At the end of August, as the days get longer and the temperature gets lower, many start getting into the chilly fall mood. From baking favorite pumpkin and cinnamon spice desserts to planning costumes, nobody wants to miss out on the atmosphere of it all. Halloween, which takes place on Oct. 31, has become a celebration of bonding and traditions. Despite Halloween originating from Pagan and Christian traditions, over time, it has become its own separate event where people from all walks of life come together to celebrate the spooky mood.

The biggest Halloween tradition is trick-or-treating, where kids in costumes walk around neighborhoods knocking on doors and asking for candy by saying, “trick-or-treat”. Countless Americans have memories of being young and buying or making a costume, then going out into the cold night with their families to knock on doors. Many people struggle to figure out what to do on Halloween when they get to the age where they feel they are too old to trick-or-treat.

#1- Visit a pumpkin patch

Starting with every mom’s favorite, pumpkin patches. These pastures are full of fun activities that can fill up any weekend. From picking out a big, nice, round pumpkin amongst rows and rows of orange gourds to getting lost in a corn maze,there is never a dull moment. Not to forget the wonders of apple bobbing and hay rides, pumpkin patches can keep you entertained for hours.

#2- Watch a movie

There are countless scary Halloween movies to watch, like John Carpenter’s “Halloween“ and William Peter Blatty’s “The Exorcist”. If you don’t like scary movies, there are also plenty of movie genres that set the Halloween mood. Without the blood, guts and ghosts such as Paul Beaubouef’s “Halloween town”, Michael McDowell and Tim Burton’s “The Night Before Christmas” and Mick Garris and David Kirschner’s “Hocus Pocus”. Comfortable pajamas, blankets, and pillows with your own mix of your favorite snacks and beverages are all aspects of an ideal night. Regardless of your genre preference, these fall classics make for the perfect setting for hosting a movie night. “I think watching a scary movie or watching a nostalgic movie from when we were kids, that’s always really fun,” says Libby McKenna, a sophomore at Ida B. Wells. Whatever you’re watching, if it’s a horror or comedy, movies with your friends and family are always a good time.

#3- Carve pumpkins

Many people carve their pumpkins during the whole month of October, but there is no reason why you can’t make your jack-o’-lantern on Halloween night. People may never admit it, but when they see a carved pumpkin proudly presented on a porch, they compare their own carving skills to it. A perfect chance to improve and impress your neighbors, carving pumpkins is a staple of every Halloween experience. 

#4- Visit or host a haunted house

For those who love the creepy and horrifying energy that comes with Halloween, strolling around a haunted house with monsters and zombies roaming around is an exhilarating way to celebrate the spooky day. Be careful where you step; a bony hand may just grab your leg if you’re not careful. Even for those who aren’t as big a fan of getting petrified, there are haunted houses with smaller scare factors so that everyone can have fun. “I really enjoy going with my friends, because one of them isn’t scared of anything, and I’m scared of everything. I enjoy getting scared, and I think that’s fun,” says Olivia Roach, a freshman at IBW

Wherever you decide to put it, hosting a haunted house in your neighborhood is a way to connect with your community while getting a kick out of scaring little kids. Some people go all out, with fog machines and glowing crystal balls; there are countless possibilities. Be sure to include candy, and every courageous kid in the neighborhood will be flocking to your haunted house, daring their friends to take a step inside. 

#5- Attend or host a party

Partying is something people do year-round, but during Halloween, you can live it up in a cute or creepy costume. You could find yourself singing karaoke, blasting “Somebody’s Watching Me” by Rockwell and playing games. From cauldrons full of punch and finger food that resembles severed body parts, there are almost always delicious snacks to sink your plastic vampire teeth into. Regardless of whether you’re hosting or finding a party to go to, it’s always good fun to party during Halloween. 

#6- Learn about Día de los Muertos

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Hispanic holiday closely tied to Halloween, sharing costumes and sweets. Día de los Muertos is about remembering friends and family who have passed, and celebrating their spirits coming to visit. It takes place on the first few days of November, and it’s a vibrant celebration full of colors, traditions, and good food. There are always events and plays you can visit to learn more and have a great time. 

#7- Volunteering at a Seasonal event

During the fall, organizations throwing events could always use an extra hand, and helping them out is a great way to meet new people and get volunteer hours. There are a few seasonal clothing and food drives around, but most don’t take place on Halloween night. Some recommendations are the Free Community Cider Press and Harvest Fest on Oct. 25 and Portland Fashion Week’s Annual Clothing Drive on Nov. 7. All proceeds go to charity and non-profit organizations. You could additionally volunteer at some of the year-round organizations, such as the Oregon Food Bank and Mainstream Portland

There are so many things you can do during Halloween. Never be afraid to try anything new, as one may never know how much they might enjoy something. Try to scare children, try to make it through a horror movie, maybe even learn about ways to celebrate those who have passed on.