Halloween is almost here, and so are exams, but that shouldn’t stop us from taking a break and enjoying this season! If you are new to this festival, here’s what Halloween is all about.
What is Halloween?
Halloween is celebrated each year on Oct. 31. The tradition originated with an ancient Celtic festival, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated Nov. 1 as All Saints Day and the evening before as All Hallows Eve, which we now call Halloween. Over time, Halloween has evolved to include activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o'-lanterns, festive gatherings and donning costumes. Read more about the festival here.
Note: Don’t forget to have fun with your costumes. Be aware that certain costumes are viewed as offensive, inappropriate and/or discriminatory to many different cultures/peoples, and as a result can cause harm to members of that community.
If you’re looking for things to do this Halloween, we’ve got you covered.
Check out some outdoor Halloween events
The Ghosts of the University of Toronto
Learn about the ghosts of the University of Toronto and the surrounding area. This 75-minute walking tour will have you shocked! Register now to save your spot.
Halloween Nights of Lights
Located in Scarborough, the Halloween Nights of Lights and Pumpkinville are thrilling, immersive walk-through Halloween experiences.
Serve custom Halloween treats at your house or dorm party!
If you need to take a break between midterms and deadlines but don’t want to be away for too long, don’t worry! We have just the right thing for you!
Get your friends together and enjoy a bit of culinary fun! Here are some simple, Halloween-inspired tasty recipes that will earn you massive brownie (or cupcake) points!
Spend time with yourself
If you don’t feel like socializing this Halloween, that’s totally fine too! Here are some books, movies and TV shows to keep you glued to your seat.
Your Halloween reading list:
- In the Dream House by Carmen Maria Machado
- Let Me Tell You: New Stories, Essays, and Other Writings by Shirley Jackson
- If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio
Must-watch movies:
If you have access to Netflix, here are some TV shows that are worth the horror!
- The Sandman - Season 1 (I’m rewatching this season in preparation for season 2. Beyond excited!)
- Wednesday
- Locke & Key
The Halloween Aesthetic
Bored with your usual aesthetic? Change things up this Halloween! Unsplash has some awesome (free) inspirations for Halloween aesthetics that will definitely spruce up your desktop background, desk and room décor.
Take a break, light a fall candle, make some hot chocolate, find that fluffy blanket and lose yourself in some Halloween fun! Don’t forget to set a reminder to get back to studying later!