Halloween

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It is at the beginning of the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the Christian liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed. In popular culture, Halloween has become a celebration of horror and is associated with the macabre and the supernatural. One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain,... Wikipedia

  • Also called:  Hallowe'en, Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, All Saints' Eve
  • Observed by:  Western Christians and many non-Christians around the world
  • Type:  Christian, cultural
  • Significance:  First day of Allhallowtide
  • Celebrations:  Trick-or-treating, costume parties, making jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, divination, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions
  • Observances:  Church services, prayer, fasting, vigil
  • Date:  31 October
  • date:  31 October
  • Frequency:  Annual
  • Related to:  Samhain, Hop-tu-Naa, Calan Gaeaf, Allantide, Day of the Dead, All Saints' Day, St. Martin's Day, Reformation Day, Mischief Night (cf. vigil)