Halloween History
Cultural Halloween Traditions
Modern Halloween
All Saints Day/All Souls
100

This ancient Celtic festival, celebrated on October 31st, is believed to be the origin of Halloween.

What is Samhain?

100

In Japan, Halloween celebrations focus less on trick-or-treating and more on these types of public gatherings, especially in Tokyo’s Shibuya district.

What are costume parades or street parties?

100

This candy is the most popular Halloween candy.

What is Reese's Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter Cups?

100

All Saints Day is celebrated on this date each yea

What is November 1st?

200

Irish immigrants brought the tradition of carving vegetable to North America, though they originally used these.

What are turnips?

200

In Mexico, families celebrate a multi-day event that includes November 1st and 2nd to honor loved ones.

What is Día de los Muertos?

200

In this year, "trick or treat" first used in the US.

What is 1997?

200

All Saints Day is also commonly referred to by this name in many English-speaking countries.

What is All Hallows' Day?

300

This Roman festival, honoring the goddess of the harvest, was later blended with Samhain traditions to form Halloween.

What is the festival of Pomona?

300

In Romania, people celebrate Halloween with vampire-themed parties and tours, especially in this famous historical figure’s castle.

Who is Vlad the Impaler (or Dracula)?

300

This costume item is one of the most popular and has been worn by both children and adults for decades.

What is a witch hat?

300

This Catholic prayer is often said in memory of saints on All Saints Day.

What is the Litany of the Saints?

400

In the Middle Ages, this practice involved dressing up to scare away evil spirits on Halloween.

What is “mumming” or “guising”?

400

In Germany, it is common to hide knives on Halloween night. This is done for this purpose.

What is to prevent returning spirits from getting hurt?

400

With Halloween spending in the U.S. often reaching billions, these two items rank as the top-selling decorations.

What are pumpkins and skeletons?

400

In the Philippines, the All Souls Day celebration, known locally as this, involves family gatherings, prayers, and lighting candles at gravesites.

What is Undas?

500

This practice, originating in medieval England, involved the poor going door-to-door to receive food in exchange for prayers

What is “souling”?

500

This Chinese celebration, where people light lanterns to guide the spirits of ancestors, is becoming less popular than Halloween.

What is the Hungry Ghost Festival?

500

According to the National Retail Federation, this item ranks as the most popular pet costume for Halloween.

What is a pumpkin?

500

In Italy, this pastry is traditionally made to honor All Souls Day, resembling the bones of the dead.

What are “Ossi dei Morti” (Bones of the Dead)?