With fall in full swing, one of the most festive times of the year is fast approaching! Soon the streets will be filled with skeletons, pumpkins and other spooky decorations! Celebrate the Halloween festivities at the events below hosted by a variety of on-campus organizations and University centers.

Harvest Festival (Oct. 20)

The Student Association of Syracuse University and SUNY ESF is hosting its annual Harvest Festival at the Women’s Building Field on Friday, Oct. 20, from 4-7 p.m. Join Student Association for pumpkin painting, lawn games, a clothing flea market and more exciting activities!

HalloQueen Ball (Oct. 21)

As part of Syracuse University’s celebration of LGBTQ History Month, the LGBTQ Resource Center is hosting the HalloQueen Ball! Join the party in the Schine Student Center from 10 p.m.-midnight to dance, hang out and wear your best costume. There will also be a costume competition with categories being judged by ballroom community members. You can register for the HalloQueen Ball and other LGBTQ Resource Center events through their Fall 2023 event registration form.

Tough Topic Tuesday: Culture or Costume? A Conversation on Cultural Appropriation (Oct. 24)

The Tough Topic Tuesday discussion series provides the University community with a chance to have constructive conversations about difficult or challenging subjects. With Halloween and its many costumes fast approaching, it’s important to talk about the ways costumes can cross boundaries and become appropriation of others’ cultures and customs. Join the discussion on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 3-4:30 p.m. at 804 University Ave., Room 115.

Mindfulness and Meditation: Pumpkin Painting (Oct. 26)

Join the Barnes Center at The Arch for a pumpkin painting activity that cultivates creativity and provides stress relief. Mindfulness and Meditation is a workshop series with various creative sessions that incorporate mindfulness and contemplative practices. You can register for Pumpkin Painting and other Mindfulness and Meditation sessions through the Wellness Portal.

Orange After Dark: Halloween Dance (Oct. 27)

Join Orange After Dark and The Renegade magazine for a SPOOKTACULAR Halloween Dance! The night will feature a costume contest, prizes and lots of dancing! Students are welcome to come in costume or come as they are. No tickets are needed, but a valid Syracuse University I.D. is required to attend. You can RSVP to the event on ‘Cuse Activities.

Late Night Ice: Halloween Party (Oct. 28)

Friday and Saturday nights at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion feature skating on both rinks and hit music all night long! The Oct. 28 Late Night Ice theme is Halloween Party – Costumes, Candy and Curling! Admission and skate rental is free for students. You can register for this special, spooky Late Night Ice through the Wellness Portal.

Halloween at Hendricks (Oct. 28)

Join Hendricks Chapel for trick-or-treating and spook-tacular music! The Hendricks Chapel Choir will sign a medley from “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” Setnor School of Music student organists will perform Bach’s famous “Toccata in D Minor” and the night will feature opera, musical theater arias and improvisations on ghostly themes! Costumes are encouraged, so swing by Hendricks on Saturday, Oct. 28, from 9-10 p.m. in your Halloween best to enjoy some spooky tunes.

Orange After Dark: Day of the Dead (Nov. 1)

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a celebration of life and death originating in Mexico and celebrated all over Latin America with colorful calaveras (skulls) and calacas (skeletons). Join Orange After Dark, Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. and the Mexican Student Association to learn more about Día de los Muertos! You can RSVP to this event on ‘Cuse Activities.

Written By Esteban Quiñones ’24, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications

Editorial Note:  At publication, the Orange After Dark: Day of the Dead event was scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28. The event has since been moved to Wednesday, Nov. 1.