Fall is just around the corner, so it’s never too early to start writing down heart-warming recipes and getting your home decorated and prepared for the season. TikTok users have been jumping on the “Summerween” party trend to celebrate Halloween in July. Instead of waiting until the temperatures drop to carve pumpkins and collect endless candy corn, why not consider adding Summerween to your end-of-summer activity list? The best part is, it’s a great excuse to celebrate the fun parts of Halloween without having to wear a costume (though if you love costumes, feel free to join in).
What exactly is Summerween?
The idea for Summerween originated from an episode of Disney Channel’s Gravity Falls, in which the residents of a mysterious town like to celebrate Halloween twice a year. As a result, young people have taken advantage of the Summerween craze and started planning Halloween parties in July, complete with coffin-shaped ice cream sandwiches, candy corn-flavored drinks, watermelon jack-o’-lanterns, and festive arts and crafts.
Summer Ween gives you the freedom to cherry-pick only the parts of Halloween you like and toss the rest (or save it for October). TikTok user @sheri_wilson_ shows you how to throw an authentic Summer Ween barbecue, including pumpkin and ghost-shaped cheese for burgers and pizza, and movie nights under the stars.
How to celebrate Summer Vienna at home
Besides being able to pick and choose your Halloween traditions, there are a few other reasons why Summerween is worth celebrating. First, the cool temperatures in October mean there’s little time to spend outside before heading home. Host a costume party or watch a horror movie in the backyard so your guests don’t have to bundle up and shiver outside for hours. Your guests will be more likely to participate, stay longer, and even consider throwing their own Summerween party. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Creepy orange punch
If you want a snack bar for your party, don’t forget the drinks too: have a punch bowl filled with orange soda, juice, or both alcoholic drinks to serve to all your guests.
Backyard cemetery (with tent)
Create the perfect evening by arranging some gravestones on your back lawn, setting up some tents, and building a campfire so you and your guests can sit out on the lawn and enjoy the spooky summer atmosphere.
Watermelon and pineapple pumpkin carvings
Pumpkins are harvested in the fall, so you’re unlikely to find a pumpkin to carve, so instead, use a fresh, delicious watermelon or pineapple for carving and eat the leftovers as party snacks.
Jack O’Lantern Pinata
Just because you can’t carve a pumpkin doesn’t mean you can’t decorate it. For a fun outdoor party game, fill an orange piñata with a variety of candies and top it off with mischievous eyes and a smiling face.
Summer Vienna Movie Night
End the night by watching a scary movie indoors or in the backyard with a projector. How about a graveyard movie night?
Festive snacks and drinks
TikTok user @j.xnah served “monster cookies,” melted ice cream ghosts, and coffin-shaped ice cream sandwiches at his Summerween party. You can also make Halloween finger foods (literally) using Frankenstein’s finger-shaped hot dogs, cut fruits and veggies into Halloween shapes to serve with dip, use Halloween-shaped macaroni noodles in pasta salad, or even make magical candy apples.
