See Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka's Family's Iconic Halloween Costumes, All in One Place

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Neil Patrick Harris/Instagram

Year after year,Neil Patrick Harris,David Burtkaandtheir twinsprove to be the ultimate Halloween family!The actors husbands have been coordinating their quartet’s costumes since 2011, when their daughter Harper and son Gideon (now 14) were just 1 year old. They’ve celebrated spooky season with references to famous characters — like their Wizard of Oz ensemble from 2012 — and historical icons, from Old Hollywood figures in 2016 to fast food mascots in 2022.Every October they up the ante: check out all of the Harris-Burtka family’s elaborate Halloween costumes from over the years.

Year after year,Neil Patrick Harris,David Burtkaandtheir twinsprove to be the ultimate Halloween family!

The actors husbands have been coordinating their quartet’s costumes since 2011, when their daughter Harper and son Gideon (now 14) were just 1 year old. They’ve celebrated spooky season with references to famous characters — like their Wizard of Oz ensemble from 2012 — and historical icons, from Old Hollywood figures in 2016 to fast food mascots in 2022.

Every October they up the ante: check out all of the Harris-Burtka family’s elaborate Halloween costumes from over the years.

01of 152024: Music SuperstarsNeil Patrick Harris' family’s 2024 Halloween costume.Courtesy of Neil Patrick HarrisIt wasicons only for the Burtka-Harris' 2024 costumes! The family portrayed musical superstars all in the same recording studio: Gideon was Elton John, Burtka was Elvis, Harper was Madonna in the ’80s and Harris was “Life on Mars”-era David Bowie.

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2024: Music Superstars

Neil Patrick Harris' family’s 2024 Halloween costume.Courtesy of Neil Patrick Harris

Courtesy of Neil Patrick Harris

It wasicons only for the Burtka-Harris' 2024 costumes! The family portrayed musical superstars all in the same recording studio: Gideon was Elton John, Burtka was Elvis, Harper was Madonna in the ’80s and Harris was “Life on Mars”-era David Bowie.

02of 152023: Greek GodsThe family of four got creative once again in 2023,dressing as Greek godsfor a Olympus-inspired group costume. Harris sourced inspiration from the underworld as Hades, while his husband pulled from the deep blue and dressed as Poseidon, the god of the sea.The kids looked just as mythical as their dads. Harper styled herself as Aphrodite, the goddess of love, in a long blonde wig while Gideon became Hermes the messenger god in a winged helmet and matching winged sandals.“Atop Mount Olympus, We Doth Decree: Happy Halloween, Mortals!” theUncoupledstarwrote on Instagram, directing his followers to check out Burtka‘s page for somebehind-the-scenes picsfrom their elaborate photoshoot.

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2023: Greek Gods

The family of four got creative once again in 2023,dressing as Greek godsfor a Olympus-inspired group costume. Harris sourced inspiration from the underworld as Hades, while his husband pulled from the deep blue and dressed as Poseidon, the god of the sea.

The kids looked just as mythical as their dads. Harper styled herself as Aphrodite, the goddess of love, in a long blonde wig while Gideon became Hermes the messenger god in a winged helmet and matching winged sandals.

“Atop Mount Olympus, We Doth Decree: Happy Halloween, Mortals!” theUncoupledstarwrote on Instagram, directing his followers to check out Burtka‘s page for somebehind-the-scenes picsfrom their elaborate photoshoot.

03of 152022: Fast Food MascotsNeil Patrick Harris/InstagramWe’re feeling kinda hungry! In 2022 the foursomedressed up for the holidayas some of America’s most beloved fast food mascots.“Trick Or Meat,” Harris captioned the Instagram post on Monday. “Happy Halloween from the BOOrtka-Harris Family.“Harper was dressed as Wendy of Wendy’s fame, sitting holding a burger next to Burtka, dressed as the Burger King himself.Next to him, Harris sat in full Ronald McDonald garb with a cup in one hand and a french fry hanging out of his mouth. Last but not least was Gideon, sitting on the floor holding a piece of fried chicken while dressed as Colonel Sanders.

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2022: Fast Food Mascots

Neil Patrick Harris/Instagram

We’re feeling kinda hungry! In 2022 the foursomedressed up for the holidayas some of America’s most beloved fast food mascots.

“Trick Or Meat,” Harris captioned the Instagram post on Monday. “Happy Halloween from the BOOrtka-Harris Family.”

Harper was dressed as Wendy of Wendy’s fame, sitting holding a burger next to Burtka, dressed as the Burger King himself.

Next to him, Harris sat in full Ronald McDonald garb with a cup in one hand and a french fry hanging out of his mouth. Last but not least was Gideon, sitting on the floor holding a piece of fried chicken while dressed as Colonel Sanders.

04of 152021: Horror Movie CharactersNeil Patrick Harris/InstagramIn 2021, the family dressed up as characters from classic horror movies, with Harris as Norman Bates fromPsycho, Burtka as Jack Torrance fromThe Shining, Gideon as the evil doll Chucky from theChild’s Playfilm franchise and Harper as the possessed Regan fromThe Exorcist.“I hope you all Murder Halloween this year!“Burtka captioned the portraitof Harris and their twins.Harris added on hisInstagram, “Frights, Camera, Action!' This Halloween, may all your screams come true… #halloween2021.”

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2021: Horror Movie Characters

In 2021, the family dressed up as characters from classic horror movies, with Harris as Norman Bates fromPsycho, Burtka as Jack Torrance fromThe Shining, Gideon as the evil doll Chucky from theChild’s Playfilm franchise and Harper as the possessed Regan fromThe Exorcist.

“I hope you all Murder Halloween this year!“Burtka captioned the portraitof Harris and their twins.

Harris added on hisInstagram, “Frights, Camera, Action!' This Halloween, may all your screams come true… #halloween2021.”

05of 152020: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate FactoryAt home in 2020, the family channeled characters from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.Burtka stood behind the open gates to the “chocolate factory” as the purple-jacket-and-top-hat clad Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder), while Harris expertly portrayed Arthur Slugworth/Mr. Wilkinson from the beloved 1971 musical fantasy film.Gideon posed as Charlie Bucket, holding up agolden ticketwith an innocently gleeful expression on his face. Harper, meanwhile, made a perfect Veruca Salt, dressed in the bratty character’s signature red-and-white dress while holding her own golden ticket and a rainbow lollipop.

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2020: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory

At home in 2020, the family channeled characters from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

Burtka stood behind the open gates to the “chocolate factory” as the purple-jacket-and-top-hat clad Willy Wonka (Gene Wilder), while Harris expertly portrayed Arthur Slugworth/Mr. Wilkinson from the beloved 1971 musical fantasy film.

Gideon posed as Charlie Bucket, holding up agolden ticketwith an innocently gleeful expression on his face. Harper, meanwhile, made a perfect Veruca Salt, dressed in the bratty character’s signature red-and-white dress while holding her own golden ticket and a rainbow lollipop.

06of 152019: Famous ArtistsIn 2019, the Harris-Burtka emulated iconic artists. Harris dressed up as Vincent van Gogh, Burtka transformed into Salvador Dali, their daughter channeledFrida Kahloand their son recreated Andy Warhol’s iconic look. “Welcome to the 2019 Burtka-Harris Boo-seum of Art. Audio guides are available in the gift shop. #happyhalloween @dbelicious,” Harris captioned hisInstagram portraitof the family of four.

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2019: Famous Artists

In 2019, the Harris-Burtka emulated iconic artists. Harris dressed up as Vincent van Gogh, Burtka transformed into Salvador Dali, their daughter channeledFrida Kahloand their son recreated Andy Warhol’s iconic look. “Welcome to the 2019 Burtka-Harris Boo-seum of Art. Audio guides are available in the gift shop. #happyhalloween @dbelicious,” Harris captioned hisInstagram portraitof the family of four.

07of 152018: The Haunted MansionDavid Burtka/InstagramThe Disney-loving crewchanneled the ride The Haunted Mansionin 2018, even managing to look like ghosts in their annual photo.

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2018: The Haunted Mansion

David Burtka/Instagram

The Disney-loving crewchanneled the ride The Haunted Mansionin 2018, even managing to look like ghosts in their annual photo.

08of 152017: Freak Show PerformersNeil Patrick Harris/InstagramThe adorable fam kicked off their own freakshow-themed performance in 2017 as a clown, master of ceremonies, strong man and bearded lady.

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2017: Freak Show Performers

The adorable fam kicked off their own freakshow-themed performance in 2017 as a clown, master of ceremonies, strong man and bearded lady.

09of 152016: Hollywood IconsSource: Neil Patrick Harris/InstagramIn 2016, the family took on Hollywood iconsMarilyn Monroe, Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin andJames Dean.

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2016: Hollywood Icons

Source: Neil Patrick Harris/Instagram

In 2016, the family took on Hollywood iconsMarilyn Monroe, Groucho Marx, Charlie Chaplin andJames Dean.

10of 152015: Star WarsSource: Neil Patrick Harris/InstagramThe real-life twins channeled movie siblings Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, while Burtka and Harris were decked out as Han Solo and Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2015. And they brought Yoda along for their Halloween festivities, of course!

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2015: Star Wars

The real-life twins channeled movie siblings Princess Leia and Luke Skywalker, while Burtka and Harris were decked out as Han Solo and Obi-Wan Kenobi in 2015. And they brought Yoda along for their Halloween festivities, of course!

11of 152014: BatmanCourtesy Neil Patrick HarrisThe dads took a villainous turn as Gotham bad boys —the Riddler and the Jokerin 2014 — butBatman(Gideon) and Batgirl (Harper) were there to thwart any evil shenanigans.

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2014: Batman

Courtesy Neil Patrick Harris

The dads took a villainous turn as Gotham bad boys —the Riddler and the Jokerin 2014 — butBatman(Gideon) and Batgirl (Harper) were there to thwart any evil shenanigans.

12of 152013: Frankensteinprojectphotobooth.comLater that year, the family made it amonster mash-upwith Harris as Frankenstein, Gideon as a werewolf, Harper as a fierce Bride of Frankenstein and Burtka rocking a fang-tastic ensemble.

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2013: Frankenstein

projectphotobooth.com

Later that year, the family made it amonster mash-upwith Harris as Frankenstein, Gideon as a werewolf, Harper as a fierce Bride of Frankenstein and Burtka rocking a fang-tastic ensemble.

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2013: Alice in Wonderland

14of 152012: The Wizard of OzCourtesy Neil Patrick HarrisThe clanpaid homage toThe Wizard of Ozin 2012, dressing up as Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and an itty-bitty Cowardly Lion.

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2012: The Wizard of Oz

The clanpaid homage toThe Wizard of Ozin 2012, dressing up as Dorothy, Tin Man, Scarecrow and an itty-bitty Cowardly Lion.

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2011: Peter Pan

source: people.com