Halloween

Halloween History

Halloween is a popular seasonal event primarily observed in Western countries, characterized by various traditions and customs related to spooky themes, costumes, and, often, the commemoration of the deceased. As an observance, it has evolved over centuries into a celebration that combines elements of ancient pagan festivals and later religious practices but now is mainly seen as a fun, family-oriented occasion. Both children and adults typically participate in activities such as dressing up in costumes, attending parties, carving jack-o'-lanterns, and trick-or-treating.

The origin of Halloween dates back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival known as Samhain, an occasion that marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the dark, colder months ahead. With the spread of Christianity, some of the Samhain customs merged with Christian rituals, predominantly the festivals of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day, celebrated during the first two days of November. Nowadays, European Union countries have unique activities, foods, and customs associated with the observance, reflecting the rich cultural diversity in the region.

Halloween is observed differently in the European Union, depending on the country and even the region within a country. EU citizens are familiar with costume parties, themed events, and unique Halloween decorations. While less widespread than in North America, trick-or-treating is becoming increasingly popular among children. Additionally, there are still some traditional European customs, such as All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day celebrations, where people visit the graves of deceased relatives and light candles in their memory. Halloween is held annually on the night of October 31st, with the festivities often continuing into the early hours of November 1st.

Halloween facts & quotes

• According to Google Trends’ , the top Halloween costumes of 2023 include Barbie, Spiderman, and Wednesday Addams from The Addams Family.
• In early Celtic celebrations, turnips or other root vegetables were used in place of pumpkins. A burning lump of coal was placed inside the hollowed out vegetable and carried during the festivities.
• In medieval England, the tradition of souling was practiced on All Hallows’ Eve. Poor people would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in return for soul cakes, which were sweet pastries that represented the souls of the dead.
• Different European countries have their own unique customs related to Halloween. In Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween, people traditionally prepare barnbrack, a type of fruitcake that contains hidden surprises. In Italy, families prepare a feast for the departed ones on All Saints' Day, which is the day after Halloween.

In the News and Trending in the EU for Halloween

Top things to do in the EU for Halloween

• Dress up in your favorite costume.
• Go trick-or-treating.
• Sharing scary stories or reading horror novels is a prevalent Halloween activity in many European households. Gather around a cozy fire, turn off the lights, and let the spooky tales begin!
• Many people enjoy baking Halloween-themed treats at home. Popular choices include spooky-shaped cookies, cupcakes, or themed desserts with pumpkin flavors.