Believe it or not, of all the fall Episodes of Gilmore Girls, there’s only one “official” Halloween scene on Gilmore Girls (Season 6, Episode 7 “Twenty-One is the Loneliest Number”). That said, there are still many fun “dress up” episodes that feel like Halloween for you to watch in October, whether you’re taking the Rory Gilmore reading challenge with us to read the books on Gilmore Girls or just getting into the spirit of this fall holiday in Stars Hollow fashion.
Save or share the graphic below for quick reference, and keep reading if you need help remembering the plots.
Note:
I personally tracked these episodes over the two years I spent creating my Unofficial Guide to the Books on Gilmore Girls. I took note of events, clothing, nature, and original air dates in categorizing them.
Gilmore Girls Episodes That Feel Like Halloween
Gilmore Girls not maximizing the fall Halloween vibes was really a big miss. A few things we could have had:
- Trick-or-treating in Stars Hollow
- A haunted house run by Kirk
- A masquerade ball at Richard’s and Emily’s
- Mischief by the Life and Death Brigade
- Luke being forced to dress up
- A real-life game of Clue at the Inn
I could go on! But, in the meantime, here is what we do get in the Gilmore Girls universe.
Season 1, Episode 2 “The Lorelais’ First Day at Chilton”
While Lorelai’s and Rory’s first day at Chilton doesn’t fall on Halloween, it gives us two of the most worn costumes for these characters: Rory’s Chilton uniform and Lorelai’s “laundry day” rodeo outfit. These ideas are popular with my readers each and every Halloween. So, let this episode inspire you!
Season 3, Episode 7 “They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?”
A beloved episode, “They Shoot Gilmores, Don’t They?” is a nod to the 1969 movie They Shoot Horses, Don’t They?, about a tragic Depression-era dance marathon. Of course, at Stars Hollow’s dance marathon, the girls likewise dress in Depression-era garb, like costumes. It’s basically a themed dance party.
Season 3, Episode 17 “A Tale of Poes and Fire”
In this iconic episode about the Poe Society staying at the Independence Inn, several characters dress as author Edgar Allan Poe and represent a very Halloween-spirited man known for macabre tales. For these reasons, it’s my own top pick!
Season 5, Episode 17 “Pulp Friction”
Though not a Halloween party per se, Rory attends Finn’s Quentin Tarantino-themed birthday party at Yale with Robert.
- Rory is dressed as Gogo Yubari from Kill Bill.
- Logan is dressed as Butch from Pulp Fiction.
- Finn is dressed as Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction.
- Whitney is dressed as The Bride / Beatrix Kiddo from Kill Bill.
- Colin is dressed as Bill in Kill Bill.
- Robert is dead extra number two.
What do we make of her costume choice being akin to her Chilton uniform? I’m wondering if it’s meant to make her look like the goodie-two-shoes prep-school girl gone bad in college. A sign of her future troubles at Yale?
Season 6, Episode 7 “Twenty-One is the Loneliest Number”
This is the one official Halloween episode of Gilmore Girls! Babette and Morey decorate in grand fashion for Halloween. To be honest, this noose scene is kind of disturbing, and I don’t think it would air today.
The rest of the episode mostly centers on a different kind of celebration — Rory’s 21st birthday.
A Year in the Life: Fall
Here, the Life and Death Brigade does the whole Steampunk/Beatles bit in costume. I can’t decide whether it’s cute and fun or cheesy and over-the-top. Sorry, Colin and Finn, but I’m leaning toward the latter. I think I would have preferred something like an underground secret society meeting — without singing and dancing.
