up wereHoda KotbandJenna Bushwho came dressed as Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater from Titanic. (The pair even recreated one of the film’s classic scenes!)Savannah Guthrietook us to Harvard as she channeled the spunky Elle Woods, and she had the best possible spooky surprise: Luke WIlson made an appearance as his character (and Elle’s love interest), Emmett.Al RokerandDylan Dreyerwere a match made in Winter River as they dressed up as Lydia and Betelgeuse fromBeetlejuice.Craig Melvintipped his hat off to comedy legend Eddie Murphy as he dressed up as Axel Foley fromBeverly Hills Cop.Last but certainly not least,Sheinelle JonesandCarson Dalywere almost unrecognizable disguised as Foxy Cleopatra and Austin Powers fromAustin Powers in Goldmember.

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Today Show Halloween Costumes in 2024

Peter Alexander, Laura Jarrett, Willie Geist, Hoda Kotb, Jenna Bush Hager, Savannah Guthrie, Luke Wilson, Dylan Dreyer, Al Roker, Craig Melvin, Sheinelle Jones and Carson Daly.John Nacion/Getty

TheToday Showcrew paid homage to somecinematic classicswith their costumes for 2024. The gang once again did a group theme, and dressed up as movie characters from various classics.

Peter Alexandergave an ode to Robin Williams as he came dressed as Mrs. Doubtfire, in the character’s signature hairstyle, reading glasses and dowdy attire.

Laura Jarretttook us back to 2000 as she came dressed in her Clovers cheerleading outfit, a nod to Gabrielle Union inBring It On.

Willie Geistkept it a little closer to home, paying homage to fictional newscaster Ron Burgundy fromAnchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.

Next up wereHoda KotbandJenna Bushwho came dressed as Jack Dawson and Rose DeWitt Bukater from Titanic. (The pair even recreated one of the film’s classic scenes!)

Savannah Guthrietook us to Harvard as she channeled the spunky Elle Woods, and she had the best possible spooky surprise: Luke WIlson made an appearance as his character (and Elle’s love interest), Emmett.

Al RokerandDylan Dreyerwere a match made in Winter River as they dressed up as Lydia and Betelgeuse fromBeetlejuice.

Craig Melvintipped his hat off to comedy legend Eddie Murphy as he dressed up as Axel Foley fromBeverly Hills Cop.

Last but certainly not least,Sheinelle JonesandCarson Dalywere almost unrecognizable disguised as Foxy Cleopatra and Austin Powers fromAustin Powers in Goldmember.

source: people.com