Halloween Traditions
Fall Foods
Superstitions & Symbols
Spooky Movies
Haunted Places
Candy Facts
100
What does the word “Halloween” mean?
“Hallow’s Eve” or “All Hallows’ Evening”
Fun Fact: The word “Hallow” means “holy person” or “saint.”
100
What is the name of the Italian rice dish, often made with pumpkin or squash in the fall, that is cooked slowly with broth until creamy?
Risotto
Fun Fact: Risotto is a staple of Northern Italian cuisine, and pumpkin risotto is a popular autumn variation.
100
What is the superstition about walking under this object, which is said to bring bad luck?
Ladder
Fun Fact: The superstition may come from the triangle shape formed by a ladder, which was considered sacred in ancient Egypt.
100
What 2017 horror film is based on a Stephen King novel and features a terrifying clown named Pennywise?
It
Fun Fact: Bill Skarsgård played Pennywise, and the film became the highest-grossing horror movie of all time at over $700 million worldwide.
While It holds the record for highest unadjusted box office gross for a horror film, The Exorcist (1973) remains the highest-grossing horror film of all time when adjusted for inflation.
100
Which famous haunted prison is located on an island in San Francisco Bay?
Alcatraz
Fun Fact: Alcatraz Island was a federal prison until 1963 and is now a popular tourist destination, with many reports of ghostly encounters.
100
What is the most popular Halloween candy in the United States, according to sales?
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
Fun Fact: Reese’s were created by H.B. Reese, a former Hershey employee.
200
What vegetable was originally used to carve jack-o’-lanterns before pumpkins?
Turnips
Fun Fact: Irish immigrants switched to pumpkins in America because they were larger and easier to carve.
200
What is the name of the French dish made with thinly sliced potatoes, cream, and cheese, often served in the fall?
Gratin Dauphinois
Fun Fact: Gratin Dauphinois is a classic comfort food in France, especially popular during colder months.
200
Which bird’s call is considered an omen of death in some cultures?
Owl
Fun Fact: In ancient Rome, the hoot of an owl was believed to predict imminent death.
200
Which 1984 film features ghosts being captured in New York City?
Ghostbusters
Fun Fact: The Stay Puft Marshmallow Man was created specifically for the film.
200
What is the name of the infamous haunted hotel in Colorado that inspired Stephen King’s "The Shining"?
The Stanley Hotel
Fun Fact: Stephen King stayed at The Stanley Hotel in 1974, which inspired the Overlook Hotel in his novel.
It's located in the Rocky Mountains and offers ghost tours year-round!
200
What is the main flavor of classic candy corn?
Honey
Fun Fact: Candy corn was invented in the 1880s by George Renninger.
Also, it was originally called "Chicken Feed" and used to feature a rooster on the box to match the name.
300
In which country did Halloween originate?
Ireland
Fun Fact: The Irish brought Halloween traditions to the United States in the 19th century.
300
Which type of mushroom, highly prized and harvested in the fall, is known for its pungent aroma and is often used in Italian cuisine?
White truffle (Tuber magnatum)
Fun Fact: White truffles are among the most expensive foods in the world, sometimes selling for thousands of dollars per pound.
300
Which color is often worn to ward off evil spirits during Halloween in Western cultures?
Orange
Fun Fact: Orange symbolizes fire and is thought to protect against evil.
300
Which 1999 film popularized the “found footage” horror genre?
The Blair Witch Project
Fun Fact: The film’s marketing campaign convinced many viewers it was real.
300
In which U.S. state would you visit the Eastern State Penitentiary, known for its ghost tours?
Pennsylvania
Fun Fact: Eastern State Penitentiary is in Philadelphia and is a popular Halloween destination.
300
Which candy, introduced in 1921, is known for its chewy texture and was originally called “Opal Fruits” in the UK?
Starburst
Fun Fact: Starburst was renamed from Opal Fruits to unify branding worldwide in 1998.
300
What is the name of the Celtic festival that Halloween is based on?
Samhain
Fun Fact: Samhain marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter in Celtic culture.
300
What is the name of the traditional Native American dish made from dried corn, beans, and squash, often called the “Three Sisters”?
Succotash
Fun Fact: The “Three Sisters” planting method was used by indigenous peoples to sustain soil health and provide balanced nutrition.
300
In Chinese culture, which number is considered extremely unlucky because it sounds like the word for “death”?
4
Fun Fact: Many buildings in China skip the fourth floor, similar to how Western buildings skip the 13th.
300
Which 1982 film features a haunted television and the famous line, “They’re here”?
Poltergeist
Fun Fact: The movie was produced by Steven Spielberg and is known for its rumored “curse.”
300
What haunted ship, now a hotel and museum, is docked in Long Beach, California?
The Queen Mary
Fun Fact: The Queen Mary sailed the North Atlantic before becoming a famous haunted attraction.
300
What is the name of the candy invented in 1941 that was designed to allow soldiers to carry chocolate without it melting?
M&M’s
Fun Fact: The candy’s hard shell was inspired by a similar treat eaten by soldiers during the Spanish Civil War.
400
What ancient practice involved dressing in costumes and going door-to-door for food or money, which evolved into trick-or-treating?
Mumming or guising
Fun Fact: In Scotland and Ireland, children would perform songs or tricks in exchange for treats.
400
What is the name of the Italian dessert made from cooked grape must, typically prepared during the fall grape harvest?
Saba (or Mostarda d’uva)
Fun Fact: Saba is a sweet syrup used in desserts and as a condiment, dating back to Roman times.
400
Which Halloween decoration, if seen in your home, is considered a sign of good luck because it represents protection from evil spirits?
Spider or spider web
Fun Fact: In some cultures, spiders are seen as protectors, and finding a spider on Halloween is thought to mean a loved one is watching over you.
400
What is the name of the demon in "The Exorcist"?
Pazuzu
Fun Fact: The demon’s name is only revealed in the sequel, "The Exorcist II: The Heretic."
400
Which battlefield in Pennsylvania is famous for ghost sightings and Civil War history?
Gettysburg
Fun Fact: Gettysburg Battlefield is one of the most visited historic sites in the U.S.
400
Which candy, originally created as a cough drop in the 1930s, is now a popular hard candy with a variety of fruit flavors?
Jolly Rancher
Fun Fact: The name “Jolly Rancher” was chosen to evoke a friendly, Western image.
500
Which U.S. state was the first to officially recognize Halloween as a holiday?
Minnesota
Fun Fact: Minnesota declared Halloween an official holiday in 1921, helping popularize the celebration across the country.
500
What is the name of the Japanese festival food made from grilled sweet potatoes, popular in autumn?
Yaki Imo
Fun Fact: Yaki Imo vendors sell roasted sweet potatoes from trucks in Japan, especially during the fall.
500
According to Halloween superstition, which vegetable was originally carved and used as a lantern to ward off evil spirits in Ireland before pumpkins became popular in America?
Turnip
Fun Fact: Irish immigrants brought the tradition of carving turnips to America, where pumpkins were more plentiful and easier to carve, leading to the modern jack-o’-lantern.
500
Which 2013 film, based on the real-life paranormal investigations of Ed and Lorraine Warren, launched a successful horror franchise?
The Conjuring
Fun Fact: The Conjuring universe includes spin-offs like “Annabelle” and “The Nun.
500
Which island near Venice, Italy, is known for being haunted and was once used as a quarantine station?
Poveglia Island
Fun Fact: Poveglia Island is currently abandoned and closed to visitors.
500
Which candy, shaped like tiny pumpkins and made from the same ingredients as candy corn, is often found in mixed Halloween candy bags?
Mellowcreme Pumpkins
Fun Fact: Mellowcreme pumpkins are a seasonal favorite and are produced by the same companies that make candy corn.