Halloween is just around the corner, which means it’s time to plan.
If costumes have been finalized (and even if they have not), take a look through this guide of things to do this Halloween regardless of students’ transportation situations. From theme parks to trick-or-treating, there’s something for everyone to do.
HAVE A CAR?
For those lucky to have cars on campus, there are no limitations to what you can do for Halloween.
Every October, Universal Studios turns into a fright fest when the sun goes down and makes for a great night of screams with friends. If splurging for a night isn’t a wallet-breaker, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios is the perfect place to celebrate. Get spooked travelling through mazes and themes lands scattered throughout the park. Horror Nights is open tonight through Monday from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Tickets bought in advance can be $10 to $20 cheaper depending on the night, so keep that in mind when planning for the weekend. Tickets bought onsite cost $62.
Not interested in spending so much money? Enjoy the Halloween Harvest Festival at Pierce College. During the day visitors can take the time to pick a pumpkin and shed a little creativity by carving it. But once the sun sets, the festival opens its nighttime mazes. The mazes are uniquely spooky because they’re carved into a cornfield. Pierce College offers two options: the haunted maze and the non-haunted maze where visitors can get lost and try to maneuver their way back. Friday and Saturdays the Harvest Festival is open from 10 a.m. to midnight and Sunday through Thursday its open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The cost of a single maze is $12, but pay $25 and visitors get the chance to do three activities.
Drive into West Hollywood on Halloween night for a fun and free costume celebration. West Hollywood’s massive Halloween Carnival street festival takes place on Santa Monica Boulevard from Doheny Drive to La Cienega Boulevard. It’s a fun-filled night of costumes, live entertainment, food, and Halloween activities. And the best part is there is no entrance fee, but expect to pay for parking. Those willing to search might be lucky and find somewhere cheap.
DON’T HAVE A CAR?
For students with no access to a car, there are options for Halloween fun as well.
On Saturday, Pepperdine will hold Rocktoberfest in the Caf. This is the place to show off that well-made costume and enter the costume contest. For the less competitive, enjoy the haunted house, Halloween-inspired games and grab a few spooky treats to snack on. The event is free and begins at 8 p.m.
On Halloween night, take to the streets of Malibu in-costume and trick-or-treat at the surrounding neighborhoods. Malibu Country Estates make for prime territory to fill up empty pillowcases full of candy and show off costumes. There is no age cap on trick-or-treating, so cut up the cleanest white bed sheet and make a killer ghost costume or dig through the closet and throw something together.
For students who don’t want to make a costume, have a movie night with a group of friends. Pass out the popcorn and candy corn, turn off the lights, and play a scary movie. Check Payson Library to see if it has any good films. If not, try Netflix or raid a friend’s movie collection (with permission of course). Squeeze together on a couch and hope that nightmares don’t plague your dreams for the next few nights.
Remember, there are a million more things to do than what’s mentioned above. Don’t be afraid to search around online and ask around campus to see what others are doing for Halloween. And dressing up isn’t just for children, so have a fun, safe All Hallow’s Eve and celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year.
