There is something magical about Halloweekend — and it isn’t just the Slytherins and Gryffindors roaming around. Arguably the most highly anticipated weekend of the year, Halloweekend provides students the opportunity to be whoever they want to be, night after night. Some say the weekend is overrated, but most students are already mourning the end of the celebration and looking forward to October 2018. UVA’s Halloweekend stands out from other more inferior weekends for 10 reasons:
1. You get to see which of your friends are the most creative.
“Wait! That’s such a clever idea. How’d you think of that?” Every year, it’s guaranteed you will see some of the most punny, pop-culture-oriented, and out-of-the-box costumes wandering the Corner. These are the moments you feel proud for attending UVA, where students transfer their book smarts to costume smarts.
2. Aaaaand you get to see which of your friends aren’t creative.
“Dude, I’ve seen like twelve of your costume running around tonight.” Every year, it’s also guaranteed you will see some of the most basic, repetitive costumes wandering the Corner. These are the aliens, the Where’s Waldos, the vampires, the zombies. In such cases, you simply shake your head and laugh — Halloweekend would not be the same without its staple characters.
3. You get to dress up with multiple friend groups.
“I have a costume with my apartment-mates, my wider friend group, my pledge class, my club, my sports team…” Halloweekend gives you the opportunity to spend time with all of the important people in your life. Nothing bonds you like a group costume.
4. Your last minute costumes are sometimes the best.
“We have to leave in 10 minutes. What should I be?” In the cases when even Amazon Prime can’t save the day, you are forced to be extremely resourceful. Often, the costumes students throw together just in the nick of time are their most creative.
5. You feel united with your fellow Hoos.
“Everyone is so lit!” Halloweekend is the one time a year when virtually all students go out. There is nothing more fun than seeing UVA come to life at night with everyone from your best friends to that kid in your Wednesday discussion section. Come one, come all.
6. Your problem isn’t what TO do, it’s what NOT to do.
“Well there’s five apartment pre-games we could go to, then a few house parties, then the date function, then those seven fraternity parties, and bars and late nights.” Unlike other weekends when there may seem like a lack of things to do, Halloweekend provides a surplus of things to do. There is never a dull moment.
7. You can go out every hour of the weekend without judgment.
“Let’s do Thursday night, Friday afternoon, Friday night, Saturday afternoon, Saturday night, and also Tuesday night.” Normally, students choose to sit one day or night out in favor of rest or homework. On Halloweekend, however, there ain’t no rest for the wicked.
8. Your calendar is usually mysteriously blank.
“Just took my exam and turned in my paper. Let the weekend begin!” Halloweekend falls in the magical time between fall break and Thanksgiving break. Most students have just completed all their midterms, leaving their weekend wide open for all that Halloween brings.
9. You make so many new friends by accident.
“Hey! I love your costume! What’s your name?” You don’t need to think twice about how to break the ice on Halloweekend. Whether you’re giving out compliments or asking for explanations, you are almost always interacting with new groups of people. You will find at least one picture with a stranger or an unknown number on your phone the next morning.
10. You get to witness Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn.
“That kid is SO cute!” At the end of Halloweekend, Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn takes place, bringing together UVA students with the greater Charlottesville community. Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn is one of UVA’s most prized traditions, and it is truly a treat each year.