30 Halloween Costume Ideas Only Cincinnati Residents Will Understand
Cincinnati has plenty of weirdness that's begging to become the most niche Halloween costumes ever. Turn these Queen City landmarks, personalities and headlines into memorable, possibly award-winning getups and laugh as your friends from other cities try – and fail – to get it.
Photo: goettafest.com
Glier's Goetta Tube
If goetta is good enough for its own festival, it's good enough for a Halloween costume. Bonus: you probably won't have to worry about anybody else wearing the same getup!1 of 30
Photo: Provided 3CDC
3CDC "Coming Soon" Sign
These are common enough to be a fixture in Cincinnati lore now.2 of 30
Photo: IMDB
The Brady Bunch at Kings Island
Remember when the Brady Bunch crew filmed at Kings Island in 1973? This is your group costume, groovy plaid pants and all.3 of 30
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Loveland Frogman
The Cincinnati area’s most famous cryptid is just begging for the costume treatment.4 of 30
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
The Tyler Davidson Fountain at Fountain Square
Wear something bronze-ish, hold blue streamers and call it a day.5 of 30
Photo: Provided by FOCO
Joey Votto Bobblehead
Even though he's recovering from shoulder surgery, Votto IS the Cincinnati Reds at this point and deserves his own costumed tribute. Alternate costume: Votto wearing a broadcast earpiece and a tank top that says "Gym Day."6 of 30
Photo: Provided by Skyline
3-Way
This Halloween's sexiest costume is a 3-way. Dress up as Cincinnati’s favorite drunk food — steamy spaghetti topped with loads of chili and cheese.7 of 30
Photo: Jason Zhang, Wikimedia Commons
Oyster Cracker
Party all night dressed as this iconic Cincinnati snack. Couples costume idea: Have your significant other go as hot sauce or a 3-way.8 of 30
Photo: Provided
Holtman's Donuts Sign
Alas, Holtman's closed its Over-the-Rhine location in 2022, but the iconic pink sign still would make a peak Cincinnati Halloween costume.9 of 30
Photo: DDohler, Flickr Creative Commons
A Pothole
Raise your hand if you’ve been personally victimized by one of Cincinnati's biggest frustrations.10 of 30
Photo: Lisa Hubbard via The Cincinnati Zoo
Fritz the Hippo
The Cincinnati Zoo's newest baby hippopotamus is just as cute as his famous big sister Fiona.11 of 30
Photo: Anthony 22, Wikipedia
Brent Spence Bridge
Only wear this costume if you want everybody to hate you.12 of 30
Photo: Gage Skidmore, Wikimedia Commons
A Big-Lipped J.D. Vance
"All you do is kiss my ass to get my support," former U.S. President Donald Trump once told "hillbilly"-turned-MAGA Republican and Middletown native J.D. Vance.13 of 30
Photo: Hailey Bollinger
Capitoline Wolf Statue
Okay, yes, it was a gift from Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and, yes, it was stolen from Eden Park in 2022. That just means you have options: the full statue, the missing bear, or the two creepy kids.14 of 30
Photo: Google Maps
Blake “The Attorney” Maislin
Break out your best suit and boxing gloves and tell all your friends to call 444-4444.15 of 30
Photo: Sarah Stierch, Flickr Creative Commons
Kroger Bag
Need a last minute costume? Become the tumbleweed of Cincinnati.16 of 30
Photo: Facebook.com/CincyShirts
Fashion Icon Joe Burrow
Okay, sure, he's the Cincinnati Bengals' quarterback, but Burrow has become almost as well known for his style. Toss on some rose sunglasses and a SpongeBob suit and tell everyone you're on your way to the game.17 of 30
Photo: frischs.com
Jar of Frisch's Tartar Sauce
Only crushed ice and Big Boy himself are more iconic at Frisch’s. Will you be regular tartar sauce or spicy tartar sauce? Go by what's in your fridge (you know you have some).18 of 30
Photo: Jason Riedy, Flickr Creative Commons
Florence Y'all Water Tower
Northern Kentucky's big beacon is begging for the costume treatment.19 of 30
Photo: Facebook.com/LaRosasPizzeria
Slice of LaRosa’s Pizza
If you want to be extra-Cincinnati, claim you're from the LaRosa's at Kings Island.20 of 30