Halloween Day 2024: History, Date, Significance

Halloween is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October each year. It is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. The celebration is also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve. This eve of the Christian festival traditionally had two chief characteristics; the lightening of bonfires and the belief that all ghosts and witches are most likely to wander during this night. Halloween marks the end of the harvest festival and beginning of winter. Let’s find out more about Halloween’s origin, popular activities, movies, and more.   

Halloween Day Origin 

Halloween is the first day of Allhallowtide, observed on 31st October. In some traditions, Allhallowtide is a three-day celebration, from 31st October to 2nd November. The origin of Halloween goes as far as the 7th century CE. Pope Boniface VI started the All Saint’s Day on May 13. The celebrations first started in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. However, the pagan holiday was moved to 1st November due to a Christian observance. The evening before All Saint’s Day became a holy, or hallowed eve, from which the word “Halloween” emerged.  

By the end of the Medieval period, the secular and sacred days had merged. It was the Irish who brought Halloween from Europe to North America in the 1800s. The Irish immigrants took their Halloween customs with them, and by 20^th century, it become one of the popular US holidays.  

Why Do We Celebrate Halloween? 

Halloween used to be a religious festival about a thousand years ago. With time, it became increasingly secular until its religious trappings disappeared. Today, Halloween is considered a holiday for fun and dress-up.  

Halloween has its origin with the ancient Celtic festival, called Samhain. It was believed that on this day, the souls of the dead returned to their homes. To ward off the spirits people dressed in costumes and lit bonfires. With time, popular tropes like ghosts, witches, and goblins become associated with Halloween. 

Halloween Activities 2024 

We all have seen the classic Halloween activities of trick-or-treating, costume parties, carving pumpkins, or turnips into jack-o’-lanterns, divination games, scary storytelling, etc. Let’s explore some popular Halloween activities:  

Trick-or’-treating 

This is a classical Halloween activity where kids, and sometimes adults, go door-to-door in their neighborhood, and collect candies and sweets. The “treat” includes the candies/ sweets/ money. The “trick” refers to a threat to perform a mischief on the house or its owner if no treat is given.  

Halloween Costume Parties 

Halloween costume parties are one of the most popular activities of this celebration. It’s an opportunity to show your creativity and dress like someone for this special evening. You can dress like a superhero, monster, witch, or your neighbor. There are costume contests with prizes for the most attractive, scariest, or funniest outfits. 

Pumpkin Carvings and Jack-o’-Lanterns 

Carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns is one of the most iconic activities during Halloween. It started in Ireland, where turnips or potatoes were carved with faces, designed to ward off evil spirits. When the Irish came to America, they found the pumpkins were larger and easier to carve. Today, pumpkin carving has evolved into an art form, with people creating intricate designs, from simple spooky faces to elaborate works of art. Carved pumpkins are usually lit with a candle and put out on porches or windowsills to shine through the night. 

Hunted Trails and Corn Mazes 

If you’re a thrill-seeker and craving a spooky experience, then corn mazes as well as haunted trails are the ideal Halloween activities for you. Not only do they provide excitement, but also they immerse you in an eerie atmosphere that heightens the suspense. Moreover, these activities offer a thrilling challenge while keeping you entertained. In addition, the unexpected twists and turns of corn mazes combined with the jump scares on haunted trails create an unforgettable experience. Ultimately, if you’re seeking an adrenaline rush this Halloween, these spooky adventures are a must.

Horror Movie Marathons 

If you don’t like stepping out and want to set the Halloween mood, then how about a horror movie marathon? It is the perfect excuse to binge-watch your favorite scary movies. Some people also host movie nights at home. Popular films like Halloween, The Exorcist, and The Conjuring are Halloween night favorites. 

Top 10 Halloween Costumes 2024 

Everybody wants to look attractive this Halloween and wear their best spooky costume. Here are the top 10 Halloween costumes for your next spooky party. 

• • Laundry Machine and Dryer 

• • Scrub Daddy 

• • Tennis Players 

• • Elphaba and Glinda from ‘Wicked’ 

• • Dunkings 

• • Ladybug and Daddy Long Legs 

• • Barbie and Ken 

• • Mario and Luigi 

• • Tanya from While Lotus 

• • Eror 404 Costume 

Top 10 Halloween Movies 2024 

Want to watch something scary with your friends this Halloween? Here are the top 10 Halloween movies for you. 

• • Blink Twice – Apply TV 

• • Alien: Covenant – Disney + Hotstar 

• • It – Netflix/ Prime 

• • Goosebumps – Apple TV/ Prime 

• • Halloween – Netflix/ Apple TV/ Prime 

• • Barbarian – Netflix/ Apple TV/ Prime 

• • The Conjuring – Netflix/ Apple TV/ Prime 

• • Hereditary – Prime 

• • Don’t Breathe – Apple TV/ Prime 

• • The Nun – Apple TV/ Prime 

Halloween Celebrations at Different Places 

Hallow celebrations are not same for all the cities and countries where it is celebrated. Popular Halloween celebrations and carnivals are organized in the USA, Ireland, UK, Australia, France, South Korea, other countries. 

Halloween Festival Florida 

• • Chumlee Park Halloween Festival – 11^th October 2024 

• • Orlando Halloween Fest – 19^th October 2024 

• • Hulaween, Live Oak – 24^th October 2024 

• • Halloween Festival, Hallandale Beach – 31^st October 

Halloween Festival California 

• • Spooktacular Halloween Family Festival, Ferndale – 13^th October 2024

• • Eek!Vale Halloween Festival, Corona – 19^th October 2024 

• • Escape Halloween, San Bernardino – 25^th October 2024 

• • Anaheim Fall Festival & Halloween Parade, Anaheim – 26^th October 2024 

Halloween Festival New York 

• • Halloween Dinner Cruise, New York – 19^th October 2024  

• • New York Halloween Weekend Bar Crawl, New York – 19^th October 2024 

• • Bay Ridge Halloween Festival, Brooklyn – 26^th October 2024 

• • Halloween Party New York, Elmhurst – 31^st October 2024 

Halloween Festival Massachusetts 

• • Salem Hunted Happening, Salem – 13^th October 2024 

• • The Wicked Halloween Weekend, Middleborough – 18^th October 2024 

• • The Great Halloween Festival, Seekonk – 20^th October 2024 

• • The Official Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, Salem – 25^th October 2024 

Conlusion 

Although it originated in Europe, Halloween is now celebrated worldwide with great enthusiasm. Therefore, whether you’re dressing up as a witch, a superhero, or even something entirely different, Halloween is a time to embrace the excitement. Furthermore, it’s a chance to connect with others and make unforgettable memories. In the end, this festive occasion brings people together in a spirit of fun and creativity.

Also Read:- Spooky Halloween Traditions around the World