The Vanderbilt community is gearing up for a host of free Halloween-themed events and activities over the next few days. From an in-person movie event with free food trucks and giveaways, to a special fall-themed dinner, to a haunted tour of a campus landmark, to trivia, murder mystery and much more, there’s no shortage of opportunities for students to celebrate the holiday this year on campus or virtually while continuing to do their part to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Halloween Fest
Halloween Fest on Saturday, Oct. 31, at the David Williams II Recreation and Wellness Center’s Fieldhouse will offer a number of activities for undergraduate students, whether attending in person or virtually, including food and dessert trucks, movies, giveaways and more. The special, one-time-only, in-person event is being held to provide a safe, fun, on-campus option for undergraduate students to celebrate the holiday. Costumes are encouraged (but not required)!
The food truck dining options are free to students. Students will swipe their Vanderbilt ID cards but will not be charged for a meal at food trucks; students can use their cards at multiple trucks.
- The Califarmia food truck will be set up from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
- The Love Bus food truck will be set up from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
- The Mojo Cookie and Creamery food truck will be available from 8:30 to 11:30 p.m.
Movie showings will begin at 6 p.m.
- 6 p.m.: Ghostbusters, co-sponsored by the Student Alumni Board
- 7:50 p.m.: Raffle drawing
- 7:55 p.m.: The Witch (remote students can view the movie here)
- 9:30 p.m.: Raffle drawing
- 9:35 p.m.: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (remote students can view the movie here; if prompted, use the Client Number: 012768, and Password: vandy)
Students must wear masks, except for when eating or drinking, and remain physically distanced, even when eating, at all times during the event. Details about transportation options to and from the event are below.
It’s Fall Y’all Dinner + Here Come the Mummies ticket drawing
On Friday evening, Oct. 30, undergraduate students are invited to stop by the It’s Fall Y’all Dinner from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Alumni Lawn dining tent and the Wyatt Lawn dining tent. Vanderbilt ID card tap entry will be required to enter the event. Students who attend automatically will be entered in a giveaway to receive one of 100 tickets to the EXIT/IN Here Come the Mummies ‘WeenStream Virtual Show at 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31. Students who are studying remotely or who are unable to attend the Halloween events also can enter to win tickets. Follow @VanderbiltU on Instagram for details. Ticket links to the virtual show will be emailed to student giveaway winners.
Vaughn Home haunted tour
All students also can take a self-guided audio tour of the haunted Vaughn Home from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday night. No RSVPs are required; students must wear masks and remain physically distanced during the tour.
(Students studying remotely also can participate in the tour at 7:45 p.m. CT. Register now to receive a Zoom link for the tour; the link will be sent approximately one hour before the tour.)
The event is co-sponsored by the Robert Penn Warren Center for the Humanities.
Free desserts from SoSo Slush
The SoSo Slush food truck will be serving free desserts to undergraduate students from 8 to 11 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at 24th Avenue and Vanderbilt Place.
More spooky events this week
Virtual screenings of horror films, hosted by A24 at Vanderbilt
- The Lighthouse: Thursday, Oct. 29, at 7 p.m.
- Director’s cut of Midsommar: Friday, Oct. 30, at 3 p.m.
- RSVP using the links above to receive the invitation link for viewing
iChats: Spooky Season hosted by The Ingram Commons
8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, online
Free Fridays with Vanderbilt Programming Board’s Vandy Fanatics
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at the Alumni Lawn tent
Pumpkin Painting and Succulent Potting hosted by The Ingram Commons
5 to 9 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, at The Commons Center South Patio and Lawn
RSVP required
Trick-or-Trivia hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students
10 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30, online
Virtual Murder Mystery—A Night to Dismember hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students
7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, online
Hallowingo, hosted by the Office of the Dean of Students
11 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, online
Remote students can click on “Join Event Online” on the AnchorLink listings for the Office of the Dean of Students events. The event will go live at the designated time.
Halloween DIY
Looking for some fun Halloween DIYs in your spare time?
Download these Vanderbilt-themed pumpkin carving templates. Show us your designs by tagging @VanderbiltU on Instagram.
Looking for some art options? Download these Vanderbilt-themed coloring pages.
Halloween Fest transportation
Students can utilize the Gold VandyRide route to return to their residences after Halloween Fest. The pickup location closest to the event is located at the crosswalk at 25th Avenue South in front of Morgan/Lewis House directly across from the Recreation Center. The VandyRide shuttle will stop at Hank Ingram House, the Village at Vanderbilt Townhomes, the Vanderbilt Blair School of Music, Morgan House/Highland Quad and Sarratt/Rand. Students also can take the Black VandyRide route if returning to Blakemore House, Sarratt/Rand, Zeppos College, E. Bronson Ingram College, Hank Ingram House or the Village at Vanderbilt Townhomes. The pickup location closest to the event is located near the entrance of the 25th Avenue garage along Highland Avenue. The shuttles begin operating at 6 p.m. and end service at 1 a.m.
All passengers are required to wear face masks and to physically distance. All drivers are required to wear face masks and have their temperatures screened daily. COVID-19 sanitization kits are carried by all drivers. For more information, visit the VandyRide website.