Halloween

Halloween is celebrated on 31 October in many countries, marking the eve of All Hallows' Day. Rooted in Christian and older traditions, it blends remembrance of the dead with playful customs like trick-or-treating, costume parties, and carving jack-o'-lanterns.

• Celebrated on 31 October, the eve of All Hallows' Day
• Trick-or-treating and costume parties are central traditions
• Carving jack-o'-lanterns from pumpkins or turnips
• Rooted in Christian and older Celtic customs
• Observed in Ireland, the US, Canada, and many other countries

What it is

Halloween, also called All Hallows' Eve, is a festival observed on the last night of October. It marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a period in the Western Christian calendar dedicated to remembering saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed. Over time, Halloween has grown to include a mix of solemn remembrance and lively, playful traditions. For many, it is a night to embrace the mysterious and the supernatural, with communities coming together for festivities that blend old customs with modern fun.

Where it comes from

The roots of Halloween are intertwined with Christian observances and older traditions. The name comes from 'All Hallows' Eve,' the vigil before All Saints' Day on 1 November, when Christians honor saints and pray for the dead. Some historians trace Halloween customs to Celtic harvest festivals like Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. Over centuries, Christian and folk practices blended, especially in Ireland and Scotland, and Irish and Scottish immigrants later carried these traditions to North America, where Halloween evolved and spread worldwide.

How it is celebrated

Halloween is marked by a variety of customs, both solemn and playful. Children and adults dress in costumes, often inspired by supernatural or spooky themes, and go door-to-door for trick-or-treating, collecting sweets from neighbors. Carving pumpkins or turnips into jack-o'-lanterns and lighting them is a widespread tradition, as is attending costume parties and visiting haunted attractions. Some people play games like apple bobbing or tell ghost stories. For others, the night includes church services, lighting candles on graves, and sharing special foods like apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes. The festival is a time for both community gathering and personal reflection.

Joining in

Visitors can experience Halloween in many countries, with especially lively celebrations in Ireland, the United States, and Canada. Expect streets filled with costumed children and adults, houses decorated with lanterns and spooky motifs, and a festive, slightly eerie atmosphere. Local events may include parades, haunted houses, and parties. Whether joining in trick-or-treating, watching horror films, or simply enjoying the autumnal sights, newcomers are welcomed into the spirit of the night.

In the news

• Downtown Trick-or-Treating and Halloween Party at Legacy SquareCity of Renton, WA (.gov)
• This local Halloween festival rolls on despite last year’s fears225 Magazine
• CHUCK E. CHEESE ANNOUNCES BOO-TACULAR: LARGEST KID-FOCUSED HALLOWEEN CELEBRATIONChuck E. Cheese
• Irvington Halloween Festival returning for 80th year of spooky celebrationsFox 59
• Hub Sports Center brings month-long Halloween celebration to Liberty LakeKXLY.com
• Santa Monica is taking over 3 blocks for a massive open-air Halloween music festival — with a night market, vendors, and free admissionSecret Los Angeles

Sources and attribution

This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Halloween, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it, and news headlines link to their publishers. For the full account, read the originals below.

Read more

• Halloween on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• Halloween travel guide on WikivoyageTravel guide
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data

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