The streets that were once alive with the laughter of trick-or-treaters, carved pumpkins aglow, and creative costumes. But this year, it felt as if Halloween had been put on pause and appeared quieter than in previous years, with many kids and community members concluding that the holiday just wasn’t as much fun. 

Sophomore Nigel Ogden says, “I think last year’s Halloween was better because more people participated and got candy. I also feel like the trunk or treat took away the Halloween spirit.”

Several factors contributed to this feeling of disappointment. Some families decided not to do traditional trick-or-treating because of safety concerns or the greater appeal of “trunk-or-treat” events at schools and community centers. 

While these other activities are fun in their own right, they can’t replace the magical feeling of walking through a neighborhood lit with eerie lights, filled with playful frights, and the adventure of collecting candy door to door. Many students remarked that it felt more like a regular Saturday night rather than a holiday steeped in tradition.

Sophomore Alexandra Hernandez states, “I think this year Halloween was worse than last year because it just wasn’t as fun as last year was.”

Local businesses and houses that typically go all out in decorations were fewer and farther between this year, making the streets seem emptier. The atmosphere felt especially lackluster without fake cobwebs, spooky music, and pumpkins adorning every porch. Even some students admitted that they didn’t feel inspired to dress up or participate because the overall energy of Halloween just wasn’t there.

In place of all the usual celebrations, people have found themselves reflecting on what made Halloween special in the first place. The creativity, the community engagement, and the shared excitement among old and young alike seem dulled this year. 

This quieter Halloween served as a reminder that certain traditions cannot be replicated by an event, no matter how safe or convenient it may be. Last year, with neighborhoods aglow and kids laughing as they collected candy, the holiday seemed alive. This year, that spark seemed to be missing, leaving many to hope that next year brings back the energy and spirit that make Halloween truly memorable.

But in the end, while there were still small moments of fun and celebration, the consensus seems clear: Halloween this year didn’t quite measure up to last year, and many are already looking forward to when the holiday will feel like Halloween again.