Halloweekend brings crowds, costumes and chaos to Waterloo.
Halloween is one of the most exciting times of the year at Wilfrid Laurier University. It is a highly celebrated holiday in the area. It’s a special holiday for students, bringing them together to celebrate the spirit of Halloween during the stress of midterm season. It offers a much-needed break from academics and a chance to spend time with friends.
Kitchener-Waterloo is known for its thriving nightlife, with numerous clubs and bars drawing students out most weekends. Popular hotspots such as Phil’s, RARE NIGHTCLUB & EVENTS CENTRE and Dallas Night Club are among the busiest destinations, being packed with students most weekends. However, during Halloweekend, the usual weekend nightlife takes on an entirely different atmosphere.
This year, from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1, partygoers flooded the streets of KW, eager to celebrate Halloween alongside their peers. The spirit of the holiday was everywhere, with hundreds of people arriving in a wide variety of costumes, ready to party the night away. From elaborate group costumes to last-minute outfits, the streets became a runway of creativity and Halloween spirit.
Anticipating a notoriously rowdy weekend, several local venues hosted early-bird ticket sales, giving students the opportunity to secure their spot ahead of time. Despite these efforts, crowds remained packed, with lines stretching for hundreds of customers. By 10 p.m., wait times could reach an hour or more depending on the location. Inside, clubs were packed to capacity, with costumed partygoers squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder as they danced and celebrated throughout the night. The celebrations extended throughout the weekend, with some of the largest crowds gathering outside local bars and clubs.
The energy was at its peak on Oct. 30th. Halloween fell on a Saturday this year, and the streets were filled with people dressing up as their favourite characters, celebrities, and the many iconic costumes we’ve grown to expect from Halloween.
For those less interested in the nightlife scene, there are plenty of other ways to celebrate Halloween. House parties remain a popular alternative, offering the chance to let loose and enjoy the holiday with a smaller group of friends. Houses are decked out in spooky decorations, punch bowls are filled with spirits and Michael Jackson’s hit song “Thriller” inevitably finds its way onto every party playlist. These smaller gatherings provided a more relaxed alternative to the busy club scene while allowing students to take part in the festivities. Alternating from the club to a more private event can be a great way to balance your energy for the holiday.
Halloween is an excellent time for students to express themselves. Costumes span from do-it-yourself to last-minute Spirit Halloween purchases. This Halloween, Spider-Man was the most popular costume of the year.
By Monday morning, however, the excitement of the weekend has faded. The streets are quiet, with gutters filled with bottles and vapes, discarded costume pieces and garbage left behind by hundreds of partygoers.
Despite the weekend’s aftermath, the Laurier community continues to embrace its reputation for celebrating. Holidays such as Homecoming, Halloween and St. Patrick’s Day remain a staple of student life in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
Contributed photos by Clara Rose
