The stories behind the season.
Trace Halloween’s origins, its familiar symbols and the customs that connect one generation to the next.
Choose a guide
Search by title, subject or keyword.
5 articles
5 guides in this topic
The Origins of Halloween
How Halloween grew from the Celtic festival of Samhain, the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and Irish immigrant customs into today's celebration.
Why Do We Celebrate Halloween on October 31?
Why Halloween falls on October 31: the eve of All Saints' Day, Celtic sunset-to-sunset days, failed campaigns to move it, and what the date means in 2026.
The Story of the Jack-o'-Lantern
The story of the jack-o'-lantern: the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, carved turnip lanterns, and how immigrants turned the American pumpkin into Halloween's icon.
Trick-or-Treating Explained
Trick-or-treating explained: from medieval souling and Scottish guising to the first printed 'trick or treat' in 1927, the 1950s boom and trunk-or-treats.
Ghosts, Witches and Black Cats
The folklore behind Halloween symbols: why ghosts wear sheets, where the witch's pointed hat came from, and why black cats are unlucky : or lucky.
Try a different word or topic
Use a shorter search, choose another category, or reset the filters.