What is Halloween?

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration observed in a number of countries on October 31, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It initiates the triduum of Hallowmas, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed.

Origin of Halloween

Halloween's origins date back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The Celts, who lived 2,000 years ago, in the area that is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and northern France, celebrated their new year on November 1. This day marked the end of summer and the harvest and the beginning of the dark, cold winter, a time of year that was often associated with human death.

Traditional Halloween Activities

Traditional activities on Halloween include trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving, costume parties, visiting "haunted houses", and playing pranks. It is a time to embrace the spooky and the supernatural, with many people enjoying watching horror movies and telling ghost stories.

Popular Halloween Costumes

During Halloween, people often dress up in costumes, with some of the most popular choices being witches, ghosts, vampires, zombies, and other supernatural beings. Superheroes, Disney characters, and pop culture figures are also commonly seen on Halloween night.

Halloween Around the World

While Halloween is most commonly celebrated in the United States, it has also gained popularity in other countries, such as Canada, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. In recent years, it has also become more popular in various other parts of the world, as people embrace the opportunity to indulge in a little spooky fun and dress up in creative costumes.