Whether you’ve been doom-scrolling on TikTok or got sucked into Instagram reels you may have run into the latest micro trend, Summer-Ween. Videos of people carving watermelons and pineapples like Jack O’ Lanterns, and Book-Tokers posting summer-ween reading recommendations have been popping up everywhere for some users. But what the f**k is Summer-Ween!? It’s a bridge between Summer and Halloween, for people who despise the summer heat and would rather it be Fall so they can watch their favorite scary movies. You know those slasher movies we watch during Halloween? A lot of them actually take place during the summer –Friday the 13th, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Stranger Things, IT, and soooo many more. 

Summer-Ween embodies the summer camp within the slasher movie. It’s pregaming Halloween before Halloween. AKA an excuse to put up decorations earlier this year. 

How did it all start? 

After hours of research (scrolling on Instagram and TikTok), I discovered that Summer-Ween first made its debut on an episode of Gravity Falls in 2012. The episode features the main characters, Dipper and Mabel Pines, collecting candy for a scary monster that follows them around. Since the episode’s premiere, Summer-Ween has gained more and more attention each year. The show has even inspired a TikTok trend showing people celebrating their version of Summer-Ween. I recommend watching the episode, which you can find on Disney+ or watch here. And FYI, Summer-Ween already has its own niche subgenre spinoff, Slasher Summer.

How have people been celebrating?

My “research” showed that TikTok and YouTube had been flooded with creative ways people celebrate Summer-Ween. Carving out watermelons and other fruits into Jack O’ Lanterns and fun Halloween-themed summer foods (like an apple pie in the shape of a pumpkin or white chocolate-covered ghost strawberries) have been among the favorite activities. Haunted barbeques are a great way to show off some spooky-looking burgers (if you want that?) and invite friends over. Summer-Ween is another great excuse to throw a pool party – just throw some skeletons in floaties in your neighborhood pool! 

Over on YouTube, the BookTubers have taken Summer-Ween and turned it into a readathon. Hundreds of Summer-Ween TBR lists and recommendations can be found there; some of my personal favorites are Mary, and The Troop. 

Slasher Summer

We’ve had Hot Girl Summer and BRAT Summer but what about Slasher Summer, , Summer-Ween’s sexier, hotter older sibling. It branched off from Summer-Ween and embodies more horror summer camp vibes. Think: I Know What You Did Last Summer,Nightmare on Elm Street, Jaws, Midsommar… the list goes oooon. Slasher Summer has a more 80s retro aesthetic with ripped shorts, baseball tees, and a little blood splatter. If slasher films are more your style, Slasher Summer is probably for you. 

Time to boOoOoo-gie!

And there you guys have it. A deep dive into the internet's latest niche trend! I know, glow-getter – there’s so many it’s hard to keep track of them all! But if you need a break from BRAT Summer this year, mix it up a bit with some Summer-Ween. You still have time to carve out a watermelon and watch some spooky summer movies. It’s only July!