Image by Sašo Tušar on Unsplash
If you go on TikTok you may stumble upon Autumn-esque edits and photo collages, despite it almost being summer. From ‘This or Thats’ with background music of Norah Jones or Mazzy Star to ‘choose your day’ slideshows peppered with aesthetically pleasing Pinterest photos – we can’t escape. So what is this trend and why is it popping up everywhere?
Where did the term ‘Summerween’ come from?
Summerween originated from the animated television show Gravity Falls, created by Alex Hirsch. The concept was introduced in Season 1, Episode 12, titled “Summerween”, which first aired on October 5, 2012.
Gravity Falls is set in Oregon, where the town’s residents love Halloween so much they celebrate it twice a year.
Thus, “Summerween” is celebrated on 22nd June in the show, with traditional Halloween activities like costumes, trick-or-treating, and pumpkin decorations, but featuring jack-o’-melons (carved watermelons instead of pumpkins).
However, fans of the show embraced this idea, which has created a small subculture that celebrates the event.
Since this, soundbites have moved onto TikTok, with Halloween images overlapping. Traction has picked up over the last couple of years but, this year the popularity and influx of videos has exploded.
Popularity and Evolution
The hashtag ‘Summerween’ has amassed over 84,000 posts – from dedicated pages to fans of the trend as it continues to grow.
Since its origin and soundbytes the videos have evolved from edits, and have now become party set-up videos, dedicated ‘summerween’ activity days, as well as food prep and baking videos.
Why is this a trend?
Fans online seem to be saying the same thing, whether it be in comment sections or forums – it’s just a bit of fun. The excuse to extend the spirit and love of the Autumn season resonates with both fans of Gravity Falls and Halloween lovers, alike.
Other participants of the trend have said it helps them combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) – a disorder that affects mood, energy and productivity depending on the season. People who struggle in the warmer months with feeling lethargic and other symptoms seem to be saying ‘Summerween’ is an outlet and beacon of positivity through their struggles.
Final Thoughts
‘Summerween’s harmless nature and wholesome following seems to be what has propelled its popularity in the online space that is increasingly becoming tainted with hostility and hate. The trend may seem random and confusing to some, but evidently to all of the autumn and Halloween lovers, it is a great way to express affection and enthusiasm toward the cooler months.
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