Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st, the eve of All Saints Day, a day in which Christians remember and honor the dead. The origins of Halloween can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival known as Samhain, which was held on November 1st in contemporary calendars. It was believed that on that day, the souls of the dead returned to their homes, so people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires to ward off spirits. Over time, Halloween became increasingly secular, and today it is considered a holiday for dress-up and fun, especially for children. Some of the popular Halloween traditions include:
- Trick-or-treating: Children dress up in costume and solicit treats from neighbors.
- Carving pumpkins: Jack-o-lanterns are carved from pumpkins and lit with candles.
- Wearing costumes: People dress up in costumes, often featuring popular Halloween tropes such as witches, ghosts, and goblins.
- Lighting bonfires: People set bonfires on hilltops to relight their hearth fires for the winter and to frighten away evil spirits.
- Playing pranks: Halloween has a long history of good-natured mischief, such as the pre-Halloween tradition known as "Devils Night".
- Eating candy: Halloween is one of the biggest holidays for candy sales in the United States.
Halloween has evolved over time, and its traditions have been shaped by secular pop culture through the ages. Today, it is a time for fun and celebration, and people of all ages enjoy dressing up, decorating their homes, and indulging in sweet treats.