Halloween on the Hill
Fall in New England is truly one of my favorite things. The air turns crisp, the leaves shift to deep maroon, gold, and scarlet, and campus comes alive — cheers echo from outdoor games, pathways fill with students heading to classes and club meetings, and the scent of pumpkin spice drifts from every café.
As October deepens, hints of Halloween begin to appear across the Hill. The front lawn of Gifford House — the University President’s residence — is the first to transform, decked out with pumpkins, cornstalks, and cobwebs. Soon, flyers featuring jack-o’-lanterns and ghosts pop up for club and campus events, and before long, Tufts is in full spooky-season mode.
To celebrate, Tufts offers a mix of community events, campus traditions, and festive fun. Here are a few highlights that make Halloween on the Hill so special:
Halloween on the Hill
A couple of weeks before the big day, the Leonard Carmichael Society — Tufts’ largest student-run community service organization — hosts Halloween on the Hill, inviting local families to campus for an afternoon of candy, crafts, and costumes. Student groups, sports teams, and even Jumbo join in to run activity booths and games. It’s a great study break for students and a joyful way to connect with our neighbors.
Community (and Student) Trick or Treating
On Halloween day, Tufts extends its community outreach with an off-campus trick-or-treating program. Upperclassmen living in nearby neighborhoods can register their homes to appear on a map of student houses welcoming local trick-or-treaters — candy supplied by Tufts! It’s a fun, easy way to get involved and see some creative costumes.
For students looking to get in on the trick-or-treating fun themselves, the Tufts University Social Collective (TUSC) hosts Tricks and Treats in the Mayer Campus Center earlier in the day, featuring a magician, candy stations, and all the Halloween spirit you could want.
Horrorfest
When the sun sets, students gather on the academic quad for Horrorfest, an outdoor screening of spooky short films created by Tufts students. Costumes are encouraged, and snacks are provided — the perfect way to cap off Halloween night.
Halloween Screeemfest Trip
Even after Halloween ends, the fun continues. On November 1st, TUSC organizes a trip to Canobie Lake Park’s Screeemfest, just 40 minutes from campus. Students can explore haunted houses, enjoy thrill rides, games, and delicious food and keep the Halloween spirit alive a little longer.
Pumpkining!
And finally — my favorite Tufts tradition: Pumpkining. In the days leading up to October 31st, mini pumpkins mysteriously appear in the most improbable spots — perched on rooftops, wedged into windowsills, skewered atop fences, or adorning campus landmarks like Bowen Gate or the Jumbo Statue. These mischievous pumpkins add both charm and mystery to campus, sparking smiles and speculation wherever they appear.
You can check out photos of this beloved tradition here: Tufts Daily Photo Gallery.
In short, Halloween at Tufts is a campus-wide celebration that brings together students, faculty, and the Medford/Somerville community — a perfect mix of fun, creativity, and fall spirit.