What is Halloween?
- Learning Resources Posted On Oct 8, 2021 | Seasonal Fun
Have you ever wondered who invented Halloween or what is the meaning of Halloween? We’re going to answer these questions and more, in our handy guide to Halloween. Learn all about this weird and wonderful day and how it’s celebrated all over the world. Get ready for a spook-tacular Halloween this year, as we inspire you and your little ones.
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What is Halloween?
When is Halloween?
Halloween happens every year on the 31st day of October. It takes place in autumn. Autumn evenings are often chilly and dark, which makes it the perfect season for Halloween.
Lots of children dress up in costumes to go trick-or-treating. But there are lots of other spooktastic things you can do too. If you do go trick-or-treating, dress up warmly to make sure you don’t get chills down your spine!
What is the origin of Halloween?
Did you know, Halloween is over 2,000 years old!? A long, long time ago Halloween used to be known as Samhain. It began in Ireland and was an ancient Celtic festival. It was later enjoyed and celebrated in Britain, and parts of northern Europe too. People who follow the Pagan religion still celebrate Samhain today.
The festival has also been adapted by Christians and the 31st October is known as All Hallows’ Eve. All Hallows’ Eve is where the name Halloween comes from. For Christians, it is a day to remember and pray for the dead and is the day before All Saints’ Day. Today, Halloween celebrations take place all over the world, each with their own traditions.
How do we celebrate Halloween in the UK?
In the UK, in the run up to Halloween, you’ll find lots of spooky decorations in shops. Some will even sell special edition Halloween versions of products. Many people have Halloween parties and enjoy dressing up in costumes or watching scary films together. But for children, the most exciting part is trick-or-treating.
Trick-or-treating has been a popular activity for children in the UK since the 1980s. But the tradition of visiting houses to collect goodies at Halloween goes back to the 16th century. Some historians believe it dates back as far as 9th century Celtic Britain and Ireland.
Naturally, children love to dress up and collect sweets, chocolate, and other goodies. Though if you want an alternative to sugary treats for your little ones, our Smart Snacks range is perfect. We’ve already picked our favourites to make it easier for you.
What about dress-up ideas for Halloween? There’s no rule to say that Halloween costumes always have to be wicked witches, vampires or ghosts. Why not dust off a previous World Book Day costume?
You’ll also find pumpkins in all the UK supermarkets at Halloween too. Why not check out our helpful guide on how to make a Halloween pumpkin. You'll also find useful tips on what to do with your pumpkin afterwards. For example, you could bake a pumpkin pie or pretend you’re mixing up a potion with some yummy pumpkin soup. It’s a great way to make sure no pumpkin goes to waste – plus, it’s delicious too!
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How is Halloween celebrated around the world?
The 31st of October is also celebrated by people in different countries and cultures, all over the world. Here are some examples:
Halloween in Spain, Mexico & Latin America
In Spain, Mexico and parts of Latin America, Halloween is a colourful three-day celebration. It’s known as a festival called El Día de los Muertos (The Day of the Dead). But don’t worry, it’s not as scary as it sounds! People celebrate the lives of their relatives who are no longer here. They bake bread, sweet cakes and treats, and light candles to help guide their loved ones back home. Want to learn more about this tradition? Check out the animated film Book of Life, a family-friendly Halloween film.
Halloween in the USA and Canada
In the United States of America, Halloween decorations are common all throughout October. And many shops are full of Halloween decorations especially for the occasion. In fact, Americans are known as some of the biggest spenders in the world when it comes to spooky decorations.
Trick-or-treating is a hugely popular activity for American children too. Some dress up as witches, ghosts, mummies, and other monsters to scare their neighbours in exchange for sweets. But in the US, anything goes — lots of children dress up as superheroes, cartoon characters and princesses!
Did You Know?
- It’s a popular holiday for adults too, and even local news readers dress in costumes to report the news!
- Canadians celebrate Halloween in a similar way. Kids dress up to go trick-or-treating and many people carve pumpkins.
- But for Canadians, Halloween decorations are more traditional. While they decorate their homes with pumpkins, they also use corn stalks. This is a tradition which began with Scottish immigrants moving to the country in the 1700s.
Halloween in Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe
A unique tradition on Halloween night that takes place in Eastern Europe is to place chairs by the fireside. Each chair stands for a different family member, including those who are no longer here. It is believed that the spirits of past loved ones appreciate a comfortable chair after their long journey.
Halloween in Austria and Belgium
In Austria, before going to bed on Halloween night, some people leave out a glass of water and some bread. A lamp is also left on. The night of Halloween is one that Austrians associate with magic. The bread, water and light are meant to welcome friendly spirits.
Like many other Europeans, some Belgians believe in the superstition that if a black cat crosses your path, it is unlucky. As well as enjoying Halloween activities like carving pumpkins and dressing up, another custom in Belgium is to light candles in memory of loved ones.
Halloween in South Korea and Japan
In Asian countries, Halloween is quite different. For instance, in South Korea, a festival with Halloween-like origins takes place in September. This is known as Chuseok (추석), and it is a celebration of autumn beginning. Fruit and rice cakes are given to relatives as thanks for their hard work. South Koreans do celebrate Halloween with decorations, but trick or treating is not a tradition there.
In Japan, in the capital city Tokyo, people flock to the streets in an area called Shibuya every Halloween. This area is famous for Shibuya Crossing, which is the world’s busiest crossing! The roads in Shibuya are closed so that a huge outdoor Halloween party can take place. The area is full of people in costumes dancing and celebrating. We think it sounds incredible!
Get Halloween-ready!
We hope all these fun facts about Halloween have inspired you and your little ones. Why not put on your witch’s and wizard’s hats and follow our guide to making your own pumpkin. You can also check out our fun alternatives to trick or treating.
What's your favourite Halloween celebration tradition? Follow Learning Resources on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and let us know.
Happy Halloween!
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