Celebrate the 1st Annual National Independent Costume Store Day at Chicago Costume
National Independent Costume Store Day at Chicago Costume
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Celebrate the first National Independent Costume Store Day with Chicago Costume at their two Chicago stores. At 1120 W. Fullerton, they're planning face painting and a living statue. At 4727 W. Montrose, they'll have a Broadway Costumes open house, the debut of their Sewing Speakeasy fabric and sewing supplies shopping experience, and a vintage sale if weather permits. Come in costume and help them celebrate Chicago's independent creative businesses.
Learn more about the national holiday here
To celebrate these remarkable businesses and raise awareness of their contributions, the National Costumers Association proudly introduces National Independent Costume Store Day, an annual celebration dedicated to recognizing and supporting locally owned costume shops. The event will be held on the second Saturday of October, which falls on October 10 in 2026.
National Independent Costume Store Day encourages consumers to discover the unique experience only an independent costume store can provide. Unlike seasonal retailers, these businesses offer personalized service, professional expertise, theatrical-quality products, rentals, custom fabrication, repairs, makeup instruction, and decades of accumulated knowledge that simply cannot be replicated by online marketplaces or temporary pop-up stores.
The celebration also shines a spotlight on the thousands of talented people working behind the scenes—from costume designers, seamstresses, sculptors, fabricators, wig stylists, and makeup artists to retail professionals and rental specialists—whose creativity makes performances, celebrations, and unforgettable memories possible.
Communities, schools, theatres, businesses, and families are encouraged to participate by visiting their local costume shop, attending special events, sharing stories and memories, supporting local retailers, and celebrating the creativity that costumes inspire.
Whether preparing for a school production, a Halloween celebration, a community festival, a film production, a cosplay event, or simply encouraging imaginative play, independent costume stores continue to prove that costumes do much more than help people dress up—they help people tell stories, celebrate traditions, build confidence, and create lasting memories.
The National Costumers Association is proud to establish National Independent Costume Store Day as a lasting celebration of an industry that has quietly served communities for generations, ensuring that creativity, craftsmanship, and the joy of costuming continue to thrive for years to come.
