Oscar the Grouch is the Top Searched Costume in Richmond

by | Oct 14, 2024 | COMMUNITY, CULTURE, WTF?!

What’s the top costume trending in Richmond, VA this year? What could possibly sum up the spirit of Richmond, according to Google’s Frightgeist? Well, apparently, it’s Oscar the Grouch. Are we surprised?

In a year where so much change is happening in the city—new mayor, new city council, new school board—and with all the traffic headaches, tragic hit-and-runs, the endless debate over the Diamond District, the gentrification/influencer thing, the Richmond Gunhole drama, and the constant protesting and response, not to mention the ever-present arguments about who has the best BBQ and pizza—there’s a lot to be ‘grouchy’ about.

Oscar-The-Grouch-Richmond-by-R-Anthony-Harris
Find more HERE

But that’s the thing. Sure, we gripe, but we also care. We care about our city, our neighborhoods, and each other. And sometimes that means being just a little grouchy, a little pissed off about it. There’s something endearing about that kind of attitude—it’s refreshingly honest, a little rough around the edges.

After Oscar, other trending costumes in Richmond include Stitch from Lilo & Stitch—because Richmond is weird and cuddly soft like that. Then there’s Raygun, the Australian breakdancer who went viral worldwide. And let’s not forget the sweet nostalgia of Strawberry Shortcake, which suggests that, maybe it’s just old folks are searching for costumes?

Nationwide, costumes like “Shrunken Head Bob” from Beetlejuice are trending, along with more Raygun, pop stars, and Marvel heroes. But apparently here in Richmond, we’re sticking to what we know: a good, solid grouch.

Oscar-The-Grouch-Richmond-by-R-Anthony-Harris
Find more HERE

But hey, Charlottesville’s top costume this year is “Hooters.” Honestly, that says it all about that area, doesn’t it?

ABOUT FRIGHTGEIST

CONJURE TOP TRENDING COSTUMES THIS YEAR

Every October, searches for costumes spike on Google, and Google Trends offers a unique peek into how everyone’s getting ready for Halloween. With Frightgeist, the Google Trends Data Team has analyzed the top-trending costumes for 2024 across the U.S. and locally in all U.S. designated market areas (DMAs). Head over to the ‘Trending Costumes’ page to check out trending costumes, party themes, decor, and more, while the ‘Costume Map’ gives you a glimpse of what’s hot in your region.

METHODOLOGY

  1. Trending lists are calculated based on year-over-year comparisons of search interest from September 2024 to September 2023 in the United States.
  2. Insights from Trending Costumes are all based on U.S. data unless otherwise noted.
R. Anthony Harris

R. Anthony Harris

In 2005, I created RVA Magazine, and I'm still at the helm as its publisher. From day one, it’s been about pushing the “RVA” identity, celebrating the raw creativity and grit of this city. Along the way, we’ve hosted events, published stacks of issues, and, most importantly, connected with a hell of a lot of remarkable people who make this place what it is. Catch me at @majormajor____




more in community

A First Look at the New Brown’s Island

Brown's Island has been closed since November 2025 for a $30 million improvement project, the largest renovation of the six-acre island in decades. It will temporarily reopen for the Richmond Folk Festival, October 9 - 11th, giving Richmonders their first chance to...

Richmond Loves Dolly Parton

I was gonna kill my husband in a cab in Peru, but “Islands in the Stream” came on the radio, and we stopped arguing and started singing. She could do that to you. You could totally be feeling some type of way, but if you put some Dolly Parton on, well, then you got a...

Read the Virginia Pride 2026 Pride Guide 🏳️‍🌈

For more than a decade, RVA Magazine has worked with Virginia Pride to produce the Official VA PrideFest Guide, bringing together stories from Richmond’s LGBTQ+ community and everything you need to know for PrideFest this Saturday, September 12,...

A Quick Guide For This Labor Day Weekend in Richmond

Labor Day weekend is here, and if your plan was to sit around doing absolutely nothing for four days, Richmond has other ideas. Here are ten things worth getting out of the house for this Labor Day weekend. Commonwealth Sound ExchangeThursday, Sept. 3 through...