Eleven Ways to Celebrate Stranger Things Season 3

As we’re less than a week away from Season 3 of Stranger Things, it’s time to kick the countdown into high gear! If you’re reading this after watching Season 3 and you’re looking to revel in a big dose of retro fun, this post is also for you. Hawkins, Indiana is ready, and so is Mirror80. Keep the ’80s alive in your heart this summer as you celebrate all things strange and nostalgic…

1. Visit the Pool

We can’t guarantee that Billy Hargrove will be there, but going for a swim is a great way to reconnect with your childhood. Because if you were a kid in the ’80s, time spent at the pool was of utmost importance. It’s where you socialized with current friends, made new friends, and yearned to see that certain someone. There’s something fun about channeling that magic as an adult…and something liberating about jumping right into the water without worrying about messing up your hair because you’re now comfortable in your own skin. The image above is from H&M. More about their fabulous collab with Stranger Things in the next section.

2. Shop the Look

If watching Stranger Things makes you want to up your ’80s wardrobe game, get thee to a thrift shop! You can also get the look by shopping some of the amazing collaborations between Stranger Things and retailers such as H&M, Hot Topic, Target, Nike, and Levis. There’s also a fun collab between Pull & Bear and Stranger Things stars Finn Wolfhard and Sadie Sink! Happy Shopping!!

3. Dive into the Design

There are so many different styles to celebrate if you’re into ’80s design. For example, during Season 1 of Stranger Things, Mirror80 profiled the comforting look of the Wheeler Family home. Grab a recliner, a macrame plant hanger and your favorite brown plaid fabric and snuggle in for a TV marathon. Or get thee to a mall for a big dose of ’80s retail design (details later in the post). If you want to learn more about 1980s interior design styles such as Memphis-Milano and ’80s Deco, there’s plenty of inspiration right here at Mirror80. And don’t hesitate to join the ’80s Design group on Facebook, where the conversation continues on a daily basis.

4. Enjoy the Soundtrack

Stranger Things boasts an unbeatable soundtrack, and we’re not just talking about ’80s tunes. As with Seasons 1 and 2, Kyle Dixon and Michael Stein are composing this season’s selections. Get ready for some synth-heavy magic and lots of mystery. In fact, you can start listening now. If you are craving some classic ’80s tracks, a soundtrack in that realm will be released on July 5th. (now playing!!! Listen here).

5. Plan the Ultimate Viewing Party

Tired of waiting for Season 3? The countdown will go faster if you get busy planning the ultimate viewing party. Check out Mirror80’s Season 1 viewing party for inspiration. Especially if you’re into a build-your-own waffle bar! Don’t hesitate to hit a thrift store such as Goodwill and snag a few authentic ’80s plates for serving purposes. The kind that would appear in a Hawkins, Indiana kitchen. Think comfort over glam! And if you need additional viewing party inspiration, there is a TON of it on Pinterest.

6. Revel in Retro Escapes

Waiting for Season 3 of Stranger Things has brought back that giddy feeling of being a kid in the ’80s…and waiting to see the summer’s big blockbuster hit! So this summer the blog has focused on reveling in authentic ’80s experiences, such as downing a tall glass of instant iced tea and having a true pizza night (with chain restaurant pizza, folks). You can also find a slew of party ideas, complete with ’80s escapes, here.

7. Head to the Mall

It’s hot outside, but there’s air conditioning at the mall. If you’re lucky enough to have an indoor mall in your city (that was built in the ’70s, ’80s or early ’90s), go shopping!!! Even dead malls like this one will have enough leftover ’80s design magic to keep the spirit of ’80s indoor retail alive. Take a virtual tour of ’80s indoor malls through Dan Bell’s Dead Mall Series. And if you’re lucky enough to live in the LA area, you can visit Starcourt Mall! This event is currently sold out, but if you bought tickets in advance, enjoy immersing yourself in one of the major settings of Season 3.

8. Return to Seasons 1 and 2

Stranger Things is an ideal series for repeat viewing. If you missed out on (or are missing) Seasons 1 and 2, now is the time to catch up and relive the magic. This is a series that started strong and kept the momentum going, so there is MUCH to enjoy, rewind, and repeat. Grab some string lights and a bowl of popcorn, and settle in for a TV marathon. Nighttime viewing is encouraged!

9. Get in Blockbuster Mode

Summertime is the right time for enjoying an ’80s blockbuster. Do you have memories of sitting in the theater while watching Back to the Future for the seventh time? How about Top Gun? Looking for a list of blockbuster ideas? Visit this site for the “biggest summer blockbuster every year since Jaws”. Some of Mirror80’s favorite summer-themed movies include Summer Rental, Summer School, Weekend at Bernie’s, Cocktail, and Jaws 3. Click on the links for Mirror80 features on each film. Happy viewing!

10. Have the Ultimate ’80s Summer

Nostalgia is in full force, reboots have been rebooted, and original programming with ’80s flair is back with a vengeance. Now is the time to have the ultimate ’80s summer. Check out our recent post on the quintessential ’80s summer experience, from music video playlists to authentic ’80s cocktails. We’ve also added plenty of retro summer eye candy to our latest Pinterest board.

11. Stay Connected

If you’re a Stranger Things mega-fan, social media provides another amazing way to stay connected with the series. Visit the official Netflix Stranger Things site, and follow Stranger Things on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Not to mention, you can find your favorite Stranger Things stars on these social media sites, where fun photos from events such as the recent Season 3 cast party are highlights.

Cheers to a great summer filled with repeat viewings of Stranger Things 3!!!