Every October, a familiar debate haunts Villanova’s campus: when should Halloweekend be celebrated? While some argue for celebrating the weekend before Halloween, citing convenience and Villanova’s Special Olympics (SpO) event on the following weekend, this early celebration risks draining the night of its magic. Halloween isn’t meant to be shoved forward on the calendar. It’s a one-of-a-kind event steeped in mystery, costumes and a magical, electric thrill that belongs only on Halloween night and the weekend that follows.

Halloween isn’t just another holiday to check off. It’s the culmination of an entire season of anticipation. For weeks, students pick costumes, make plans and embrace the spooky spirit. By Oct. 31, that excitement has brewed to a boiling point, and there’s an undeniable energy to Halloween night that the weekend before simply can’t match. 

“If Halloween is closer to the weekend, it makes more sense to do it that weekend instead of a week before,” sophomore Ally Lombardo said.

Forcing Halloween festivities into an earlier slot not only feels off, but it also dilutes the experience. Halloween is meant to be celebrated when it’s in full swing, not as an afterthought to convenience.

Sure, some students see value in stretching the holiday across two weekends, especially with Halloween falling on a Thursday.

“With Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, I’m celebrating the weekend before and on Halloween itself,” junior Elisabeth Roche said.

For those who celebrate twice, it’s an attempt to balance early convenience with Halloween tradition. Yet even for those doubling up, there’s no denying that the weekend after Oct. 31 has the truest Halloween energy. Splitting the celebration robs it of the singular anticipation that builds up to the season’s peak on Halloween night.

There’s also a fear that SpO responsibilities may interfere with Halloweekend plans, but this has always been part of Villanova’s community spirit. Those who truly want to enjoy both will find a way to strike that balance. Halloween isn’t just any holiday to be hastily rescheduled. It’s a night to savor, and trying to cram it in on a weekend early disrupts what makes it special in the first place. Halloween night and the weekend after provide a full experience that honors both Halloween and Villanova’s SpO commitment.

And let’s be real: Halloweekend isn’t just about putting on a costume. It’s a whole weekend of thrill, of ghostly energy and of letting loose in a unique, seasonal atmosphere. Why water that down by celebrating early? Halloween deserves to be celebrated at the height of the season when excitement and anticipation are at their peak.

At Villanova, Halloween has always brought students together, creating a rare opportunity to fully relax and enjoy the season’s spirit. The weekend after Oct. 31 offers the ideal time for Villanovans to experience the holiday vibe in its entirety, balancing Halloween traditions with SpO commitments. It’s not an “either-or” situation. Halloween can be fully celebrated on its own weekend without compromising other commitments.

Halloween is best enjoyed the way it’s meant to be: on Halloween night, followed by a Friday and Saturday of celebration. There’s a reason this holiday has always held a sense of mystery, excitement and thrill that can’t be replicated a weekend early. Villanova should honor the true spirit of Halloween by celebrating on Halloween night and the following weekend—three days to revel in the season’s magic without diluting or rushing it.

So let’s keep Halloweekend where it belongs, saving the full celebration for the weekend after Halloween. The thrill, mystery and energy of Halloween night deserve to be honored, not hurried.