A Home-Based Halloween

Halloween is two weeks away, and UC Santa Barbara already is embarking on plans aimed at ensuring another safe and locals-only celebration.

The California Department of Public Health COVID-19 orders require UC Santa Barbara to restrict access to campus. Visitors are not permitted on campus outside of designated coastal access areas. Additional measures will be put in place to discourage unauthorized use of campus parking facilities.

Also, as in years past, a number of restrictions will be in place on campus, in Isla Vista and in the neighboring community. The campus will be closed to overnight visitor parking Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31, and only vehicles with valid permits will be allowed to park on campus. The restrictions will cease between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. to allow for normal business operations. Daily permits will expire at midnight Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31.

In addition, police roadblocks may be in place at several intersections in Isla Vista Friday and Saturday, Oct. 30 and 31. As in previous years, some campus parking locations will be subject to closure and limited accessibility to support enhanced safety and security measures. Checkpoints also will be in place on all roads entering campus, and unauthorized vehicles will be denied access.

Further, the festival ordinance prohibiting amplified music at residences will be in effect from 6 p.m. until 7 a.m. Monday, October 26, through Wednesday, Nov. 4. As necessary, emergency first aid for the public will be made available in campus Lot 40.

In other restrictions, out-of-town visitors will not be permitted to park in local Goleta neighborhoods or in area public lots, such as those at Camino Real Marketplace, Girsh Park, Target, University Village Plaza, Fairview Center and Calle Real Center. Cars parked in violation will be towed.

The Associated Students Program Board will be hosting virtual events Friday and Saturday nights, Oct. 30 and 31, including a comedy show and a concert featuring different musical artists. Attendance is restricted to UC Santa Barbara students.

In addition, the Isla Vista Community Services District (IVCSD) is partnering with Lucidity Festival to produce a virtual community-wide event for Halloween weekend. The event, “Halloween at Home: Virtually Lucid in Isla Vista,” will take place between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Oct. 30 and 31. Hosted virtually from with the IVCSD offices, the event is open to the public via free pre-registration for a backstage Zoom room and a Facebook/YouTube/Twitch livestream.

“Their events include costume and home decorating contests as well as streaming live music virtually,” said Katya Armistead, assistant vice chancellor and dean of student life, “Both AS Program Board and the CSD are look to provide incentives to students and others in the Isla Vista community to stay home and participate in the online offerings.