Suggestions for How to Celebrate Halloween This Fall
Spooky season is underway, and I’m glad that the Cornell community is still trying to find ways to celebrate. Here are some COVID-friendly suggestions on how to celebrate Halloween during a pandemic. Many of these recommendations are outdoors, so let’s hope that the weather on Halloween night is agreeable.
Go Costume Shopping
Of course, one of the best aspects of Halloween is putting your costume together. If you have not already decided on your Halloween look, hit up Party City or Spirit of Halloween at the Ithaca Mall with your friends. Spirit of Halloween is entirely dedicated to Halloween costumes and accessories, and it’s fun to browse in October. Also, check out Jacqueline Navas’s Slope Media article on Halloween costume inspiration.
Movie Night
This is an option I have heard many people talk about doing. It’s easy to see why because Halloween is the perfect occasion for a horror movie, and it’s a great reason to encourage your friends who do not usually watch horror to watch it with you. Plus, it’s an indoor activity that you can do with a few friends in your dorm/house/apartment. Buy some Halloween-themed snacks, turn off the lights, and see who gets spooked the most!
Walk around Collegetown in your costumes.
If you’re planning on going out to restaurants on Halloweekend, do it dressed up in your costumes. If people who usually wander around Collegetown at night do so in their costumes on Halloweekend, the spirit of Halloween will be felt by the people around them.
Zoom Games
Virtual social events have skyrocketed this semester, so a virtual event for Halloween would only be appropriate. I would suggest Jeopardy, Halloween trivia, and Skribblio with Halloween words. For those who don’t know, Skribblio is an online version of Pictionary, and you can come up with your own word bank for your group. Get your friends or campus organization together for a fun night in your rooms.
A Socially Distanced Pong Tournament
If you and your housemates have a pong table, pong is a classic game you can still play while social distancing. It’s 4 people, 6-8 feet apart, and a test of your hand-eye coordination.
Throw a Flaming Pumpkin into the Gorge
Did you have the chance to snag a pumpkin from the Indian Creek farm or from the Arts Quad on our Wednesday off? If so, light it on fire the night of Halloween and chuck it down Fall Creek Gorge. It’s on the Cornell Daily Sun’s list of 161 things every Cornellian should do.
Chill Outside in your Costumes and Bump Music
Chilling on the lawns at night while bumping music has become popular this semester. As long as you’re doing so in groups of less than ten and are socially distanced, go ahead! Whether it’s the Appel lawn, Arts Quad, the slope, or other grassy areas, go out and chill in your costumes, and maybe host an impromptu dance party. Need suggestions for music to bump? Check out @slopemedia on Spotify for the Halloween playlist that the Slope music team put together!
Frisbee/Football at Night on the Arts Quad In Your Costumes with Glowsticks
Pretty self-explanatory. Again, keep it to groups of 10 or less, while social distancing.
Make a TikTok in Your Costumes
Film a TikTok or music video of you (or with your friends) dancing in (or transitioning into) your costumes. That way you can show the online world how you and your friend group are celebrating and spread joy.
A Volleyball Match in your Costumes
Dress up and hit up the volleyball court next to Dickson Hall on North Campus! This will be especially entertaining if any of you or the people you are with are dressing in inflatable costumes this year.
Deliver Goodies
If you’re part of a campus organization, consider delivering prepackaged goodie bags to your org/club members! I would suggest baked goods, as long as your members are comfortable with that and you check for allergies/restrictions first. Assorted candy is also a good option.
Prank your RA or floormate by putting up cobwebs all over their door frame.
Need I say more?
