Every year on October 31, millions across Europe and the United States dress in spooky costumes and carve pumpkins for Halloween. But where does this celebration come from, and why does it endure? Behind the candy and costumes lies a history stretching back thousands of years — to the Celtic festival of Samhain.
For the Celts, Samhain was one of the most significant pagan festivals. Held between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice, it marked the end of the harvest and the beginning of the “dark half” of the year. The word Samhain means “summer’s end” in Gaelic. Celts believed that on this night, spirits of the dead returned to the world of the living. To ward off evil entities, people wore disguises, lit massive bonfires, and offered sacrifices.
Good spirits, however, were welcomed — tables were set for them to bless the harvest. These customs reflected a deep reverence for nature’s cycles and the thin veil between life and death.
In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as All Saints’ Day, a day to honor saints and martyrs. To ease the transition from pagan to Christian practices, elements of Samhain were incorporated. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, later shortened to Halloween.
From Europe to America
In the 19th century, the tradition crossed the Atlantic. The Irish Potato Famine of 1846 drove thousands of Irish families to America, bringing Halloween customs with them. People would visit homes reciting poems or songs in exchange for food. Over time, this evolved into the modern “Trick or Treat” ritual, with children dressing up in spooky outfits and collecting candy from neighbors.
The Mexican Connection: DÃa de los Muertos
Around the same period, Mexico celebrates its own version of honoring the dead — the Day of the Dead (DÃa de los Muertos) — from October 31 to November 2. Unlike Halloween, this festival is not about fear but remembrance. Families gather in cemeteries, decorate altars, and celebrate the lives of loved ones who have passed.
The pumpkin plays a central role here as well. Native to Mexico and dating back 7,500 years, it was a vital part of the ancient diet. Spaniards later spread it across the globe. Today, the traditional sweet “Calabaza en Tacha” — pumpkin simmered with raw cane sugar, guava, and cinnamon — remains a beloved symbol of the celebration.
Both Halloween and DÃa de los Muertos remind us that behind every mask and candlelit altar lies humanity’s timeless attempt to understand mortality — and to keep the memory of the departed alive.