**Neil Patrick Harris and Family Embrace Vampire Theme for Halloween 2026 Celebration**
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As Halloween approaches, the Harris-Burtka family is once again making headlines with their impressive annual costume tradition. Actor and Broadway co-producer Neil Patrick Harris, along with his husband, David Burtka, and their 16-year-old twins, Harper and Gideon, have taken their Halloween celebrations to new heights this year by dressing up as iconic vampires.
This year’s costume revelation took place on the set of “The Lost Boys,” a new musical adaptation of the beloved 1987 cult classic film, which Harris co-produces. This creative choice allowed the family to mix personal connections with the Halloween festivities, as they set the scene for their elaborate family portrait on stage.
The family’s choice of vampire-themed attire sees Harris paying homage to Gary Oldman’s legendary take on Count Dracula from Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 film adaptation of Bram Stoker’s novel. Meanwhile, Burtka donned the eerie visage of Nosferatu, the daunting character from the iconic 1922 silent horror film, bringing a classic horror cinema element to their ensemble.
In a delightful twist, their son Gideon embraced the character of David, the charismatic vampire gang leader played by Kiefer Sutherland in “The Lost Boys,” while their daughter Harper exuded a sense of fierce vampire-hunting energy as Buffy Summers, the iconic heroine from the television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
The family shared their Halloween photograph on social media, captioning it playfully with, “. . . slay.” They added, “This year, we’re raising the stakes and craving a Halloween that doesn’t suck,” showcasing their trademark sense of humour and creativity.
Burtka took to social media to share behind-the-scenes glimpses of their costume preparations, expressing gratitude for the family tradition that continues to unite them. He stated, “This is one of our favourite family traditions. We are so grateful that our kids still want to play,” wishing everyone a happy Halloween and encouraging support for the Palace Theatre, home of “The Lost Boys.” He declared the venue “to die for” and urged fans to experience the musical, calling it “bloody brilliant.”
Harris reflected on the personal significance of the venue for their Halloween celebration, as his involvement in the production made the Palace Theatre an ideal backdrop for their photoshoot. “When looking at iconic vampires through the ages, it made complete sense to include David from ‘The Lost Boys,’” he explained, noting that it facilitated the logistics of organising their photo shoot compared to previous years.
The musical adaptation of “The Lost Boys” brings the classic film to stage, centred on the story of two brothers who move to a beach town in California only to find that its teenage residents harbour a dark secret. Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Arden, the production premiered at the Palace Theatre on April 26, 2026, featuring an engaging score from the indie rock band The Rescues with a book written by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch.
The cast includes standout performances from Shoshana Bean as Lucy Emerson, LJ Benet as Michael, Benjamin Pajak as Sam, and Ali Louis Bourzgui as David—Gideon’s character in the family’s Halloween ensemble. The production has already received significant acclaim, garnering 12 Tony Award nominations and winning four, with acting accolades going to both Bean and Bourzgui.
The Harris-Burtka family’s creative Halloween celebrations have become a much-anticipated annual event since they first began this tradition in 2011 when Harper and Gideon were just one year old. Their themed costumes have spanned a wide range of concepts over the years. From portraying characters from “Peter Pan” in their inaugural year to adopting a galactic look as Star Wars characters in 2015, each Halloween has brought its own unique flair.
In 2019, they embraced the artistic spirit by dressing as iconic artists, and their more sinister side emerged in 2021 when they conjured classic horror figures from films such as “Psycho” and “The Shining.” More recently, in 2023, they embodied figures from Greek mythology, with Harris and Burtka playing gods and their children taking on mythological roles. Last year, the family channelled music legends, proving they are never shy about going all out for Halloween.
As they prepare for Halloween 2026 in their impressive vampire costumes, the Harris-Burtka family continues to delight fans with their creativity and commitment to tradition, making each celebration a spectacle to remember.