Halloween-heads all seem to be asking the same question.
When is Summerween? And what is it?
The holiday’s superfans aren’t waiting for October 31 to roll around this year. They have ignited a new party trend, and it’s already dominating Pinterest’s DIY idea boards and TikTok’s #foryoupage.
One of the first Summerween videos to go viral was posted by creator Bonnie Barton, who shared a 14-second clip of her Halloween party in early July.
It was a warm summer night. She threw on a witch hat and long black dress, strung up a jack-o-lantern piñata, tossed a skeleton into her kiddie pool, grilled up some pumpkin-shaped cheeseburgers, and poured herself a glass of fizzing orange Fanta.
“Summer, what?” a perplexed voice asked in the background audio.
“Summerween,” a hoarse rumble responded. “The people of this town love Halloween so much that they celebrate it twice a year!”
“Summerween?” the inquisitor repeated. “Something about this feels unnatural.”
Like many #Summerween posts, Barton’s short video instantly received millions of views and thousands of comments. But, something was uncanny about it.
People started pointing out that celebrating Summer Halloween isn’t exactly a new concept. Some referenced the Gravity Falls Summerween episode that aired on Disney Channel back in 2012.
The mystery cartoon series followed the characters along their own Summerween adventures, complete with jack’o-melons, cackling skulls, spooky Summerween costumes, and lots of trick-or-treating.
Modern Summerween parties seem a bit more decor-heavy, as Barton’s extravagant set-up suggests. Hundreds of her followers asked where to shop for their own decorations to host a Summerween party.
Barton shared links to her decor on her Amazon storefront. Her favorites include a 5’4-inch skeleton, a pumpkin-brimmed tree, and remote-controlled, floating Harry Potter candles.
Unsurprisingly, Amazon has been embracing “Summerween” shopping trends for years. The site’s “Summerween” section is already stocked with sultry tank tops, tattoos, string lights, and more outdoor decor.
According to a report by USA Today, Halloween shopping has started progressively earlier year after year since 2019. This year, peak Amazon Halloween sales began ramping up the first week of August.
TJ Maxx didn’t wait long to comment on Barton’s clip. “You might be onto something!” the company wrote alongside a pumpkin emoji.
“Are we all throwing a Summerween party now??” Instacart chimed in.
Big-box brands are notorious for leaning heavily into the Halloween market in the months leading up to the holiday.
Target’s “Best on the Block” selection promises an array of “nostalgic faves as well as some new twists and treats” — like whimsical children’s costumes, candy bags, and bowls.
Lowe’s shared its “Haunted Harbor” decorations back in July. The chilling underwater animatronics and sea monsters were inspired by a wave of TikTok videos that display the unpredictable nature of the deep sea and terrifying maritime havoc.
Home Depot also put its in-demand “larger-than-life” skeleton back on the shelf this July. The hyper-realistic decoration was first released back in 2020 and stirred an instant internet frenzy with its 12-foot stature and soul-piercing eyes.
“The Home Depot is excited to share the return of the famous 12-foot Skeleton (popularly known as Skelly), which is back this season for more fun and frights,” said Lance Allen, senior merchant of decorative holiday at The Home Depot.
It’s uncertain how long Skelly will be available this year, whether Lowe’s will run low on its sinister sea section, or if all the best candy will be cleared out before October 31st rolls around. But, there is nothing to be scared about — apparently, it’s never too early to start shopping Summerween.
Shop the Home Depot posable skeleton now before he retreats into the sold-out graveyard. The typically sold-out skeleton is now back at The Home Depot, so we advise snagging him now — limit one per order.
Sick of waiting for the actual Halloween? You and your Summerween party friends can get some of your frustration out on this Pumpkin Piñata. The wack stick is included.
Keep your Summerween drinks icey-cold in the summer heat with this iconic inflatable spider cooler, available for just $25.99. It holds about 120 cans or doubles as a kiddie pool – depending on what type of party you’re into.
A simple banner that screams, “Summerween,” is the perfect backdrop for spooky summer festivities. It ships fully assembled, so you don’t have to worry about anything except where you’re going to hang it.
Pottery Barn boasts plenty of Summerween party table settings. These silver Skeleton candle holders hold your taper candles on a sturdy base and can be used in any corner of the house, in addition to the dinner table.
It’s not a party without string lights. Amazon’s Dazzle Bright lights are an increasingly popular choice, with 5000 reviews and counting. Sets are available in a variety of shades and feature multiple settings like flash and fade.
The best adult Halloween treats come in the form of skull shot glasses, and this pack of six is currently a best-seller at Walmart. For just under $20, you may want to snatch up a few sets.
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