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Somewhere between annual pumpkin spice season and the inability to wait until October for all things spooky, Summerween was born. Maybe it’s because your late twenties come with a newfound appreciation for creating your own traditions. Or maybe it’s because one season simply isn’t enough time to enjoy Halloween. Either way, there’s something about celebrating a spooky holiday in the middle of summer that seems perfectly right.
Whether Summerween is already an annual summer tradition or you’re looking for a creative excuse to get your friends together, it’s time to start planning a spook-tacular evening. Everything from hanging Jack-o-Lantern decor, pumpkin-shaped cookies, and festive drinks, all your ghoul-friends will love — we’ve got it all planned for you. Below, you’ll find the inspiration you need to host the ultimate Summerween party.
Now let’s dive into all the summerween ideas and get to party planning!
What is Summerween?
Summerween is exactly what it sounds like: a fictional summer holiday where people celebrate Halloween. It’s a fun excuse for Halloween lovers to carry the spooky season of Halloween midway through the year (if you just can’t wait for October to arrive).
The idea of Summerween originated from the Disney hit show, Gravity Falls. In the show, the residents of the town chose to celebrate Halloween twice a year.
As a result, people have taken the idea and run with it — hosting Summerween parties complete with Halloween treats and decorations, but with a summer twist.
@flashesofstyle Your sign to have a summerween party!!! 🍹👻🍉🎃 Couldn’t recommend more. Something about halloween aesthetic mixing with summer vibes is just the perfect combo. Little touches for your party: – Witch hat ring toss – Jackolantern cheeseburgers – Pumpkin cut outs on pizza (got this idea from @sheri_wilson_ !) – Orange soda ice cream floats – Pumpkin beach balls – Jackolantern piñata – Tiny little jackolantern umbrellas – Watermelon carving Happy Summerween y’all!!!! 🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃🎃 #halloweencountdown #halloweenvibes #summerween #halloweendecor #halloweenmood #halloweendecorations ♬ Hauntina Summerween – Hauntina
When do you celebrate Summerween?
The “unofficial-official” date of Summerween is June 22 — aligning with the date on Gravity Falls. However, feel free to celebrate any time this summer season, from June, July or August.
Summerween Party Decorations
1. Hanging Jack-O-Lantern Lanterns
One of my favorite Summerween decorations is so simple to do, and that’s hanging Jack-O-Lanterns from your trees. They immediately create a festive vibe for the party without spending a ton of money.
Don’t have trees to hang your lanterns from? Hang them from your patio or from your ceiling if you’re hosting the party indoors.
2. Halloween Pool Floats
Keep the party outside by hosting a pool party. Decorate your pool with some fun Halloween pool floats for your friends to enjoy. It’s an easy swap of your regular pool floats that will keep the party theme cohesive throughout.
Inflatable Eyeball
Inflatable Pumpkins
3. Skeletons Making S’mores
The skeletons have to make an appearance for your Summerween celebrations. I love the idea of setting them up in your backyard, roastingmarshmallows. How adorable!
4. Set a Summerween Table
Your table setting will set the scene for the party. In addition to the festive party food that will be on the table, you’ll want to set the table with a cute tablecloth, decorative serveware, candles, and more. Here are some of our favorite Summerween table setting accessories.
Summerween Banner
Pumpkin Paper Plates
Halloween Stripe Tablecloth
Jack-O-Lantern Paper Lanterns
5. Have a Fog Machine
If you want to create all the spooky vibes, then a fog machine is the perfect addition to your party. I can just imagine how the fog would look over a pool in the summer.
6. Hang Ghosts in the Trees
There’s something creepy about a ghost hanging in a tree — especially as the sun sets on a summer night. Hanging decorative ghosts makes sense on Halloween, so why not add them as a decoration for your Summerween party?
Summerween Party Food
7. Jack-O-Lantern Burgers
Add a festive touch to your grilled burgers with Jack-o’-lantern-shaped cheese. This is tedious and takes prep beforehand, but it’s totally worth it.
8. Watermelon Jack-O-Lanterns
Pumpkins aren’t in season, so the next best thing? Watermelon! Carve your watermelon like you would a pumpkin — with a face and a carved top. Add a candle to the inside to create a cozy glow at night.
9. Mummy Dogs (Hot Dogs)
These mummy dogs are so simple to make and are perfectly on theme for the occasion. Simply wrap Pillsbury crescent roll dough around a hot dog or sausage link and bake in the oven. Once cooled, add some decorative, edible eyeballs to complete the “mummy look”.
10. Spooky S’mores
These aren’t regular s’mores…they are spooky s’mores. Give your guests the option of different candies, crackers, and cookies to make a s’more, and add the spooky element by drawing faces on the marshmallows with gel icing.
11. Pumpkin Ice Cream
On a hot summer night, most people are craving a scoop of ice cream. Keep with the festive theme by serving pumpkin-flavored ice cream.
12. Halloween Snack Mix
This Halloween snack mix is so simple to whip together for a party. If you’re wondering where you can buy pumpkin candy corn this time of year, Amazon can deliver it right to your door just in time for your Summerween party.
13. Pumpkin Float
Add a scoop of orange sherbet and orange soda to a cute cup and voila…you have an adorable and tasty pumpkin float.
14. Summerween Charcuterie Board
Everyone loves snacking on a charcuterie board, so why not make it Summerween themed? Add some brie in the shape of a ghost or arrange your cheese and snacking items into the shape of a pumpkin. Either way you decorate it, it’ll look adorable for the party.
15. Halloween Monster Caramel Apples
If you’re looking for a super easy, no-bake dessert for Summerween this year, these Halloween monster caramel apples are the way to go. Eat them off the stick, use them as a centerpiece on your Halloween dessert table, or gift your friends or coworkers with a festive treat.
16. Dirt Cake Cups
Dirt cake cups are super popular for Halloween, but are also a cold dessert to that’s perfect for Summerween parties too. Not to mention, they are a hit with kids and adults of all ages.
17. Candy Corn Peanut Butter Fluff Blondies
These candy corn peanut butter fluff blondies start with a soft peanut butter blondie base, layered with gooey marshmallow fluff, and a crunchy, sweet, and salty sprinkle of candy corn and peanuts. They are the perfect summerween treats to serve!
More Summerween Party Ideas
18. Play Spooky Music
Nothing will get your guests quite in the mood to celebrate Summerween than an epic playlist. There are so many fun options on Spotify. Here’s a couple I recommend playing on a Bluetooth speaker as the party’s going.
19. Watch a Scary Movie In Your Backyard
Watching movies in your backyard on a big screen is a top-tier summer activity. How fun would it be to set up an inflatable projector screen and watch a scary movie or a Halloween classic? Movies like Hocus Pocus, Halloween Town, or Coraline are great options.
20. Have a Costume Contest
Want an excuse to dress up in costumes? Summerween is the perfect time to do just that. Have your friends come dressed in a costume of their choice, and have people unanimously vote for their favorite of the night.
21. A Spooky Night Swim with Light-Up Floats
There’s nothing quite like a night swim, but imagine doing it with some spooky light-up floats. I can just imagine the core summer memories this would create!
22. Gift Friends Summerween T-Shirts
While it’s not necessary to gift your friends a party favor, it’s such a thoughtful way to thank them for celebrating with you. Gifting them a Summerween-themed t-shirt will be something they will actually use and wear to the parties in years to come.
