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The spookiest night of the year is fast approaching – so we hope you’ve got your pumpkins carved and costumes at the ready.
Yep, that’s right – Halloween is nearly here, and legions of people around the world are gearing up to go trick or treating this week.
Nowadays, the festival has become a byword for plastic decorations, costumes, picking pumpkins and partying, along with the aforementioned annual trick or treat tradition.
But origins of Halloween are somewhat rather more ancient and mysterious, with the festival dating back hundreds of years.
So where did Halloween come from, what does Halloween mean and why do we celebrate it? Here’s the lowdown.
What day does Halloween 2019 fall on?
Traditionally known as All Hallows’ Evening, Halloween 2019 falls on Thursday, October 31.
It is always held on the eve of the Christian festival of All Saints’ Day on November 1, and marks the start of the three-day observance of Allhallowtide which ends with All Souls’ Day on November 2.
What is Halloween and where did it come from?
European in origin, Halloween dates back to the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, which was a day held to honour the end of the harvest season and means “summer’s end”.
It is thought the Pagan Samhain was Christianised into Halloween by the early church, and modern day customs have their roots in early folklore, Pagan beliefs and early Christianity.
The word Halloween itself is a Scottish term for All Hallows Eve – basically, the evening before All Saints’ Day.
Historically Gaels thought the walls between the spiritual realm and our world were thin. In order to protect their crops, they would set up places at their dinner tables for good spirits and light bonfires to scare off evil spirits.
Trick or treating and dressing up came from 16th century Ireland, Scotland and Wales. People would ask for food in exchange for a poem or song. People dressed up in scary costumes and impersonated the souls of the dead to protect themselves.
Why do we celebrate Halloween in the UK?
Halloween became commercialised over time from the influences of pop culture and is celebrated by both children and adults, whether they are going to parties or carving pumpkins.
Trick or treating was coined by the Americans, who evolved the British tradition of “souling” or “guising” to the main event for children as we know it today.
What Halloween events are going on?
As the only day of the year where we have a real excuse to go all out with the fancy dress, lots of people will be heading out trick or treating and to Halloween parties.
There’s a whole host of club nights and Halloween parties happening in London throughout the week, and if clubbing isn’t your scene, there’s a whole host of other Halloween events for you to get involved in this year.
If you want to stay out of the eerie events, but still get into the spooky spirit, here’s our list of the best Halloween horror films of all time.
