If you are from Tallahassee, and honestly even if you’re not, you’ve likely heard the term “Talloween.” Talloween refers to the weekend of events on or before Halloween in the Tallahassee area. College students from all over Florida travel to Tallahassee during this period to attend the parties, clubs, and crazy antics that occur right here at FSU.
What happens if you don’t really like the party scene? If the thought of going out and having to face the next day makes you squeamish? Well, if you’re a nostalgic person like me and prefer the simpler times of trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, and watching horror movies, look no further. I am going to give you the Tally guide to at-home Halloween.
Trick-or-treating with a twist
Halloween is filled with happy memories from my childhood. Given I can’t go door to door asking for candy anymore (if I tried the cops may be called), I still need to get my candy fix somehow. I always said I would be the adult to give out the full-size candy bars, so throughout my teen years I practiced on myself. I either buy a bunch of candy for my friends and me, or we all bring multiples of one type of candy and share them between all of us. Everyone I know has a massive sweet tooth, so we also take this time as an opportunity to bake all kinds of sweet treats we find on Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok. A personal favorite I have found is chocolate bark and pumpkin spice cupcakes. Baking and sharing all these sweet treats can also be turned into a game or movie night to really get into the Halloween spirit.
Halloween movies
Probably my favorite thing to do all of October is watch classic Halloween and horror movies. The Nightmare Before Christmas, Beetlejuice, and Scream are just some of my favorites that are played this time of year. You can either watch the movies that fit your mood for the day or follow along on Freeform. Freeform provides 31 Nights of Halloween, meaning they play a different Halloween movie each night to keep the spirit alive all month.
Haunted attractions
A big chunk of Halloween is the scare factor, the haunted houses, hayrides, and corn mazes. Well, look no further because Tallahassee has options for thrill-seekers and those who prefer to not be scared out of their minds. One of my favorites is a little bit of a drive but worth it in the end. About 40 minutes away in Springhill Farms is an event called Oktoberfest where you can find a corn maze, pumpkin patch, axe throwing, horseback riding, and so much more.
There are also local haunted houses. The one most known is Terror of Tallahassee, where for $25 you are put in what they claim to be a dupe for Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and terrified beyond belief as you attempt your way through their haunted attractions.
pumpkin patch
October means pumpkin everything, whether it be pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin-scented candles, or even pumpkin pie. Everyone seems to forget about pumpkin carving though. In Tallahassee, there are multiple pumpkin patches where you can take cute photos with friends (or by yourself) and pick out a pumpkin to carve. Although messy, struggling to get the perfect spooky face shape and the innards removed has led to some very fond memories. You can even use the inner pumpkin guts to make some awesome treats like pie or muffins. Some local spots that have these patches are churches, some CVS pharmacies, and Walgreens as well.
costumes
When most people go out during Talloween weekend, they not only want to party but to show off their clever and customized costumes. If you don’t want the FOMO but don’t necessarily want to go out, there are still several options for you. All around Tallahassee are costume contests at local bars, restaurants, and of course, the clubs. You don’t have to go out every night, but if you choose the right club on the right night, you may win a half-decent prize from your costume. You can also just dress up with a group of friends and take photos at local shops or any of the places I mentioned earlier to get in the spirit.
In the end, Talloween doesn’t have to fit a specific mold. You can have fun no matter what route you take. I can’t wait to see what people do this year. Happy Talloween!
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