Where does Halloween come from?

Halloween began as Samhain, the Celtic festival that marked the end of harvest and the thinning of the veil between worlds, celebrated with bonfires and costumes.

Why is Halloween on October 31?

It is the eve of All Saints' Day (November 1), a Christian feast also called All Hallows' Day, so the night before became 'All Hallows' Evening' — Halloween.

Who brought the jack-o'-lantern to America?

Irish and Scottish immigrants in the 1800s carried the tradition with them, carving pumpkins instead of the turnips used in Ireland and Scotland.

A brief history

The History of Halloween

Halloween began as the Celtic festival of Samhain, the night when the veil between worlds grew thin, and evolved across centuries into the candy-filled celebration we know today.

~500 BCE

Samhain

Celtic tribes mark the end of harvest and the thinning veil between worlds with bonfires and costumes.

609 CE

All Martyrs' Day

Pope Boniface IV dedicates the Pantheon to Christian martyrs, setting the roots of All Saints' traditions.

1000 CE

All Hallows' Eve

The church moves All Souls' Day to Nov 2; the night before becomes 'All Hallows' Evening' — Halloween.

1800s

Coming to America

Irish and Scottish immigrants carry the traditions — and the jack-o'-lantern — to the United States.

1920s

Trick or Treat

Community Halloween parties tame the pranks, and the phrase 'trick-or-treat' enters the language.

1950s

A family holiday

Costumes, candy, and door-to-door visits make Halloween a nationwide childhood ritual.

Ready to celebrate?

Put that history to use with a costume or a party.

Costume ideas Party plans