Keep This Spooky Season a Safe Season
Carter Hubbard

COVID-cognizant ways to enjoy Halloween 

By Kristen Smith Young 

As with all observances and holidays since mid-March, Halloween or All Hallows Eve will look a lot different this year. One of the biggest differences? No gathering on Franklin Street. Per the Town of Chapel Hill: “Due to public health guidance concerning crowd gatherings, the annual Halloween-related closure of Franklin Street is cancelled.” If this means you’ll be getting together with friends elsewhere, please check out this advice from  the CDC to Orange County around how to celebrate safely.

Here are some COVID-smart ways you can have fun on October 31:

Find a costume—or just change up your hair—and always wear a mask. Since you were young, dressing up as someone or something different is probably one of the most fun aspects of Halloween. Even if you don’t get a costume, you can pick up something fun and unique at Rumors or Surplus Sids in Carrboro. Or just dye your hair a crazy color or get a funky haircut at one of our downtown salons and [barber]shops. All of them are taking the proper precautions. Whatever you decide to wear for Halloween, make sure you have a proper face covering.

Make your space spooky or carve a pumpkin. Even if you’re not host to trick-or-treaters (NC DHHS is strongly recommending alternative activities), it’s still fun to decorate your space. Hit up Target downtown for some themed decorations. Then pick up a pumpkin to carve. Both Camp Chestnut Ridge and Smith’s Family Fun Farm provide the pumpkin patch experience and Spring Haven Farm will let you pick your pumpkin and then carve it with a goat. Here are some UNC pumpkin stencils, too!

Learn the local legends. Transforming your space requires too much effort? Transport your mind to a scarier space by reading or listening to Carolina ghost stories or maybe taking a walk by our most famous haunted house, Gimghoul Castle. Living at home and curious about ghosts from other parts of the state? Check out Tar Heel Ghosts and Ghosts from the Coast from UNC Press.

What’s going on October thirty-one? Carolina football takes on the Virginia Cavaliers on Oct. 31, watch on ACC Network at 8 p.m. Whether you choose to watch the game at home or at a restaurant in downtown, make sure to cheer on our top-five ranked [!!!] team safely. Downtown has lots of options for takeout and outside dining until by 11 p.m. And while going door-to-door for candy is discouraged this year, if you’re craving something sweet go store-to-store, stopping at Cha House, Yogurt Pump, Ben & Jerry’s, Epilogue, Cold Stone Creamery, Insomnia Cookies, and Yaya Tea for a progressive dessert downtown.

Stay inside [your home or your car]. No shame in curling up with your favorite horror movie or watch our very own NC Zoo on NatGeo Wild. On Saturday evening, a student gaming group is hosting a board game night and CUAB is hosting a Halloween DJ party. Or stay inside your car at the new drive-in theatre for the 45th anniversary of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. Let’s do the time warp again! Here are some more resources for choosing your own adventure: 

No matter how you celebrate All Hallows Eve, remember to practice the three Ws and make sure you get your flu shot, because the prospect of a “twindemic” of flu and COVID-19 is probably the scariest outcome this season. Please stay safe and healthy this Halloween! 

For 21+ – Take home downtown drinks . You want to remember the evening’s activities and save Sunday for fun, not recovering from over-indulging. If you’re 21 or older and are enjoying adult beverages, alternate water and your drink. If you want to stock up for your at-home Halloween, order your beverage for curbside pickup or delivery:
Beer Study
Carolina Brewery
DB Sutton & Co. Wine Shop
Gizmo Brew Works
TOPO Distillery