Spooky Season at Pacific
Photo by Unsplash
How Halloween turned the Tiger community into a festival of fright and fun
Halloween might officially be over, but the excitement still echoes throughout the University of the Pacific. As students turn their calendars to November and pack away their costumes, the campus continues to buzz from one of the most spirited weekends of the year, a celebration of creativity, community, and good scares.
Throughout October, Pacific slowly transformed. Doorways filled with spider webs, pumpkins lined the walkways outside the DeRosa University Center (DUC), and flyers promoting spooky events covered bulletin boards. By the time Halloween weekend arrived, the campus was more than ready.
The celebration kicked off with the highly anticipated Vintage Pop-Up on the DUC lawn, a beloved tradition that invites families from around Stockton to join in the fun. Vendors set up tables filled with fall treats and unique finds, while student organizations planned games and stations for trick-or-treaters. Kids arrived dressed as princesses, superheroes, witches, and movie characters, eager to explore campus and fill their buckets with candy.
“We love coming here every year,” said local parent Sandra Lopez, whose two children attended the event. “The students are always so friendly, and it feels like the whole university is celebrating with the community.”
For Pacific students, the night was just getting started. Costumes ranged from simple and sweet to elaborate and eerie. Walking to lunch could mean passing a giant inflatable dinosaur, a perfectly accurate Barbie, or someone covered head-to-toe in fake blood. The creativity was endless and contagious.
The College of the Pacific hosted its annual Halloween night filled with themed decorations, photo booths, and a lively costume contest. Students cheered one another on as everything from classic horror villains to pop-culture icons took the stage. Judges announced winners for categories like “Most Creative,” “Funniest,” and, of course, “Scariest Costume of the Night.”
Meanwhile, Greek life brought the thrills. Fraternities and sororities turned their houses into haunted attractions, leading students through jump scares, eerie lighting, and dramatic storytelling. Others kept things cozy with horror movie marathons, the perfect balance of adrenaline and relaxation. Whether students wanted screams or laughs, there was an event to match.
“It’s one of the times of year where everyone talks to everyone,” said sophomore Miguel Ramirez, who dressed up as a Ghostbusters character. “Even if you don’t know the person next to you, you compliment their costume. It brings the campus together in a fun way.”
Inside classrooms, many professors also embraced the holiday spirit with themed lectures, candy giveaways, and light-hearted discussions. Halloween was not just a night; it was a weeklong experience woven into academic and campus life.
For many students, especially first-year students, this Halloween marked their first on campus. It gave them memories that will stick long after the decorations come down.
Now, as students settle into November assignments and cooler weather, the countdown unofficially begins again. With less than 365 days until next Halloween, the plan already starts: Will next year’s costume be spooky or cute? Homemade or bought last-minute? Another classic icon or something completely wild?
One thing is certain: Halloween at University of the Pacific is more than a holiday. It is a tradition that sparks joy, creativity, and connection across campus and beyond. And when next October returns, the spirit of the season will rise again, stronger, louder, and just a bit spookier.