Halloween has finally arrived and with it comes the event of the season: TODAY’s Halloween extravaganza.
For nearly two decades, TODAY has celebrated the holiday as only TODAY can, as anchors show off their next-level Halloween costumes through gasp-worthy reveals and a host of performances.
In years past, TODAY talent have dressed up around themes like Broadway (2020), Las Vegas (2022) and the ’80s (2018). What will they be in 2023?
The theme this year was Kellyoke in honor of "The Kelly Clarkson Show's" move to New York, and featured the anchors lip synching Taylor Swift, Sonny and Cher and more.
The whole gang is in on this year’s big Plaza reveal, including Carson Daly, Craig Melvin, Dylan Dreyer, Willie Geist, Peter Alexander, Laura Jarrett, Jenna Bush Hager, Hoda Kotb, Al Roker, Sheinelle Jones and Savannah Guthrie.
Below, we’re revealing this year's theme and costume reveals, and giving behind-the-scenes details from TODAY costume designer Staci Greenbaum that you won't find anywhere else.
According to Greenbaum, in the days leading up to the big reveal, there are a lot of "shifts, shuffles and changes" to get the costumes just right and that behind the scenes, it takes a team to get them ready in time.
"I have six or eight different costume-builders overall, building custom stuff for everyone," says Greenbaum. "It's not like you can go into a store and find this stuff."
But all the time and effort is worth it in the end, she says. "Everyone's going to look amazing."
TODAY Halloween 2023 comes to end
And that's a wrap! Another Halloween come and gone. We admit that we're probably partial, but this year was truly one of the very best.
Befitting TODAY's Kellyoke theme, Hoda and Jenna reprised their performance as Sonny and Cher, singing "I've Got You Babe" one last time to close the show.
This time, however, the pair sang the song themselves while holding hands. "We love you!" Hoda calls out, wrapping up a star-studded extravaganza we'll never forget.
From Hoda, Jenna, Savannah, Al, Dylan, Carson, Sheinelle, Willie, Peter and Laura and the rest of the TODAY team, Happy Halloween!
Laura shows us what it's like to be in TODAY's Halloween show
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!
The TODAY anchors serenade show producer Kevin Schatell
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!"
Savannah reveals how she brought Taylor Swift to the Plaza
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.
Laura and Peter see each other as Gwen Stefani and Blake Shelton
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.
Find Halloween inspiration with these '70s costumes
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.
Hoda and Jenna cook '70s style with Elizabeth Heiskell
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.
Sonny and Cher, meet Harry Styles
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.
It's a Hoda and Jenna sitcom!
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.
TODAY goes behind the scenes of this year's Halloween 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.