Book Week Costume Hire for Teachers 2026: Your Character, Sorted.

Teachers, you know the drill. This year book Week lands on 22–28 August 2026, the whole school dresses up, and somehow you’re expected to produce a costume that survives a full teaching day, photographs well at the parade, and doesn’t involve a hot glue gun at 11pm.

This year’s CBCA theme is “Symphony of Stories” — and 2026 is a big one: it marks 80 years of the CBCA Book of the Year Awards. Expect plenty of schools to lean into the celebration, which means the well-known characters will be in demand early.

That’s where we come in. Costume Wonderland in Bentleigh has been dressing Melbourne’s teachers for Book Week for decades, with a huge range of adult character costumes for hire — professionally cleaned, properly fitted, and ready to walk out the door.

Why teachers hire instead of buy

A hired costume is a complete, stage-quality outfit — not a flimsy packet costume. You try it on in-store (no appointment needed), we fit it to you with on-the-spot alterations if needed, and when Book Week’s done you simply bring it back. No storage, no sewing, no regrets.

And if your staff room is plotting a group theme, even better — we have full character sets so the whole cast can come from one place. Ask us about group fittings.

Book before 17 August

One tip from years of Book Week experience: get your costume locked in by 17 August. It’s not a hard cut-off — but the closer the parade gets, the more likely your first-choice character is already out with another teacher. We hold several copies of our most popular characters, so early birds almost always get exactly what they want.

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Staff room theme: The Wizard of Oz

There’s a reason Oz is the perennial staff-group favourite — instantly recognisable, brilliant in photos, and there’s a character for everyone:

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Staff room theme: Alice in Wonderland

For bigger teams, Wonderland goes deeper — seven-plus distinct characters before anyone has to double up:

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Going solo? The classics never miss

If you’re choosing your own adventure, these storybook favourites are all in the hire range:

Make it sing: easy “Symphony of Stories” touches

Want to nod to the 2026 theme without changing character? Add an instrument. A tambourine for Dorothy, a trumpet for the Mayor of Munchkin City, a triangle for the White Rabbit (he’s on a tight schedule). One musical prop turns any classic character into a Symphony of Stories costume — and our accessories wall has you covered.

What about your students?

Parents asking where to get kids’ costumes? Our kids’ Book Week costumes are available to buy — so they’re theirs to keep for the dress-up box (and next year’s parade). Point families to the kids’ Book Week range or send them in-store to try before they buy.

Book Week costume hire FAQs