Tonight, the Great Pumpkin will rise out of the pumpkin patch and fly through the air to bring toys to all the children of the world. It’s true! Linus told us so.
Is it really Halloween if you don’t watch this feel-good favorite? We’ll never know since it’s required viewing ‘round here! So we sure hope your piano is tuned, because the time of It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (and, naturally, “The Great Pumpkin Waltz”) is upon us.
This Peanuts TV special — our personal fave — became an instant classic when it first premiered way back in 1966. Between the famous theme song and all our favorite characters (yep, even sassy bossypants extraordinaire Lucy van Pelt), it never seems to get old. Our parents loved it, we loved it and now our own kids love it.
Want to see more? Check out our other Dinner and a movie features here!
Here to help you get in the true holiday spirit, we’ve put together the perfect menu for your dinner and a movie night — one that would definitely make Snoopy drool.
Get your It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown on
Before you can chow down on some yummy snacks, you have to get the movie ready:
MOVIE: It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown (Don’t have it? Get it at Amazon or see more options)
RUNNING TIME: 25 minutes
YEAR OF RELEASE: 1966
RATING: Not rated
STARRING: Peter Robbins, Christopher Shea, Sally Dryer
Dinner and a movie: Your It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown menu
And now, for our feature presentation …
BEVERAGE: Pumpkin fizz cocktails
Mornings may be for coffee, but movie nights are for fizz. So, move over, pumpkin spice latte! It’s time for something a little bit more fun — and equally delicious.
If the parents in Charlie Brown could actually talk, they would totally rave about these pumpkin fizz cocktails full of all the delicious flavors the season brings. You’ve got the oh-so-necessary pumpkin puree, tangy lemon and just a dash of sweet honey.
ALSO TRY: Dinner and a movie: Disney’s Frozen
Making them kid-friendly is also super easy if you just skip the bourbon. Even sans alcohol, though, serve it up in a highball glass with a sugared rim and lemon slice. Your little ones will have never felt so fancy.
APPETIZER: Garlicky pumpkin hummus
How much pumpkin is too much pumpkin? Correct answer: You can never have too much, not when it comes to the night of the Great Pumpkin! So, get snacking on this super-yummy garlicky pumpkin hummus.
You’re going to want to prepare this one the evening before so that it can get nice and flavorful in your fridge overnight, then serve it up with some crackers or pretzels. The garlic and slight lemon flavors also go great with veggies, especially carrot sticks and celery.
ENTRÉE: Roasted pork tenderloin with apples
OK, admit it. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how many times you’ve seen it before, you always giggle out loud when Lucy dips her head in the tank to bob for apples, only to surface with one being chomped by Snoopy on the other end.
In a nod to your favorite sasspot’s “poison dog lips” moment, serve up this lip-smacking roasted pork tenderloin with apples. Tender and juicy, it’s like a slice of all the best parts of autumn right on your plate.
DESSERT: Traditional homemade peanut brittle
In honor of Charlie, Lucy, Snoopy, Violet and the rest of the gang, end the night with some traditional homemade peanut brittle. This classic snack is the perfect mix of salty-sweetness (with a crunch). Basically, everyone will love it even more than Sally loves Linus.
ALSO TRY: Dinner and a movie: Disney’s Toy Story
You can even get the kids involved in this super-easy recipe. Have them measure out the baking soda, salt and sugar, or help them spread the hot mixture over your baking tray.
BONUS! Activities
Yes, you totally saw this one coming, but we have to say it anyway. Great Pumpkin night is the single-most perfect excuse to get the whole family together for your annual pumpkin carving! Bonus points if you can carve your favorite Peanuts character’s face. Not quite that artistic? No biggy, we’ve got you covered with some free printable pumpkin-carving stencils.
Looking for something a bit less messy? Decorate your pumpkins with these gorgeous non-carving designs. Or, make your very own great pumpkin with just a little bit of yarn.
MORE: Halloween pumpkin designs that are spooktacular
And, of course, the night is not complete without channeling your inner Linus and writing your very own letter to the Great Pumpkin. What will you ask him for? For the record, more pumpkin fizz cocktails is a totally respectable response here.
