Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival called Samhain, celebrated around November 1, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead became thin, allowing spirits to return to Earth. To protect themselves, people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off roaming ghosts and evil spirits. The festival included mystical rituals that evolved into modern Halloween traditions such as wearing disguises and lighting jack-o’-lanterns, initially carved from turnips. In the 8th century, the Christian church incorporated Samhain traditions by designating November 1 as All Saints’ Day (All Hallows’ Day) and the night before as All Hallows’ Eve, later called Halloween. Over time, Halloween became less about religious observance and more about fun activities like trick-or-treating, spooky costumes, and pumpkin carving. Irish immigrants brought these customs to the United States in the 19th century, popularizing Halloween as a day of seasonal celebration and playful fright.

Thus, Halloween is celebrated to mark seasonal change, remember the dead, and enjoy a festive, spooky tradition rooted in ancient belief and adapted through religious and cultural history.