Walmart Launches Fall Pandemic-Friendly Events

Walmart is embracing the new normal in retail.

The chain said Monday that it is launching three experiences to help families have some fun with the retailer this autumn.

The first, Halloween Camp by Walmart, is an extension of the popular virtual summer camp program launched earlier in the year. The second is a game day experience that puts small business and college football front-and-center, and the third is a Halloween trick-or-treat event. In total, Walmart will host more than 140 contact-free events in store parking lots across the country from now through the end of October.

The offerings follow Walmart’s summer effort at showing drive-in movies in its parking lots.

“We enjoyed bringing our drive-in concept to life for customers this summer,” said William White, chief marketing officer at Walmart. “We successfully reimagined what’s possible with our digital and physical footprint to bring communities joy in a year that’s been otherwise tough. For many of us, football tailgates and Halloween parties are cornerstones of a great fall season. These additional events will give customers an opportunity to still celebrate the things they love, while staying safe."

CAMP BY WALMART

Camp by Walmart, produced and developed in partnership with CAMP, a Family Experience Co., and powered by the interactive video platform eko, is introducing Halloween-themed experiences with actor Neil Patrick Harris to celebrate the holiday while safe and socially distanced. Starting now through Oct. 31, customers can play family-friendly games and make spooky projects like Halloween masks and glow-in-the-dark slime and creepy-delicious haunted houses. 

Halloween Camp by Walmart episodes include:

• The Great Family Showdown – Trick or Treat: The Game: Have a ghoulishly good time with actor Neil Patrick Harris
• Snacktivity – Hershey’s Candy Monsters: Scare up some fun with a sweet and spooky new project that can be made at home
• Snacktivity – Hershey’s Haunted Candy Houses: Put a Halloween twist on a gingerbread house with a ghoulish graham cracker mansion
• Make It Awesome – Glow-in-the-Dark Slime: Light up the room with glow in the dark slime that can stretch and squish
• Make It Awesome – Halloween Masks: Create costumes by designing a fun, festive Halloween mask
• Make It Awesome – Halloween Décor: Halloweenify homes with Day of the Dead lanterns or mysterious mason jars that sparkle

THE WALMART GAME DAY MARKETPLACE

Many fans may not be able to gather in stadiums this year, but they can still have a little fun off the field, the retailer said. Walmart is bringing a farmer’s market-style event to six college towns in Colorado, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, Utah and Wisconsin.

It’s a twist on the traditional tailgate, allowing customers an opportunity to dawn their gear and cheer on their teams while supporting local vendors who traditionally benefit from the hustle and bustle of a football Saturday. Drumlines and cheerleading squads will get the parties started, and local food trucks and school spirit shops will be on site to keep guests festive and fed.

TRICK-OR-TREAT AT WALMART

For customers seeking less traditional Halloween haunts this year, Walmart is transforming more than 100 of its store parking lots into ‘spooky street’ trick-or-treat adventures that are contact-free and socially distanced. Kids and their parents are invited to dress up – the season’s most popular costumes are available at Walmart – and head to Walmart for these free Halloween events. The program begins Oct. 15 and runs through Halloween.

Bentonville, Arkansas-based Walmart operates more than 11,300 stores under 58 banners in 27 countries, and e-commerce websites, employing 2.2 million-plus associates worldwide. Walmart U.S. is No. 1 on The PG 100, Progressive Grocer's list of the top food and consumables retailers in North America, while Walmart-owned Sam's Club ranks No. 9 on the list.