In an attempt to revitalize the Carbondale spirit that once bewitched over 20,000 students to SIU, the city, the university and alumni have come together to collaborate on creating a consolidated Halloween atmosphere — kind of.
Over the summer, the SIU Alumni Association announced that — for the first time since 1996 — Carbondale will be shutting down the Strip during Halloween.
Advertisement
This “shutdown” of the Strip is being done in conjunction with SIU Homecoming, and has been marketed by the city and the university as “family-friendly, downtown fun” that includes a candy walk, carnival games, food trucks, live music and more. However, it would be credulous to ignore the subliminal messaging and the nuance that surrounds the raucous history that has defined both Carbondale’s Halloween and Homecoming.
It is no secret why Carbondale and SIU began to distance themselves from the “party school” label that magazines had placed upon it during the 1980s, and it’s no secret that many blame that very disassociation for the decline of both the Carbondale and SIU populations.
But times have changed, and so has the city — hats off to those involved with organizing these upcoming events for recognizing that — but like all organizing efforts, especially ones that set out to shake things up, with mass comes confusion.
Advertisement*
With all that’s going on throughout the rest of the month, people on social media this week have been expressing their concerns about when to celebrate, where to celebrate and who to celebrate Halloween with.
The short answer? Starting this Thursday, Oct. 16, put on your party pants, a Saluki hat and your favorite Halloween mask and don’t take them off until November.
What originally seemed to be an effort to concentrate Halloween into a one-time, weeklong ensemble with Homecoming has turned into three full weeks of festivities in Carbondale — and I’m not complaining.
As expected, SIU fraternities have announced that they will not be throwing any Unofficial Halloween parties this year, which one may think is the death of Unofficial in Carbondale — a defining product of those alcohol and business bans from back in the day — but that’s not exactly the case.
Carbondale bar owners have seized the opportunity to reclaim Unofficial for themselves, and will be hosting a slew of events downtown this upcoming weekend. The following week is when the Saluki Spooktacular Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival ensues — say that 10 times fast — and the frats will be throwing their parties the weekend after — on the actual day of Halloween — marking the official return of Official at SIU.
SO, amid all the confusion and concern, I have taken the liberty of compiling what I believe to be the most comprehensive guide to any and all things Halloween, homecoming, tricks, treats, spooks, spirits, or any other pumpkin-smashing hot-dog-having events for the next month in Carbondale.
You’re welcome.
Thursday, Oct. 16
The Pumpkin Glow at Green Earth’s Oakland Nature Preserve
This is a nighttime, jack-o’-lantern-lit hike through the Oakland Nature Preserve from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. There will be hayrides, live music and food. This is family friendly — for sure — and it’s happening on Friday Oct. 17 and Saturday Oct. 18 as well, but I’m not putting it on here three times.
Pop Queens of the 2000s at Hangar 9
The Hangar will be playing all the hits from the 2000s, including but not limited to: Britney Spears, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Avril Lavigne and Christina Aguilera.
Partygoers are encouraged to dress up as “your fav 2000s Diva/Icon” for a costume contest in which you can enter as a group or as an individual.
There will also be free temporary tattoos.
Doors open at 9 p.m. and admission is $5, but ladies get in free until 10 p.m. because I guess that’s when chivalry goes to sleep.
Booby’s Collage Club
This happens every Thursday at Booby’s at 6 p.m. The library brings a ton of free supplies to the Booby’s bar for people to make all kinds of arts and crafts — it’s really cool. Collage Club is followed by karaoke at 8:30 p.m.
Lucas Wayne and the Cottonmouths at PK’s
They start at 6 p.m. and if you haven’t seen them perform yet, I highly suggest it. These dudes rock.
Friday, Oct.17
Special Film Screening at The Varsity Center
The Varsity will be hosting myriad Halloween movies throughout the month of October and this week they are showing “Poltergeist.”
The doors open at 6 p.m., but most importantly, so does the bar. General admission tickets are $8, $6 for students and $3 for any child younger than 10, but I’m sure they won’t ask for a birth certificate.
The show starts at 7 p.m.
Hangar 9 music and comedy
Snowbird Street Band will be playing in Hangar’s new beer garden from 5-7 p.m. After that, Garfield makes his return to Carbondale when Cyrian Mills and the gang perform Garfield Jailbreak.
This one-of-a-kind performance blends absurdist theater, original music and pure mayhem that has graced the Hangar stage for three years now.
Tickets are available online for $5, but will be available at the door for $7. A ticket purchase also includes admission to the post-performance Garfield Rave.
Bands at Booby’s
Atlantic Thrills, Dracula Johnson, King John and the Jesters will hit the stage starting at 9 p.m. for a night of what I can only assume will be some exciting sounds when paired with Garfield’s screams just down the street.
Unofficial Eve at Levels
It’s just a normal night at Levels but they’ll probably turn the lights orange or something.
Saturday, Oct. 18
Halloween Art Projects for Kids
Bring your child to Artspace 304 at 607 S. Illinois Ave from noon to 2 p.m. so they can show you how good they are at drawing because art is important and children should learn to express themselves through different mediums.
The Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race
A beloved fall tradition, the Great Carbondale Pumpkin Race is packed with fun, creativity and community spirit. Starting at 2 p.m., the afternoon will be full of rolling pumpkins, big laughs and friendly competition — all for a good cause. Entry is free, and the winner of the open races will take home a $100 grand prize.
If you are for some reason a pumpkin racing pro, you can enter the Mayer Branding Grand Prix for just $10 and race for a $250 prize.
There will be a costume parade and plenty of pumpkin-smashing excitement courtesy of what they are calling the “Mallet-O-Justice,” which is pretty awesome.
This event will be held at the Mill Street Underpass, but if it rains, it will be moved to the Lakeland Center at 925 S. Giant City Road.
Proceeds from the race benefit the Science Center and SI Reads.
Special Film Screening at The Varsity Center
This time they are showing “Videodrome.” Ticket prices and showtimes are the same as Friday’s screening.
Una Noche de Travesuras at Hangar 9
That means “A night of mischief,” by the way.
The Hangar’s night of mischief will serve as this week’s Latin night, which has grown to be a staple of the new-look establishment.
The Hangar will be holding a costume contest with a $100 prize to the tune of various genres of Latin music like bachata, reggaeton and salsa.
Much like the Garfield Jailbreak, the tickets for Una Noche de Travesuras are available online for $5, but will cost $7 at the door. Once again, ladies get in free until 10 p.m., but after that, fork it up, honey.
Doors open at 8 p.m. and the event begins at 9 p.m.
Bands at Booby’s
Feral Vices, El Siren and Liar Liar are set to play at the venue starting at 9 p.m. If you lose the costume contest at Hangar, don’t be afraid to go check out Booby’s in your getup — you’ll fit right in.
Unofficial at Levels, Day 2
Same as usual, but this time you are encouraged to wear a costume.
Sunday, Oct. 19
Haunted Hollow 2025
This is Touch of Nature’s annual fall family fun festival — man, I love alliteration.
This Halloween-themed event takes place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and consists of both spooky and safe family-friendly activities. Costumes are encouraged, and the event will happen rain or shine, so dress for the weather and bring your fall spirit.
Touch of Nature is wheelchair- and stroller-accessible, and children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to participate, so if somehow a 12-year-old drives themself all the way to Touch of Nature, it will have been for nothing.
Monday, Oct. 20
Homecoming Kickoff
This is when you can officially start to chew the mouthful that is the Saluki Spooktacular Halloween Homecoming Music Street Festival.
The big kickoff and pep rally is what launches homecoming week, and is set for 4:30 p.m. at Faner Plaza.
It’s an “enhanced version” of a traditional pep rally, offering inspiring guest speakers, the homecoming court announcement, free food, a live DJ and the signing of the homecoming proclamation at 5 p.m.
Students can also claim exclusive 2025 Homecoming T-shirts.
Tuesday, Oct. 21
The Spooky Saluki Crawl
What a name.
This new student-only event goes from 6-9 p.m.at the Student Center’s Ballroom D and International Lounge and features a fun night of classic board and card games, a mini-haunted house, a DJ, karaoke, pumpkin carving/painting, Student Programming Council-designed mocktails, prizes and more.
RSO Karaoke Cup at Hangar 9
Of all the really cool events in this catalog, this is probably the coolest.
This will be Week 3 of the karaoke tournament that the Daily Egyptian is hosting at the Hangar, and you won’t want to miss it. Weeks 1 and 2 were a blast and Week 3 is featuring performances from Alpha Gamma, Farmhouse, Criminal Justice, Spanish Club, Sigma Tau Delta, Southern Illinois Dance Company and American Association of Airport Executives.
To get the full details on the RSO Karaoke Cup, click here.
Please come. It’s free. It starts at 10 p.m. I’ll be there.
Wednesday, Oct. 22
2025 Homecoming Concert
Mariah the Scientist is headlining and bringing her eclectic soulful rhythm and blues sound to the Shryock Auditorium stage.
The doors open at 6 p.m., and the show starts with BabyChiefDolt at 7 p.m. followed by Mariah at 8 p.m.
Tickets for the concert are on sale via EventBrite. Pricing is $25 for balcony level, $45 for floor seats and $75 for the pit level; a nominal handling fee will be added.
CPKD Presents: Halloween Movie Night
The Carbondale Park District is hosting a screening of “Practical Magic” at Parrish Park at 6:30 p.m.
Bring blankets, lawn chairs and your favorite fall snacks to watch this classic film on a giant outdoor movie screen.
Togas at Hangar 9
The Hangar is hosting a Greek night where people are encouraged to wear togas and traditional Greek attire. The sorority or fraternity that brings the most members to the event will win a cash prize.
The party starts at 9 p.m. and the cover is $5.
Country Night at Traxx
If someone does some sort of gothic cowboy, headless horseman type of costume, that would be sick — other than that it’s just another Country Night at Traxx.
Trivia at PK’s
Come see host Alee Quick — our Faculty Managing Editor at the Daily Egyptian!
Thursday, Oct. 23
The Saluki Block Party
This party is not on a block, rather at Shyrock, and it starts at 5 p.m.
This free festival is open to people of all ages who will come together for outdoor games, rock wall climbing, inflatables, caricature artists and assorted “spooky” activities. Food vendors will be on site offering refreshments.
To ensure the public’s safety and enjoyment for all, a few rules will be in place: pets, solicitation, smoking, glass bottles, underage drinking and multiple-serve containers are prohibited.
Country Night at Hangar 9
Yes, they do that now, too.
Hosted by DJ Twangbro — lol — this is free to enter with a best-dressed cowboy contest and a “loudest yeehaw competition” (@Will Elliott).
They have $2 house shots and $8 rail pitchers. The party starts at 9 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24
The Strip Shuts down
OK folks, this is the big day.
The Strip will be shut down at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. is when the fun begins.
Bring your little ghost, goblin, gremlin or ghoul to get some candy from businesses on the Strip from 3-6 p.m. for the Candy Walk.
During the walk, Carbondale’s very own Modern Day Saints, Tawl Paul and others will be jamming on the Parking Lot Stage from 3:50-4:50 p.m.
From 5:20-6:20 p.m., Chicago funk-rockers Hot Like Mars will take over the Parking Lot Stage and then the music acts will shift to the Main Stage — yes, there are two different stages.
From 6:30-8 p.m. on the Main Stage will be DeadPettyKellerGrass, a genre-bending project that reworks Grateful Dead and Tom Petty classics with bluegrass instrumentation.
Then comes the headliner, St. Louis-based ska-punk-alt-rock group The Urge, known for their 1990s hits like “Jump Right In.”
Now I know these groups may not be that appealing to most of us college-aged folks, but we must remember that this was put on by the Alumni Association, and they were the ones doing all that partying way back when, so I’m sure these guys will be great.
Lining the streets of the Strip will be food trucks, vendors and carnival games. Bars will be open all throughout the evening and will begin offering entertainment toward the end of the festival.
PK’s Performance
King Juba will play music inside PK’s at 9 p.m. Notice how I said “inside” PK’s, because they can’t play music outside anymore and there’s nowhere to sit.
Official Homecoming Afterparty at Hangar 9
The Hangar will be hosting the official homecoming afterparty right after The Urge stops their set on the Main Stage.
The Number 9 Blacktops will perform their rockabilly and Americana music on the Hangar’s indoor platform stage starting around 11 p.m.
The cover is $5.
Bands at Booby’s
Dr. Orphylis Project, Spillway and glass cutter will perform for no cover starting at 10 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 25
SIU Homecoming Parade
The annual trot through Carbondale will feature marching bands, floats, marchers and much more. It begins at East Mill Street at 10 a.m. and travels down Illinois Avenue onto campus.
Parade entries are being accepted until 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 22. High school and junior high bands as well as small and large floats, cars/trucks and walking equestrian units are welcome to compete for prizes as they entertain the crowd.
SIU Football takes on Northern Iowa
Following the parade, tailgating fun will be happening on Saluki Row from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Afterward, the Salukis will pummel the Panthers.
Tickets for the game can be purchased at the Banterra Center ticket office, on the Saluki Athletics website or at the gate. Crowning of the Homecoming royalty, chosen by the students through online voting during the week, will happen at halftime along with the announcement of the parade winners and an honoring of the grand marshal.
Go Dawgs.
Arts n Crap’s Carnival
The Thrift Shop at 215 N. Illinois Ave. will host a free community event showcasing local artisans, vendors, music, entertainment, food trucks and activities held in an outdoors-carnival style starting at 10 a.m.
Pumpkin Mosaics
Project Human X at 715 S. University Ave. will host a class that teaches you the basics of creating mosaics. They will supply you with everything you need, and will be there every step of the way to help you create a personalized work of art from 1 to 4 p.m.
House Show at Lost Cross
If you haven’t been, you’ve gotta go. Lost Cross is known nationwide as one of if not THE longest standing punk-house in America.
They’ll have bands Norcos y Horchata, Spillway, Burgers Gone Wild and Enchanters playing starting at 10 p.m.
The cover is $5.
Halloween Drag Show at Hangar 9
Modern Day Saints will play once again, this time at Hangar after the game, followed by a Halloween Drag Show and another costume contest.
The cover is $7 and doors open at 8 p.m.
Tawl Paul at PK’s
PK’s will be open all day long during game day, and will cap off the night with a performance from the legendary Tawl Paul and Slappin Henry Blue at 8 p.m.
I have no idea how I’m going to make it to all of these places at the same time.
Sunday, Oct. 26
Wyly Bigger at PK’s
They’ll be playing Memphis-style rock ‘n; roll blues from 5-8 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 27
Nothing. Thank the lords. Go recover and study.
Tuesday, Oct. 28
RSO Karaoke Cup at Hangar 9
Plz come.
Wednesday, Oct. 29
Country Night at Traxx
Halloween-themed Trivia at PK’s
Thursday, Oct. 30
Special Film Screening at The Varsity Center
It’s “The Exorcist.” Do not bring your child.
Country Night at Hangar 9
Friday, Oct. 31
OK, so this is actually Halloween. The frats will be throwing OFFICIAL Halloween parties and children dressed up as Sabrina Carpenter WILL be knocking on your door.
Per a press release from the City of Carbondale, official trick-or-treat hours are from 4–8 p.m. If any of those kids knock at 8:01, you are not obligated to give them candy.
Residents who wish to hand out candy should leave their porch or driveway lights on.
Trick-or-treaters are encouraged to wear reflective clothing or tape, and guardians should check candy for safety.
Volunteers are welcome for the Pumpkin Patrol, which helps ensure a safe Halloween night. To volunteer, contact Randy Mathis at the Carbondale Police Department at 618-457-3200 ext. 402 or via email at [email protected].
Special Film Screening at The Varsity Center
It’s “Halloween.” The movie. Afterward they are showing the “Rocky Horror Picture Show” at midnight.
Emo Night at Hangar 9
A classic event in Carbondale. They’ll play all the punk-rock emo songs, encourage dark, edgy getups and host — another — costume contest.
Bands at PK’s
Local bands Creeper Bud, Ultrasex and Pet Mosquito will take the stage — inside — for a Halloween jam session.
Saturday, Nov. 1
The frats will probably throw more parties, and all the bars will be open, but if at this point your liver tells you to stay home, I won’t blame you.
Advertisement
