Halloween History 101

Written by: Pranav Vaddepalli (‘26), Pranav Soleti (‘26), Abhijith Chitrala (‘26)

& Dhanush Suresh (‘28)

Halloween is celebrated in many parts of the world as a night of creativity, mystery, and fun. It began long ago as a Celtic festival called Samhain, when people believed that spirits could cross into the human world as autumn turned into winter. Over time, the holiday changed and spread to different cultures, evolving from an ancient spiritual tradition into a modern celebration enjoyed by millions. Today, Halloween is known for costumes, candy, and spooky decorations, but its traditions vary from place to place.

In many English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, one of the most loved Halloween traditions is dressing up in costumes. Children and adults choose outfits that allow them to become something different for a day. People dress as ghosts, monsters, superheroes, princesses, cartoon characters, or anything they can imagine. Children often go trick or treating in the evening. They walk from house to house holding candy bags and knocking on doors to say “trick or treat,” and neighbors give them chocolates, lollipops, and other snacks. Trick or treating has become a major part of Halloween for families and neighborhoods.

Pumpkin carving is another favorite tradition that is popular in many countries that celebrate Halloween. People hollow out pumpkins and carve faces or designs into them before placing a candle inside. These glowing pumpkins are called jack o lanterns and are usually placed on porches or in windows to add a spooky feeling to the night. Some people take part in pumpkin carving competitions and try to create the most detailed or creative design they can.

Many communities host Halloween events such as costume parties, street parades, and haunted attractions. Haunted houses are especially popular. These are walk-through experiences filled with dark rooms, scary decorations, and actors dressed as zombies, vampires, or ghosts who try to frighten visitors. Schools, clubs, and families also hold Halloween gatherings where people play games like bobbing for apples or holding costume contests.

A lot of people enjoy watching scary movies or telling ghost stories on Halloween night. Some choose classic family movies like Hocus Pocus or The Addams Family, while others prefer horror films that are truly frightening. Storytelling is also a common tradition. Friends might gather to share ghost stories or legends about haunted places or mysterious creatures.

Halloween also connects to cultural traditions in other parts of the world. In Mexico and several Latin American countries, people celebrate Día de los Muertos which means “Day of the Dead.” Although it takes place around the same time as Halloween, it is not the same holiday. It is a celebration of life and a time to honor loved ones who have passed away. Families decorate altars with flowers, candles, and food to remember and celebrate their ancestors. In Japan, Halloween has become very popular in recent years. People participate in large street celebrations and costume festivals, especially in big cities like Tokyo. In Ireland and Scotland, where Halloween first began, some traditional customs still remain. People light bonfires and play fortune telling games that have been passed down for many generations.

From neighborhood trick or treating to cultural celebrations that honor the past, Halloween is now enjoyed by people in many different countries. The details of how it is celebrated may change from place to place, but the heart of Halloween stays the same. It is a time for imagination, community, and a little bit of spooky fun.