What Is the History of Halloween?

by Alex Questly

Halloween is one of those holidays that feels like a mix of everything—spooky stories, costumes, candy, and pumpkin carving. But how did it become what it is today? Spoiler alert: it has a long, fascinating history that goes way beyond trick-or-treating. Let’s take a deep dive into Halloween’s origins, traditions, and how it evolved into the celebration we know and love.


The Ancient Roots of Halloween

Halloween’s story begins over 2,000 years ago with the Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “Sow-in”). This ancient pagan celebration marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, often referred to as the “dark half” of the year.

  • What Did the Celts Believe?
    They believed that on October 31, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to roam the Earth. Some spirits were thought to bring blessings, while others caused mischief.
  • How Was Samhain Celebrated?
    • Bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits.
    • People wore costumes (often made of animal skins) to disguise themselves from malevolent spirits.
    • Offerings of food and drink were left out for wandering souls.

The Roman Influence

When the Roman Empire conquered Celtic territories, they merged their own traditions with Samhain. Two Roman festivals in particular influenced Halloween:

  1. Feralia: A day to honor the dead.
  2. Pomona: A celebration of the goddess of fruit and trees, which may explain the tradition of bobbing for apples.

Christianity and the Creation of All Hallows’ Eve

By the 7th century, Christianity had spread across Europe. In an effort to replace pagan traditions, the Church established All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day) on November 1 to honor saints and martyrs.

  • All Hallows’ Eve: The night before, October 31, became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween.
  • All Souls’ Day: On November 2, people prayed for the souls of the dead, blending Christian beliefs with older pagan customs.

The Journey to America

Halloween arrived in America with European immigrants, particularly the Irish and Scottish. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants fleeing the Great Potato Famine brought their Halloween traditions to the U.S.

Key traditions that developed in America:

  1. Trick-or-Treating: Inspired by the medieval practice of “souling,” where poor people went door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food.
  2. Jack-o’-Lanterns: Originally carved from turnips in Europe, pumpkins became the go-to choice in America.
  3. Costumes and Parties: By the early 20th century, Halloween had shifted into a community-centered celebration with costumes and parades.

Why Do We Carve Jack-o’-Lanterns?

The tradition of carving faces into vegetables comes from an Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack:

  • Jack tricked the Devil multiple times and was denied entry to both Heaven and Hell after he died.
  • Doomed to wander the Earth, Jack used a carved-out turnip with a burning coal inside as his lantern.
  • This “Jack-o’-lantern” became a symbol of Halloween.

When Irish immigrants arrived in America, they discovered pumpkins and realized they were perfect for carving.


Modern Halloween: From Spooky to Sweet

By the mid-20th century, Halloween transformed into a family-friendly holiday in the U.S. Here’s how it evolved:

  1. Costumes Became Creative: Homemade costumes gave way to store-bought ones, with characters from movies and pop culture taking over.
  2. Candy Craze: In the 1950s, candy companies started marketing Halloween as a time for sweet treats, cementing the tradition of trick-or-treating.
  3. Horror Movies: Films like Halloween (1978) turned the holiday into a cultural phenomenon, adding a new layer of spooky fun.

Global Halloween Traditions

While Halloween is most popular in the U.S., other countries celebrate it in unique ways:

  • Mexico: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) honors deceased loved ones with altars, marigolds, and sugar skulls.
  • Ireland and Scotland: Samhain traditions like bonfires and storytelling are still celebrated.
  • Japan: Halloween is a major cosplay event, with massive costume parades in cities like Tokyo.
  • Philippines: Families visit graves and hold feasts to honor their ancestors during Undas.

Fun Facts About Halloween

  1. The First Jack-o’-Lanterns Were Turnips
    • Pumpkins didn’t become popular until Halloween hit America.
  2. Halloween Is Big Business
    • Americans spend over $10 billion annually on Halloween, from costumes to candy.
  3. Black Cats and Superstitions
    • Black cats were associated with witches during the Middle Ages, which is why they’re still a Halloween symbol.
  4. The Most Popular Halloween Candy
    • Reese’s Cups consistently rank as America’s favorite. Sorry, candy corn lovers.
  5. “Monster Mash” Was Banned
    • The famous Halloween song was once banned by the BBC for being “too morbid.”

Why We Love Halloween

Halloween is more than just costumes and candy—it’s a celebration of imagination, mystery, and connection. Whether you’re lighting a candle for your ancestors, decorating your house with fake cobwebs, or binge-watching horror movies, Halloween has something for everyone.


What’s your favorite Halloween tradition? Are you a trick-or-treating enthusiast, a pumpkin carving master, or the type who loves to tell ghost stories? Let’s share some spooky vibes in the comments!

Alex Trivia
Alex Questly

Hi, I’m Alex—your trivia-obsessed, fact-hoarding host of this little corner of the internet. Picture me in my tiny home office, walls lined with shelves buckling under the weight of old trivia books, science magazines, and a stack of half-filled notebooks. My desk is a chaotic mess—a chipped coffee mug holding an army of pens, my laptop precariously perched atop an outdated encyclopedia, and post-it notes with scribbled reminders stuck to everything in sight (including, somehow, the cat). Welcome to the madness!

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