Every Halloween season, UVA brings students and community members together for several days of frightful festivities all around Grounds. From costume contests to good ol’ trick-or-treating, there are plenty of activities so that everyone can participate. This guide highlights the many ways to partake in the spirited celebration of Halloween and engage in everything the University has to offer. Here’s a look at the events lined up that promise an engaging Halloweekend experience.
In the weeks leading up to Halloween, a few events have already taken place, providing a glimpse into what is ahead. These have included Puppies and Pumpkins, where students got to spend time with dogs and decorate pumpkins, and Bears and Scares, which caused a long line going out of Newcomb Hall for those seeking stuffed bears.
On the big night itself, Halloween from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M, there will be the annual Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn. Families in and around Grounds are invited to participate in this classic Halloween activity and can walk around the Lawn collecting candy. The historic Lawn transforms into a bustling scene as crowds of costume-clad trick-or-treaters visit stations where clubs and organizations hand out sweet treats. Students who live on the Lawn also participate in the festivities, making Trick-or-Treating on the Lawn a treasured celebration for family-friendly fun, a UVA tradition cherished for decades by Charlottesville residents and students alike.
Another popular feature of Halloween at UVA is Brown Residential College’s Hauntings on the Hill, an annual haunted house fundraiser. All proceeds from Hauntings are given to a charity, with this year’s beneficiary being the Haven, a Charlottesville nonprofit dedicated to helping those experiencing homelessness. As an entirely student-led initiative, Hauntings offers a unique and imaginative twist on a standard haunted house because each room is designed and performed by students. Hauntings will run from 8:00 P.M until midnight on both November 1 and 2.
For those looking to show off some creativity, the University Programs Council (UPC) will hold the first “Hoo-lloween” costume contest on Wednesday from 5:00 to 6:00 P.M at the Amphitheater. Prizes will be presented in the form of money for first, second, and third place finishers in the contest. The winners will be determined by a panel of judges: Dean Jenkins, Ms. Kathy, and VP Bonner. In addition to the costume contest, there will be complimentary food and drinks to share. There will be a costume contest at the International Residential College on Wednesday at 6:00 P.M, for those who may miss the first one or just want another chance to compete. Both contests offer a chance to win prizes and show off Halloween attire.
UVA Arts presents “The Great Rotumpkin” in conjunction with the UPC, a multiple-day event that boasts a packed schedule at The Rotunda. The Great Rotumpkin brings together artistic and cultural engagement with fun refreshments. On Thursday, there will be Pumpkins and Polaroids from 7:30 to 10:00 P.M on the Lawn, featuring more do-it-yourself pumpkin-themed art and some Polaroid cameras to capture the moment. Friday has Dia De Los Muertos-themed crafts and snacks to teach about the Day of the Dead. This will take place again from 7:30 to 10:00 PM, though this time at the Rotunda. Finally, on Saturday, Candyland at the Rotunda from 7:00 to 11:00 P.M will have all sorts of international candy to enjoy.
For more cultural Halloweekend activities, the Chinese Student Association (CSA) has also collaborated with the UPC and planned a Full Moon Fest on Saturday from 12:00 to 2:00 P.M at the Newcomb Ballroom. There is a schedule of performances for the various skits and dances that will entertain those who attend, alongside the promise of some delicious free food offerings.
For movie lovers, the Virginia Film Festival will take place all weekend, with showings at various times and locations in Charlottesville. The Virginia Film Festival attracts thousands of people yearly to pick from a vast selection of films, ranging from both big pictures to small indie filmmakers. UVA students get one free ticket per day and can find showings close to Grounds for convenience.
As Halloween draws near, there are endless options to make the most out of the holiday. UVA has provided ample opportunities to be a part of the vibrant life on Grounds, with cultural celebrations and traditional fall activities, reflecting the diverse contributions made by all the student organizations that the University has to offer.
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