TODAY Halloween 2023: See all the costume reveals and best moments

Saturday TODAY co-anchor Laura Jarrett gave us a front-row seat into the making of TODAY's Halloween extravaganza, starting with sitting at the makeup chair at 4:30 a.m. and wearing a wig for the first time.

"So much goes into this. Nails, hair, makeup — everyone is on deck trying to get us together and fast," she says.

Jarrett, in her Instagram Reel, says the anchors were rehearsing by 5 a.m. "Not even Hoda and Jenna recognized me when they first saw me," she says.

But Halloween festivities can't last forever. She was back to work before 10 a.m., costume off and ready to talk about today's news on air. Till next year!

Born on Halloween, TODAY's producer celebrates his birthday on Oct. 31 and in honor of the big day, the co-hosts, including Al, Hoda, Laura, Craig, Sheinelle and Dylan gathered in their respective Kellyoke costumes and serenaded him with a spirited rendition of "Happy Birthday."

Still in full Neil Diamond mode, Carson ended the song with another round of "So good, so good, so good!"

TODAY's Kellyoke-themed Halloween party was truly a showstopper this year and all the co-hosts got in on the musical action. And what would a tribute to today's pop stars be without Taylor Swift?

According to Savannah, once she learned the theme of this year's Halloween extravaganza, she knew someone would have to be Swift, whose "Eras Tour" has dominated headlines for months.

"So why not me?" she tells TODAY.com.

Wearing a replica of Swift's bedazzled bodysuit, Savannah brought down the house performing "Cruel Summer," which was only topped off when she was joined on stage by her daughter, Vale. Both are certified Swifties.

To prep for the big moment, Savannah tells TODAY.com she "listened to ‘Folklore’ 10 billion times, to the point that (her) kids were like, ‘Mom, please stop.'"

Find out everything else Savannah said about preparing for her performance as Taylor Swift below.

The Weekend TODAY co-hosts also were a married couple this Halloween, like Jenna and Hoda. Laura Jarrett and Peter Alexander reacted to seeing each other in costume as Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani.

Still looking for a halloween costume? It's not too late to come up with something.

Barbara Majeski joins Hoda and Jenna to offer some tips for last-minute Halloween costumes inspired by moments in 1970's pop culture like "Charlie's Angels," "Rocky," "Jaws" and "Happy Days."

Still need a costume for Halloween? Find a list of quick and easy costumes right here.

Sonny and Cher, aka, Hoda and Jenna, were joined in the studio by Elizabeth Heiskell who cooks up a batch of throwback '70s dishes. The co-hosts tried a variety of old-school recipes like corned beef cheese balls, piña coladas, pineapple chicken surprise and strawberry pretzel salad.

Find the recipes right here.

The TODAY anchors are bringing behind-the-scenes moments to Instagram, like this candid pic of Sonny, Cher and Harry Styles — err, Hoda, Willie and Jenna.

Jenna also posted a series of photos from her costume with Hoda, including one of them staring at the camera with faux seriousness.

In typical '70s fashion, Hoda and Jenna got their own sitcom, complete with laugh track and special guest stars.

It's Halloween night and "Sonny and Cher," our version at least, are welcoming a variety of celebrity trick-or-treaters. Who shows up? A whole cast of characters including Diana Ross (Sheinelle Jones), Mary Tyler Moore (Donna Farizan), Marlon Jackson (Justin Sylvester) and Lionel Richie (Al Roker).

The skit ends like all good '70s comedies do: In a giant dance party.

Watch the TODAY co-hosts prepare for today's big costume reveal and all the behind-the-scenes costume fittings, wigs, dances and weeks' long preparation that went into making 2023's Kellyoke Halloween such a success.

TODAY's Halloween party is far from over, but one co-host is already saying that it's one of the best ever.

Dylan Dreyer, who dressed up as Pink in this year's Kellyoke-inspired extravaganza, posted on X a short time ago, writing, "I'm not sure I've ever had more fun on Halloween!!"

We couldn't agree more. This year's performances and showstopping costumes are going to go down in TODAY history. In the words of Carson Daly, er, Neil Diamond, "So good, so good, so good!"

Dressed up as Sonny and Cher, Hoda and Jenna dish on this year's Halloween costumes, including their own!

"This is the first year we've ever dressed as a couple," Jenna tells Hoda.

Will it be the last? We'll just have to wait and see next year.

In the meantime, the anchors recap some of this year's best celebrity and famous couples' costumes.

Katie Lee Biegel makes some of her favorite Halloween treats on the Plaza and the co-hosts indulge. Among them? Pumpkin milkshakes, Halloween doogerschoodles, chocolate-covered strawberries and more.

Find all the recipes for these scary-good desserts right here.

NBC foreign correspondent Molly Hunter joins TODAY to reveal the true tale behind the enduring novel "The Hound of Baskervilles." The classic book was written by Arthur Conan Doyle in the early 1900s.

Does the name sound familiar? The author also penned the famous "Sherlock Holmes" series.

With Halloween candy abound, Al, Sheinelle, Craig and Dylan get moving by learning a fun, '80s-inspired workout on the Plaza. We're out breath just watching all these old-school Jane Fonda moves.

Want to participate? Find the segment right here.

The outfits are crucial — but it's the wigs that make the look. Take a tour of the wigs that brought the anchors' 2023 Halloween costumes to life, including Cher's pin-straight locks and Diana Ross's curls.

The co-hosts returned to the stage in their Kellyoke-themed Halloween costumes and played a game of Halloween-inspired Pictionary, followed by a round of "This or That" in which Al quizzed the rest of the anchors on what they'd rather do.

Each wore their costumes:

• Carson Daly is Neil Diamond
• Craig Melvin is MC Hammer
• Dylan Dreyer is Pink
• Willie Geist is Harry Styles
• Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett are Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani
• Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager are Sonny and Cher
• Al Roker is Lionel Richie
• Sheinelle Jones is Diana Ross
• Savannah Guthrie is Taylor Swift

Blake Shelton greeted the TODAY co-hosts via video and paid compliments to Peter Alexander's spot-on impression of him, as well as Hoda who also dressed up as the country singer for TODAY's Halloween costume reveal back in 2017.

"Hoda playing Blake Shelton is still pretty dang good," says Shelton. As far as Peter and Laura are concerned, the former "Voice" coach gives them total props. "You guys sounded good, looked great. Happy Halloween!"

Halloween is made more festive by life's indulgences, like boo's (and by that we mean, cocktails).

Vanessa Price joined the TODAY anchors in mixing up a batch of spooky drinks in honor of the holiday including Frankenstein's Grog, Witches Brew Margarita, Pumpkin Punch, a Grave Diggertini and a Candy Corn Milkshake.

"So good, so good, so good," said Carson, aka, Neil Diamond.

Find the recipes for all of them right here.

Dylan showed us a close-up of the temporary tattoo, modeled off of Pink's dragon thigh tat, she got as part of her Halloween costume. She shared it took the artist 45 minutes to hand-draw the tattoo.

The TODAY anchors aren’t the only ones getting into the Halloween spirit. Fans are also in costume.

Among the crowd on the Plaza this morning were two Barbies in pink boxes and, wow, they nailed it. Another fan dressed as one of Taylor Swift’s friendship bracelets. 

Their 2023 Halloween looks earned them free tickets to a taping of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.” 

Oh my goodness! It’s Savannah’s daughter, Vale, as a younger version of the superstar. Both epic Swifties, the mother-daughter duo are sharing the spotlight and their favorite entertainer in this show-stopping reveal.

What would a Taylor and Taylor moment be without a friendship bracelet? Vale hands her mom a friendship bracelet, a staple at Swift concerts, at the end of the performance. This moment simply couldn’t get any sweeter.

Taylor Swift. Perhaps you’ve heard of her? Biggest concert tour on the planet? Blockbuster movie? That Taylor Swift?

Savannah Guthrie is tearing down the Plaza wearing Swift’s now-legendary bodysuit from the “Eras Tour” and is unstoppable performing “Cruel Summer,” which recently hit one billion streams on Spotify.

Achieving the look has been no small feat, according to Greenbaum, who shaes that Savannah’s bodysuit is custom-made from eight different fabrics that are all sequined and bedazzled with rhinestones.

“She looks like a knockout,” says Greenbaum. “I mean, it’s absolutely incredible.”

Re-creating one of the ’60s most iconic husband and wife teams, it’s Hoda Kotb and Jenna Bush Hager as Sonny and Cher and the TODAY co-hosts couldn’t be any groovier. Tag-teaming the couple’s 1965 hit song “I Got You Babe,” Hoda and Jenna’s costumes are a page right out of history. Literally.

“I happened to find a tan 1970s tuxedo,” Greenbaum says of Jenna’s suit. From there, the designer embellished the costume to add tons of sparkle. “I had a custom shirt made for (Jenna) with that great ’70s collar.”

Jenna tells TODAY.com that what she likes best about this year’s costume. “I love that I have a full warm suit with lapels and I think my wig and mustache are going to be a showstopper.” 

For Hoda’s look, Greenbaum says she paid tribute to Cher’s long-time fashion designer, Bob Mackie, who crafted some of the “Moonstruck” actor’s most well-known looks, including the dress Hoda is wearing today.

Is Hoda excited to channel the iconic Cher? “Please. Oh my, God. I’ve been watching just Jack from ‘Will and Grace,’ that’s how I’m getting my impression,” Hoda tells TODAY.com.

Does she feel glamorous? “I’m trying,” laughs Hoda. 

“We don’t have a choreographed dance, but ours is in the facial expression,” says Jenna.

It’s America’s favorite couple from “The Voice,” Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton! 

Look closer, and you’ll see it’s actually TODAY weekend co-hosts Peter Alexander and Laura Jarrett performing the duo’s 2020 collaboration “Happy Anywhere.”

A single off Shelton’s “Body Language” album, the sweet country duet is a nod to the pandemic and getting through challenging times together. The couple, who met while judges on the singing competition, married in 2021.

“Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani … you can’t go wrong with,” Peter Alexander tells TODAY.com. “I’m not a country guy, but I have committed this week and I’m all in, on all things.” 

And it doesn’t hurt that Peter has gotten some advice from co-host Carson Daly. “Carson’s buddies with (Shelton and Stefani), so he’s like, ‘Peter, you got this.’ He’s giving me a little bit of extra help. So, I think I’ll be just fine.”

It’s Laura’s first Halloween on the Plaza and TODAY’s weekend anchor says she’s “very excited” to be part of the extravaganza as Stefani, who she says is “awesome.”

“I was up early, hyping myself up for it,” Laura says. “Savannah always gives the best advice to everyone, which is ‘Don’t hold back. Don’t try to be cool. Just go for it,’ so I have that mindset today.

Shelton was named People’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2017 and earlier this month, Stefani received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. During the ceremony, Shelton emotionally revealed that Stefani’s “unique style” has made the world fall in love with her before adding, “Not as much as me though.”

Awww.

There’s only “one direction” to go with Willie Geist’s costume this year … and it’s Harry Styles!

Willie is re-creating Styles’ memorable 2022 Citi Summer Concert Series performance on the TODAY Plaza, when a cold rain couldn’t stop the “Watermelon Sugar” singer from putting on a sizzling show.

Performing Styles’ record-breaking hit “As it Was,” Willie is outfitted in yellow, brown and black striped jumpsuit similar to the one Styles wore while performing on the TODAY Plaza.

“It’s a full one-piece and zips up the back,” Willie tells TODAY.com of his Harry Styles costume. Even so, Willie says it’s surprisingly comfortable. “It’s not skin tight. It’s got a little play in it.” 

Greenbaum says the fabric was custom-printed for the seconds-long Halloween segment, then assembled by a tailor in Ridgewood, New York. It’s that attention to detail that, dare we say it, really makes this costume beautiful.

A toast to Dylan Dreyer, who is decked out as Pink this year and singing “Raise Your Glass.”

The pop singer, whose real name is Alecia Beth Moore, made it big with her with her first hit “There You Go” in 2000 and has continued to churn out chart-toppers. Pink said in a previous interview that her personal favorites are “So What” and “Get the Party Started.”

To prepare for her turn as the singer, Dylan says she spent a considerable amount of time in the makeup chair. “I spent about 40 minutes in makeup yesterday,” she tells TODAY.com. “The tattoo is no joke.”

Greenbaum says Dylan’s totally “blinged out” costume pays tribute to Pink’s many memorable looks. “There’s a lot of sparkle this year,” the costume designer says, “which is really fun.”

What about Dylan’s sky-high boots? Are they comfortable enough to groove in?

“They’re OK, I mean they’ve got the fantastic platform,” Dylan says of the heels. “I don’t know if I can jump and kick and do all the things I practiced at home.”

It’s Hammer time! Craig Melvin is performing “U Can’t Touch This” by MC Hammer, whose concert was the first Craig ever attended. 

“1991, Carolina Coliseum,” Craig tells TODAY.com of the show. “It was Vanilla Ice, En Vogue and MC Hammer. It was a heck of a show.”

In addition to its infectious beat, “U Can’t Touch This” is remembered for the video in which Hammer dances in a pair of baggy pants — which, of course, Craig is wearing for his routine.

“I’ve been working on the (the dance) for a week,” Craig says, but not wearing the pants. “I probably should have,” he laughs.

Greenbaum says Craig got a lesson on fashion after learning that the trousers have their own name: “Hammer Pants.”

“That outfit is hilarious,” says Greenbaum. “(Craig) couldn’t believe it. He was like, ‘Really? That’s a thing?’”

According to Craig, the “Hammer Pants” are “pretty spacious” which should hopefully help with the moves. 

“The hardest part is the shuffle step thing (MC Hammer) does. You gotta move your feet really fast.” 

Does Craig have a favorite costume? 

“It’s funny because I’ve done Muhammad Ali, Patrick Mahomes, I did the Fresh Prince, I’ve done Prince Akeem,” he recalls. “They’ve been good to me. So, every year I’m like, ‘They won’t be able to top that one,’ but every year they keep coming up with someone new.” 

Bum, bum, bum.

This Halloween, Carson Daly takes on a music legend: The great Neil Diamond. Boston Red Sox fans will especially love this tribute to one of Diamond’s most enduring hits — “Sweet Caroline.” So good, so good!

Released in May 1969, the original title of the beloved tune was, fittingly, “Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good).” Along with being the unofficial song of the Red Sox, it’s also the victory song of the Carolina Panthers, English soccer teams and more.

TODAY costume designer Staci Greenbaum says the team worked hard to get Carson’s costume just right, down to his disco pants. “They’re really slim-fit bell bottoms (and) we’ve exaggerated the shape just a little bit,” she says.

In addition to the beaded blue tunic, Greenbaum says they also gave Carson a pair of heeled boots to wear.

“If Carson wasn’t tall enough, he will be taller.”

What does Carson think about this year’s look? “I’m excited about it. It fits well, it’s comfortable.”

More than that, Carson says that all of this year’s costumes are “unbelievably accurate” when compared to the real people they’re portraying. “They really crushed it with Neil Diamond,” he says.

Is there one costume that’s really stood out for the TODAY anchor through the years?

“The ‘Terminator’ was a lot of fun,” he says, recalling his 2016 costume when he got to ride a motorcycle and channel Arnold Schwarzenegger. “That was just a fun year. That stands out.” 

“The Kelly Clarkson Show” recently relocated from Los Angeles to New York. This Halloween, we’re celebrating the daytime talk show host’s move to the Big Apple with a TODAY-inspired version of “Kellyoke,” the popular show segment in which Clarkson covers iconic songs by various artists.

Just last week, the “Since U Been Gone” singer channeled Madonna in her Kellyoke version of the pop star’s ‘80s hit “Lucky Star.”

Of course, it’s not the first time Clarkson has taken fans back in time, she’s also covered other fan favorites like Tommy James’ “Crimson and Clover,” Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” and many, many more.

Wait and see who the TODAY anchors will channel in this tribute to all things Kellyoke.

Al Roker posted a photo on Instagram of a costume he inspired.

"You know it’s #halloween when your stylist from @mitchellstores Brian Hawkins shows up dressed up as you. Well played, sir," he wrote.

Hawkins was wearing Al's signature hat and glasses, paired with a colorful button-down shirt and spiffy tie. He looked a lot like Al in the picture, who was also wearing a hat, glasses, colorful button-down and tie.

Hawkins later joined Al on the Plaza. Fashion legends!

TODAY will celebrate Halloween throughout all three hours of the show Oct. 31, starting with the costume reveals beginning in the 8 a.m. and some truly show-stopping performances by all the TODAY co-hosts (trust us).

From there, TODAY gets into the spirit of the season with Halloween games, recipes, costumes and other holiday-inspired activities right on through the 3rd Hour of TODAY.

Settle in, because you don't want to miss a minute. But if you do, we'll be recapping moments on social media, and the episode will be available to stream on NBC.com.

"So I did a thing," Dylan Dreyer wrote in the caption of Instagram post, which went live early Halloween morning.

The photo is too blurry to discern what it's actually of — but she's implying it's her costume.

"We take Halloween very seriously at the TODAY show," she continued.

While we wait for this year's epic reveal, let's take a stroll down memory lane and look back at TODAY costumes from years gone by.

Oh, what a year 2022 was!

Last year's theme was Las Vegas, and the TODAY anchors' costumes celebrated all things Sin City. Some of the highlights included Sheinelle Jones dressed as an authentic Vegas showgirl, Al Roker as Sammy Davis Jr. and Willie Geist as the legendary Elvis Presley ... officiating an actual wedding.

Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie wowed with their performance as Cirque du Soleil performers on the Plaza.

Take a look!

From left to right, here's a recap of the 2022 lineup:

• Sheinelle as a showgirl.
• Carson Daly and Dylan Dreyer as David Copperfield and Adelaide Herrmann.
•  Jenna Bush Hager as Celine Dion.
• Willie as Elvis Presley.
• Craig Melvin as Muhammad Ali.
•  Hoda and Savannah as performers from the Cirque du Soleil show “O.”
• Al as Sammy Davis Jr.
• Peter Alexander and Kristen Welker as Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.

2021

It was a total touchdown in 2021, when the TODAY co-hosts dressed up as "Football Fright in America." Score!

2020

The lights of Broadway were shining extra bright as TODAY anchors dressed up as their favorite stars.

2019

The TODAY got dowwwwn in 2019, celebrating famous dance routines in movie history. These performances were true showstoppers!

2018

The clocks said 2018, but it was the '80s in TODAY anchors' hearts that Halloween. Anchors dressed up as icons of movie, music and pop culture.

2017

It was a country roundup in 2017 when the Grand Ole Opry took over the Plaza.

2016

If you like the '90s, you'll love this TODAY tribute to the decade that brought us Beanie Babies and Furbies.

Love TODAY's Halloween costumes? Well then, don't stop now! Continue your journey through TODAY show costume history right here.