While most people think of trick-or-treating and young children in costume, Fred Astaire Dance Studios believes kids aren’t the only ones who can get in the spooky spirit when its time to celebrate Halloween.

If your children are grown and flown, or if they are spending the evening with their friends, make a special plan to do something with your significant other this Halloween. The tradition of celebrating Halloween began with an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, where people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts. Pope Gregory III declared November 1 as a day to honor the saints, and October 31 became All Hallow’s Eve, incorporating many of the old Celtic traditions. Over the centuries, Halloween evolved to be a time for scary decorations, costumes, and lots of sweet treats.

There are many ways to celebrate Halloween if you are too old to hit your neighbors up for candy. Here are a few ways to have a memorable Halloween.

1. Visit a Haunted Attraction. If you are an adrenaline junkie, visit a haunted attraction designed to get your heart pumping and give you plenty of jump scares. Numerous haunted trails and spooky forests pop up in October for people who enjoy a frightful experience. Haunted attractions aren’t for the faint of heart, and most collect a small fee before you follow a trail complete with zombies, ghosts, mummies, and more. Make sure to hold hands!

1. Stream a Horror Flick. If the idea of venturing out on Halloween makes you leery, pop some popcorn and curl up together on the sofa to stream a horror flick. Choose from classics, like “Children of the Corn,” “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and “The Shining,” to get your heart racing.

1. Create a Trick-or-Treat Destination. Just because you are past the age of going door-to-door to collect candy doesn’t mean trick-or-treating is a bust. Spend time with your spouse decorating your house for the holiday, then don your scariest costumes and delight the neighborhood children with your creative flair. Offering full-size candy bars will ensure your home is the talk of the town among the elementary set.

1. Trip the Light Fantastic. Fred Astaire Dance Studios locations celebrate Halloween each year with masquerade balls and costume parties. The tradition of masquerade balls began in the 14th century as part of Europe’s celebration of Carnival, the festive season that occurs before Lent in Roman Catholic cultures. Spurred by the anonymity the masks provided, attendees kicked up their heels and let loose. The masquerade ball tradition took Europe by storm, and many balls are still held today.

1. Learn the “Monster Mash.” Halloween is a great holiday to learn some new moves on the dance floor. Spend some time on Halloween learning a fun line dance guaranteed to make you smile. The “Monster Mash” is the top track from Bobby Pickett and The Crypt-Kickers’ 1962 album, “The Original Monster Mash.” The entertaining song is about a mad scientist who is in his lab working diligently to create a monster. Late one night, his ghoulish experiment comes to life and starts dancing. The song’s writers based the “Monster Mash” on teen idol Dee Dee Sharp’s popular hit, “Mashed Potato Time,” The Michigan Daily reported. There are many variations of the “Monster Mash,” but most mimic the stiff movements of a zombie, combined with swinging arms.

Take a look at some clips of people getting into the Halloween spirit set to the tune of the “Monster Mash.”

In this clip, a flash mob performs the “Monster Mash” at the Pumpkin Harvest Festival in Saco, Maine.

Check out how these homeowners used Pickett’s popular song as part of their elaborate Halloween decorations.

The performers on “Dancing With the Stars” got into the Halloween spirit during season 25 when they wore costumes and danced to “The Monster Mash.”

Why Choose FADS?

If learning the “Monster Mash” dance on Halloween sparked your interest and put you in the mood to get groovy, contact your local Fred Astaire Dance Studios location to learn more about our ballroom dance lessons. We offer group and private lessons in a fun, nurturing environment. Ballroom dancing can help you get fit and learn a new hobby you can enjoy for years to come. Contact us to learn more about our introductory offer or about our Online Lesson Platform.