Dr. Finkelstein Costume
Bring Halloween Town's resident eccentric mad scientist to life.
Dr. Finkelstein is the wheelchair-bound creator of Sally in Tim Burton's classic film, *The Nightmare Before Christmas*. This costume is a favorite for fans of the movie who want a unique, slightly spooky look that stands out in a crowd. The ensemble is defined by a white lab coat, long black gloves, round goggles, and his signature hinged skullcap that reveals a pink brain.
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Time
- ~45 min
- Budget
- $35–85
Try it on
See yourself as Dr. Finkelstein
One clear photo of yourself; we render you in this costume — face untouched, full body, about 20 seconds.
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What you need for a Dr. Finkelstein costume
Short on time? Buy it ready-made
Spirit Halloween sells the complete Dr. Finkelstein costume — one box instead of 5 pieces.
White lab coat
A long-sleeved white doctor's lab coat, ideally featuring a high, asymmetrical button-up collar.
DIY: Use a standard white lab coat and pin the collar up to sit high on the neck.
Dr. Finkelstein brain hat
A white fabric or latex bald cap with a hinged top flap that opens to show a pink, sculpted brain.
DIY: Paint a plastic bald cap white, cut a circular flap on top, and glue a pink foam brain inside.
Round black goggles
Thick-rimmed, round black glasses or steampunk-style goggles with dark lenses.
DIY: Pop the lenses out of cheap round sunglasses and paint the frames solid black.
Black elbow-length gloves
Long, glossy black rubber or vinyl gloves that reach up to the elbows.
DIY: Use standard black dishwashing gloves pulled over the sleeves of the lab coat.
Black pants
Simple black dress pants or scrub pants to wear under the lab coat.
DIY: Any plain black trousers or sweatpants from your closet.
Rather not assemble it? See ready-made Dr. Finkelstein costumes at Spirit Halloween ↗
How to put it together
- 1
Put on the black pants and a comfortable undershirt.
- 2
Slip on the white lab coat and button it completely to the top.
- 3
Apply pale white or light gray face paint to your face, neck, and ears, leaving the eye area bare.
- 4
Put on the round black goggles, adjusting them to sit comfortably on your nose.
- 5
Carefully place the Dr. Finkelstein skullcap over your head, ensuring it covers your natural hairline.
- 6
Pull the long black gloves over your hands and stretch them up over the sleeves of the lab coat.
Makeup & hair
Apply a base of pale white or light blue-gray face paint to mimic his sallow, undead complexion. Use dark gray eyeshadow around your eyes before putting on the goggles to create a sunken look.
Dr. Finkelstein for couples, groups, kids & more
- couples
- Pair up with someone dressed as Sally, his rebellious creation, or Jewel, his later creation.
- group
- Join a group featuring Jack Skellington, Sally, Oogie Boogie, and the Mayor of Halloween Town.
- kids
- A simplified version using a child-sized lab coat, black kitchen gloves, and a felt brain beanie.
- Plus size
- A loose-fitting white lab coat or medical scrubs provide an adjustable and comfortable fit.
- pet
- Dress a pet dog as Zero, the ghost dog, to accompany you on your rounds.
Tips
- If you use a wheelchair, you can decorate it with cardboard panels painted gray to look like his motorized mechanical chair.
- Secure the skullcap with bobby pins or a bit of spirit gum along the forehead to keep it from sliding.
- Take one glove off or fold it down when eating or drinking to maintain your grip.
Dr. Finkelstein costume FAQ
- How do I make the brain skullcap DIY?
- You can paint a plastic bald cap white, cut a hinged flap at the top, and sculpt a brain out of pink model magic or foam clay to glue inside.
- What kind of gloves does Dr. Finkelstein wear?
- He wears long, elbow-length black gloves, similar to heavy-duty cleaning or industrial safety gloves.
- Is a wheelchair required for this costume?
- While the character uses a wheelchair in the movie, you can easily walk around in the costume; the lab coat, goggles, and brain cap make him instantly recognizable.
Did you know? Dr. Finkelstein was voiced by the late William Hickey, who brought a perfectly cranky, nasal tone to the eccentric creator of Sally.