Rivian’s Halloween mode for 2026 is Ghostbusters: a software update gives every Rivian proton beam headlights and ghost trap sounds through November 1, and a custom-wrapped Ecto-R1 is touring Rivian’s showrooms this month. Rivian’s calendar lists Ghostbusters nights at six of its locations through October 29.
The Six Features in Rivian’s Ghostbusters Halloween Mode
Halloween mode is a software update for the R1S, R1T and R2, made with Sony Pictures, the studio behind Ghostbusters, and Rivian’s Halloween page lists six features:
- The big red switch: an on-screen switch that turns the vehicle “into a Ghostbusters ride complete with custom sound packs.”
- Light and sound show: Proton Pack, Ghost Trap and other themes for the exterior, cabin and overhead lights, started from the vehicle or the Rivian app.
- Trick or Treat mode: the vehicle detects costumed visitors and greets them with Ghostbusters sound effects and lights. It can be switched on from the vehicle, a phone or an Apple Watch.
- ’Mallow Mash: a game on the center screen where players catch Mini-Pufts, the marshmallow characters.
- Hints: a series of hints that lead to characters and features hidden in the vehicle.
- Slimer settings theme: turns the vehicle’s screens green, with a toggle to switch it off.
“With the press of a button, Halloween mode turns your vehicle into an all-electric ghost-busting ride, with eerie lighting, iconic sounds and a few special tricks,” Rivian wrote in the description of its Halloween ad.
Bill Murray Is in Rivian’s Halloween Ad
Rivian’s 71-second Halloween ad went up on its YouTube channel on October 8 as “Rivian Halloween mode | Ghostbusters ft. Bill Murray.” Murray played Dr. Peter Venkman in the Ghostbusters films, and the ad’s description opens with the character: “PKE readings were off the charts. Good thing Dr. Peter Venkman and the Ecto-R1 were ready to take the call.”
The Ecto-R1 Show Car and Its Showroom Tour
The Ecto-R1 is a custom-wrapped Rivian in white and red with the Ghostbusters logo on its hood and doors, blue lights and equipment on its roof, and a New York license plate that reads ECTO-R1. Rivian’s Halloween page says the car is “on tour in our spaces this month,” using the company’s word for its showrooms, and that it is a custom vehicle that is not available for purchase. The page does not list the tour’s stops or dates, and it pairs a demo-drive booking link with the line “Experience our Halloween features in the flesh.”
Rivian Presents: Ghostbusters Event Dates
Rivian’s calendar lists six “Rivian Presents: Ghostbusters” nights at its showrooms:
- Laguna Beach, CA (Rivian South Coast Theater): Saturday, October 10, 6:30 to 9 p.m. Its event page describes a family movie night with Ghostbusters on screen at 7 p.m., “slime popcorn,” coloring pages for kids, and costumes encouraged.
- Austin, TX: Thursday, October 22, 6 to 9 p.m.
- Venice, CA: Thursday, October 22, listed from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m.
- Miami (Brickell): Thursday, October 22, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- San Francisco: Thursday, October 29, 6 to 9 p.m.
- New York: Thursday, October 29, 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Rivian’s calendar also has seven kids’ events from October 10 through October 25: Creepy Crawly Slime Lab sessions in San Francisco, Venice, Calabasas, Glendale and Irvine, and Spooky Sensory sessions in Austin and San Diego. Rivian Brea has a Spooky Celebration on Halloween, Saturday, October 31, from noon to 3 p.m.
Gear Guard Ghost Shirts and a Glow-in-the-Dark Tote
Rivian’s Gear Shop has three Halloween items with its Gear Guard character drawn as a ghost: a T-shirt for $40, a kids’ T-shirt for $30, and a tote bag for $35 printed with glow-in-the-dark ink. Each listing says the item is sold only for the Halloween season.
Ghostbusters Decor, Freeform Airings, and Sony’s Haunted Houses
Sony Pictures, Rivian’s partner on the mode, also has I Know What You Did Last Summer at the three SeaWorlds and Anaconda at both Busch Gardens this fall, which puts its films in haunted houses at all five Howl-O-Scream parks.
HalloweenCostumes.com’s 12-foot Stay Puft Marshmallow Man animatronic is in my licensed Halloween decor roundup, which has Ghostbusters among the licensed properties climbing this year, and my Halloween inflatables guide has a 33-foot inflatable Stay Puft. Freeform’s 31 Nights of Halloween has Ghostbusters films on its schedule through October 30, and my 31 Nights of Halloween schedule lists each airing.
Halloween mode is available through November 1 for the R1S, R1T and R2. Rivian’s Halloween page, rivian.com/l/halloween, has the event list and a link to each night’s page.
