It’s that time of year again, the time for all that Halloween on a college campus entails: risqué costumes, hoards of candy and an abundance of blood and gore. With Halloween on a Wednesday this year, the question remains, “What is there to do in Tucson to celebrate?” Well no matter what your idea of a ghastly gathering may be, there’s something for you.
Nightfall
When: September 28 – October 28
Hours: 6 p.m. – 10 p.m./12 a.m.; check the website for details
Admission: $25
Get ready to lose your voice, because Nightfall at Old Tucson will be one of the scariest haunts you’ll ever come across. Without giving too much away, the entire Town Square is turned into various, outrageous sets that will have the manliest of men running away. Clowns, chainsaws, ghosts, creepy music; you name it, it’ll be there waiting for you.
The SlaughterHouse
When: October 25 – 28; 31
Hours: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m./12 a.m.; check the website for details
Admission: $7
Bring a buddy, a pal or even a whole slew of people to the SlaughterHouse, because you’ll definitely need to hold someone’s hand. Zombies, clowns, butchers and ghosts, oh my. These are some of the most frightening haunts not only in Tucson, but in the country. The SlaughterHouse has four haunts this year that range all the way from moderately scary to “you’ll have nightmares for a week” extreme.
Yuma’s Haunted Dungeon
When: October 25-26
Hours: 8 p.m. – 12 a.m.
Admission: Donations for the Tucson Food Bank and/or school supplies for Jumpstart
A tradition here at the UA, Yuma Residence Hall puts on a program called the “Haunted Dungeon” every Halloween. Each year the hall council picks a theme and decorates the building like professionals. This year’s theme is Midnight at the Carnival. If you’re living on campus without a car, it’s a great way to get into the Halloween spirit without going too far.
Hogg-o-ween
When: October 26
Hours: 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Admission: Free
Another campus friendly alternative to celebrate Halloween, Hogg-o-ween, has been a tradition for the Hopi and Graham-Greenlee Residence Hall council for years now. It’s a great way to meet other students living on campus while also being able to rock your awesome Halloween costume. Every year there is a costume contest, plenty of food as well as music and dancing.
All Souls Procession Weekend
When: November 2 – 4
Hours: Varies each day
Admission: Varies per event
You aren’t officially a Tucson resident until you’ve experienced All Souls Procession. There are events going on throughout the entire weekend, but the All Souls Procession celebrating Dia de los Muertos is one that can’t be missed. The extravagant colors in the artwork and costumes that spill from the sidewalk into the street, as well as the music and food on Fourth Avenue, are like nothing you’ve experienced to date. It’s busy and loud and it takes all of your senses at once to be able to decipher what’s going on — but it’s worth checking out for sure.
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