Every year, Rivian takes Halloween more seriously than arguably any other automaker, and 2026 continues the trend with a new Ghostbusters-themed over-the-air update that rolls out to the R1T, R1S, and R2 tomorrow, Friday, October 10. Rivian playfully says this will "transform every Rivian into a ghost-hunting machine." Activating Halloween Mode will reveal "sounds light and clues that unlock hidden characters and even a few unexpected surprises."We'll go into more detail on these novelties shortly, but Rivian isn't stopping at a software update, announcing a season-long celebration of the Sony Pictures film with a new ad campaign (embedded further in this article), "retail space and community events," and exhibits across the country showing versions of the so-caled Ecto-R1 in these images. No, you can't buy this stuff for your Rivian, but you do get to hear the voice of Bill Murray, who helped kick the franchise off as Dr. Peter Venkman in the original film in 1984.Ghostbusters App, Custom Lights & Sounds, and MoreRivianThe 2026 Halloween Mode comes in its own Ghostbusters in-vehicle app, and because what happens once you open this is pretty immersive, you can only do this when parked. Criterion met, the driver's display changes to a Ghostbusters-themed old-school linear/ribbon speedometer look which stays active while driving, while the rest of the effects only happen when you're in Park, with a red toggle 'switch' on the central touchscreen synchronizing the interior lighting, themed audio, and exterior displays. In Trick or Treat Mode, the driver and rear displays change, and the exterior lighting and audio systems sync to the interior routine, with six themes to choose from, all of which can also be controlled remotely from the Rivian app: Ecto-1, Proton Pack, Slimer, Ghost Trap, Peter Venkman, or Random, each with their own exterior LED sequences and soundscapes. Amusingly, you can enable Motion Mode to get your Rivian to 'react' whenever someone walks past.RivianDrivers can also choose custom lock sounds, with the Gen 1 R1 getting access only to Ecto-1 and the Gen 2 and R2 offering Ecto-1 plus Proton Pack and Chant. Rivian software engineers have also designed a scavenger hunt that provides interactive clue cards steering you toward hidden characters within submenus like drive modes, Gear Guard settings, side cameras, and the Energy app. When you find a Ghost Guard or Slimer character, the vehicle plays a special animation and sound. As if that's not enough, the Voice Assitant gets an "eerie" tone and can be used to read clues, or play exterior light shows or sounds, and there's a Mallow Mash game you can play off the center display while parked, the objective of which is to pop as many Mini-Pufts marshmallow men as possible within a specified time. All of this comes through software version 2026.36.0 on the R1 and through version 2026.36.40 for the R2.Rivian Showing Off Ghostbusters Material Across AmericaRivianAlong with a new ad spot launched today featuring Bill Murray and some of the creative forces behind Ghostbusters: Afterlife and Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, let's quickly touch on the Ecto-R1, a modern take on the famous Ghostbustersmobile. As the blue lights indicate, this isn't a street-legal look, but it definitely grabs attention with 22-inch silver wheels with aero covers in white, red graphics (including the No-Ghost logo on the hood and front doors and hood), and a roof rack featuring sirens, spotlights, restored vintage emergency lights, a radar dish, and side tanks. There's also a little compass design that can only be seen from above, and aside from those old lights, everything else was fabricated by Rivian's Special Projects division.Rivian's stores in Laguna Beach, Austin, Venice, Miami Brickell, San Francisco, and New York City Meatpacking District will have Halloween celebrations with Ecto-R1 builds on show, and its chargers will also be Ghostbusters-themed. The stores will also sell limited-edition merchandise and provide themed refreshments. On top of that, Rivian will be at the NYC Village Halloween Parade, Menchie's Frozen Yogurt popup in L.A., and more yet to be announced. The only question is, what does Rivian do next year? Well, I've been thinking… How about a Star Wars theme with the R1 as C-3PO and the R2 as, you guessed it, R2-D2? Come on Rivian (and Disney), it's sitting right there.Sebastian Cenizo/ChatGPT