| Halloween | |
|---|---|
| Observed by | United States and other countries |
| Type | Cultural |
| Date | October 31 |
| Scheduling | Same day each year |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Duration | 1 night |
| Celebrates | Costume parties, trick-or-treating, and spooky traditions |
Halloween is a cultural celebration observed in the United States on October 31 each year. Known for costumes, candy, and spooky themes, it is one of the most anticipated and commercially successful holidays in the country.
Origins
Halloween has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. It was believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred.
Later, the Christian observance of All Hallows’ Eve — the night before All Saints’ Day — influenced modern Halloween traditions.
Popular Traditions
- Trick-or-treating – Children wear costumes and go door-to-door for candy
- Costume parties – People dress up as anything from spooky characters to pop culture icons
- Pumpkin carving – Jack-o'-lanterns are placed on porches and windows
- Haunted houses and horror movie marathons
- Decorating homes with spider webs, skeletons, ghosts, and more
Family Activities
Halloween is widely celebrated by families through:
- School and community events
- Pumpkin patches and hayrides
- Costume contests
- Halloween-themed baking and crafts
Safety Tips
Due to the nighttime nature of Halloween, parents and guardians are advised to:
- Check candy before consumption
- Use reflective gear or flashlights
- Supervise younger children during trick-or-treating
Economic Impact
- Halloween generates over $10 billion annually in the U.S.
- Top spending categories include:
- Candy - Costumes (for kids, adults, and pets) - Decorations
Fun Facts
- The most popular candy includes Reese’s, Snickers, and Candy Corn
- Over 150 million Americans participate in Halloween annually
- The largest pumpkin ever carved weighed over 2,300 pounds