Halloween — October 31
Halloween, observed every October 31, is one of the world's biggest cultural holidays. It combines ancient Celtic harvest traditions with Christian All Hallows' Eve and modern pop culture — costumes, candy, jack-o'-lanterns, haunted houses and horror movies.
A short history
Halloween descends from the Gaelic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed the boundary between worlds was thin on this night — hence the masks and bonfires to ward off spirits. Irish immigrants brought the traditions to America in the 19th century, where they merged with European customs and grew into the modern holiday.
Main traditions
- Trick-or-treating: Kids in costume go door-to-door for candy. American homes spend $3 billion a year on Halloween candy.
- Jack-o'-lanterns: Carved pumpkins with candles inside, originally turnips in Ireland.
- Costumes: Anything from ghosts and witches to pop culture characters. Group costumes are a popular party tradition.
- Haunted houses and attractions: Theme parks run special Halloween events through October.
- Horror movie marathons: Many families have an annual rewatch of classic horror or family-friendly films like Hocus Pocus or The Nightmare Before Christmas.
Halloween party planning
- Theme it. 80s horror, classic monsters, witches' covens — a theme makes costumes and food easier.
- Drinks with dry ice add atmosphere — use food-safe dry ice and keep it away from skin.
- Food on theme: "eyeballs" (mozzarella + olives), "fingers" (cocktail sausages), pumpkin soup.
- Light it low: String lights, candles in jars and a playlist of spooky soundtracks beat overhead lighting.
Fact
The world record for the heaviest pumpkin is around 1,247 kg (2,749 lb), grown by Travis Gienger in 2023. A typical jack-o'-lantern pumpkin weighs only 5–10 kg.
Halloween FAQ
When is Halloween?
October 31 every year. The date is fixed.
Is Halloween a public holiday?
No, in most countries it is not a public holiday — schools and offices stay open. Some US states observe it informally; trick-or-treating is usually in the evening.
Why pumpkins?
The original Irish jack-o'-lanterns were carved from turnips. When the tradition moved to America, settlers found that pumpkins — native to the New World — were much easier to carve.
What's the best age for trick-or-treating?
Most kids trick-or-treat from age 3 to early teens. Some neighbourhoods have informal cutoffs, but there's no strict rule.
When should I start decorating?
Mid-October is typical. Stores stock Halloween decor from early September alongside back-to-school. Pumpkins last around 7–10 days once carved.
