FSU Halloween is always a popular, multi-night event in Tallahassee. People flock from all over to stay with friends for what students call “Talloween.” However, this year (2026), Halloween fell on a Saturday when FSU had a home football game. Some people decided to go to the game, while others wanted to dive straight into the Talloween festivities. Here’s how I managed to do both and enjoy an eventful night!
The Game
Tailgaiting
The classic football game day experience is incomplete without tailgating. Students often socialize at sports bars or fraternities before the game while showing off their school spirit. I had friends visiting from out of town for Halloween, so I decided to tailgate with them before kickoff.
I struggled to decide whether to wear my Halloween costume. Ultimately, I opted for FSU’s signature garnet and gold instead and enjoyed spending time with my friends before the game.
FSU Vs. Clemson
Next up was the walk to Doak Campbell Stadium. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised by how packed the student section was and how many students were wearing costumes. Around half the crowd appeared dressed up while still showing their Seminole pride. To many students’ dismay, the game against ACC opponent Clemson University was scheduled for 7 p.m. rather than earlier in the day. However, that didn’t stop people from showing up and showing out.
The energy was electric. The Noles scored a touchdown in the first quarter but struggled to find much success against Clemson’s defense after that. Fans grew increasingly frustrated as quarterback Ashton Daniels threw two interceptions in the first half.
My favorite part of the game wasn’t the football itself; it was the Marching Chiefs’ halftime show. While the team may let us down, the Chiefs never will. They performed a spooky medley featuring “This Is Halloween,” “The Munsters,” “The Addams Family,” and Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
During “Thriller,” everyone on the field put down their instruments and batons for an epic dance break. For me, it was the highlight of the game.
Talloween Time
My friends and I decided to leave right after halftime to get ready for the night. We put on our costumes and took plenty of pictures. By that point, I had already received the ESPN alert that the Noles had lost 36-24.
For me, the process of getting ready and taking pictures is usually more fun than the event itself. I love bonding with my friends over creative fashion and photography. I dressed as Katniss Everdeen, complete with a bow and arrow, holster, corset, mockingjay pin, and side braid.
Many people spend Halloween deciding between house parties, fraternities, and friends’ apartments. I’m a sucker for live music, so I looked forward to any venue that featured a live band. After visiting a few different spots with my friends, the exhaustion started to kick in.
Luckily, the time change came in handy, giving us an extra hour between 1 a.m. and 2 a.m. Even so, two nights of going out in a row took a lot out of me. When I finally got home, I hit the hay right away!
The Aftermath
The next morning, it was definitely hard to get out of bed, but thankfully I was able to spend the rest of the day relaxing, catching up on shows, and enjoying a much-needed lazy Sunday. Many fans were happy when FSU Athletics announced the firing of head coach Mike Norvell on Sunday afternoon. Following the loss, the Seminoles fell to a 3-5 record and 1-4 in conference play.
Overall, I’d say it was a successful evening filled with friends and fun. Of course, the Good was the costumes, the Bad was the crowds of people who didn’t attend FSU, and the Ugly was the outcome of the football game. Until next time, Talloween!
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