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Around Campus

Happy Heeloween

Carolina will host various events throughout the week to help Tar Heels celebrate Halloween safely.

Three pumpkins with UNC carved in them.
Carved pumpkins at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Whether Carolina students find themselves on campus, near campus or far-flung this Halloween, participating in this annual tradition that means so much to campus is definitely going to be different this year. But a COVID Halloween doesn’t have to be all tricks and no treats. Tar Heels can still enjoy a fun HEEL-o-ween with many ghoulish activities, spooky ideas and tips to haunt safely.

One of the biggest differences this Halloween? No gathering on Franklin Street to show off costumes this year. Per the Town of Chapel Hill: “Due to public health guidance concerning crowd gatherings, the annual Halloween-related closure of Franklin Street is canceled.” But for Carolina students who are in the area, Visit Chapel Hill will turn their “Boo!” to a cheer with great ideas for spooky fun and yummy treats downtown and beyond this Oct. 31.

For Tar Heels near and far, the Carolina Union Activities Board has planned thrills and chills all week long with their Halloween Carnival. The week’s events include an escape room and a murder mystery party and culminate in a live Halloween night DJ party, co-hosted by the Graduate and Professional Student Association. View a list of CUAB’s Halloween events.

More details about all CUAB events can be found on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Students can choose from a number of other virtual Halloween events, including a “Clue” watch party, hosted by University Libraries, and a Halloween-themed trivia night, hosted by the Asian American Students Association. More spooky happenings are posted at HeelLife.unc.edu. 

For local students who want to get active outdoors or those who want to join a virtual fitness class from the comfort of home, Campus Rec is offering a series of online and Pop-Up Outdoor activities to get the heart pumping, and costumes are always encouraged. Learn more at CampusRec.unc.edu.

Carolina Housing is offering a frightful selection of events to keep those students who remain in residence halls busy over Halloween week. Residents can choose among such activities as Boo Bingo or a virtual Costume Showing and Crafting event. Learn more at Housing.unc.edu

Whether students are attending one of the many virtual events Carolina has to offer, grabbing takeout, or hitting a haunted forest with their bubble, Healthy Heels reminds everyone that it’s important to think of potential risks for both COVID-19 and substance use safety this Halloween.

Among their tips to guide students to a safe Heel0ween, they say it is important to make a Halloween plan: students are encouraged to decide in advance what activities they are comfortable with, who their Halloween buddies are, and how they are going to celebrate and get home safely.

Read more Halloween tips and tricks at the Healthy Heels Blog