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October 27, 2025, Filed Under: ESL, Social, UT, Weekend Attractions

Halloween

Happy Halloween

Scholarship Application: Spring 2026

  • Application available online HERE
  • Submission Deadline: Monday, November 10 at 5 p.m. 
  • Two (2) scholarships are typically awarded
  • Award will cover $2,600 towards intensive tuition for the Spring 2026 (15–week) session in either AEP or ELP.

Continuing Student Applications

  • For Spring 2026
  • Application available online HERE
  • We would love to see you again!

Halloween in the United States

French bulldog in ghost costume with pumpkinsHalloween, celebrated on October 31, has roots in ancient Celtic harvest festivals. It has long since evolved into a widely celebrated holiday focused on costumes, candy, and community fun. Children often dress up and go “trick-or-treating” in their neighborhoods, while adults host themed parties or decorate their homes with spooky motifs such as jack-o’-lanterns, ghosts, and skeletons. 
In Austin, the festive spirit extends beyond residential neighborhoods. Local businesses decorate storefronts, restaurants offer themed menus, and the city’s nightlife districts — especially Sixth Street — become hubs for elaborate costumes and lively gatherings.
On campus, departments and student organizations often host Halloween-themed movie nights, pumpkin carving contests, and social events; which create opportunities to celebrate in a more relaxed setting. 

ELC Halloween Social

  • Join your friends and classmates for a fun celebration of Halloween!
  • Friday, October 31
  • 3:45-5 p.m.
  • PAR 203

Ghosts and Goodies on Aldrich

  • Join Ghosts and Goodies on Aldrich for a fun and spooky event filled with candy, extra treats for the adults, and incredible raffle prizes!
  • Trick-or Treat at your favorite Mueller businesses with over 20+ participating locations, click on this link for updates
  • Come dressed in your best costume and be prepared for a ghoulishly good time
  • Friday, October 31
  • 5:30-8 p.m.
  • Aldrich St. Austin, TX 78723

The Haunted Trail in South Austin

Decorations from past years’ Haunted Trail (photo courtesy Jeremy Sexton)
  • Jeremy Sexton started decorating the trail by his south Austin house five Halloweens ago.
  • Now fondly called “Haunted Trail,” the decor has become a community tradition and continues to scale year after year.
  • “There’s no big budget, no sponsors — just creativity, teamwork, and a love for seeing kids light up when they step into another world,” Sexton said.
  • “Come for the candy, stay for the photo-op, and get lost in the Halloween spirit we’ve poured our hearts into. We hope everyone who walks the trail feels a little of that old-school Halloween wonder,” Sexton said.
  • The Haunted Trail will be open for two nights only
  • Friday, October 31 and Saturday, November 1
  • 8110 Mauai Dr. Austin TX 78749

Scream (Late Night Film Series)

  • Join E+E Films & Media for a movie showing of Scream. Doors open at 6:30 PM for the 8 PM showing. Synopsis: A masked killer targets a past victim’s daughter
  • Wednesday, October 29
  • 6:30-10 p.m.
  • Texas Union Theatre

A Hello Maker Studio Halloween

  • Are you looking for an accessible space to craft, code, and create?
  • At the newly opened Hello Maker Studio, you can learn how to 3D print, laser cut, sew, and more!
  • Stop by the Welch nucleus (WEL 2.132) on 10/30 for a tour and some Halloween-themed activities.
  • They will be making laser-cut keychains, 3D printed tchotchkes, and pins while supplies last.
  • Thursday, October 30
  • 10 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
  • Welch Hall (WEL), 2.132

Get into the spirit of Halloween:

Practice your English listening skills with these two spooky stories

UT professor Dr. Douglas Bruster reads “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe.

UT professor Dr. Thomas Garza read his translation of “The Family of a Vourdalak” by Aleksey Tolstoy.

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