Finally, autumn has arrived, and October is slowly coming to an end. For days (or maybe weeks in some cases) you will have seen Halloween costumes and decor at your local store, and posters all throughout Exeter promoting exciting Halloween events. Even if you are going home for Halloween this year (as it falls on Reading Week), you won’t be missing out on any of the fun! Here are 5 things you can do leading up to Halloween as an Exeter student:
1. Society Events
Societies are well aware that some students won’t be in Exeter during Reading Week. Thus, many of them choose to do their Halloween-themed events one or two weeks before the 31st of October. Check out your fav society’s Instagram or Fixr page and you will likely see them promoting fun socials that are sure to put you in a spooky mood! From movie nights (for the horror fans and Coraline lovers alike) and bowling to clubbing or pub quizzing, the choice is yours!
2. Give-it-a-Go Events
If you decide that society events maybe aren’t for you, or you want to join in on even more fun (who could blame you!), look no further than the Exeter Student Guild. Their Halloween-themed events, from going Pumpkin Picking to Carving Pumpkins to Movie Nights, are a great opportunity to meet new people without breaking the bank. And if you are on campus accommodation, it doesn’t end there! The Residence Life team also offer many cheap events to attend throughout October.
3. Costumes!
So maybe you have decided to attend a society event and are now in dire need of costumes for you and your friends. In said case, there are many options to choose from, even looking no further than High and Fore Street! For your typical Halloween costumes/masks, consider exploring the Halloween section of Sainsbury’s and Wilko or Fantasy World and Thomas Moore Toymaster if you want more options (they have more than just kids’ costumes!). If DIY outfits are more your thing, Charity and Vintage Shops such as Hospicare and Flamingos Vintage offer you the chance to find something truly unique, and often at a great price. Dress up as your favourite book / movie / TV show character! Let your imagination run free this October!
4. Try all the new seasonal flavours
You cannot enter autumn without being bombarded with Pumpkin spiced bobas and spookily decorated desserts. If you are as much of a foodie as I am, you will have stared at all those new fantastic options, waiting for the right moment to taste them. Well, why not meet up with your friends at one of the many lovely bakeries or cafe shops in the city centre, and enjoy some Halloween/autumn-themed food together! Don’t forget to check beforehand if they offer any special discounts for students; you might be happily surprised.
5. Explore all that Exeter has to offer
To be completely honest, there’s so many things you can do in Exeter, I couldn’t possibly mention them all in one short article. From the Cathedral Autumn Fair to watching a horror movie at the Vue/Odeon, there’s a lot going on this October. There are even some things available all year round that might look even more appealing this spooky season: why not take this as an opportunity to visit the Underground Passages or take part in the ‘Ghosts and Legends’ Red Coat Guided Tour? The possibilities are endless, so take Halloween by storm this spooky season!