Halloween is one of the world’s most beloved holidays — a night of costumes, candy, and spooky fun. But beyond trick-or-treating and haunted houses, Halloween has a rich history filled with surprising traditions, cultural twists, and fun trivia.

Here are 25 fun facts about Halloween that you might not know.

Origins and History

1. Halloween comes from Samhain. The holiday traces back over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, marking the end of harvest and the start of winter.
2. It was once called All Hallows’ Eve. The Christian church adapted Samhain, and the night became “All Hallows’ Eve,” later shortened to Halloween.
3. Bonfires were central to early celebrations. Ancient Celts lit huge bonfires to ward off spirits and celebrate the harvest.
4. Trick-or-treating has medieval roots. The practice comes from “souling,” when the poor went door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food.
5. The first Halloween costumes were disguises from ghosts. People wore masks to avoid being recognized by wandering spirits.

Pumpkins and Jack-o’-Lanterns

6. Jack-o’-lanterns were originally made from turnips. In Ireland, people carved faces into turnips or beets before pumpkins became popular in America.
7. The world’s largest pumpkin weighed over 2,700 pounds. Grown in Italy in 2021, it broke the Guinness World Record.
8. Pumpkins are native to North America. That’s why they became the go-to Halloween decoration in the U.S.
9. The name “jack-o’-lantern” comes from folklore. It refers to “Stingy Jack,” a man who tricked the Devil and was doomed to wander with only a carved lantern.
10. Pumpkin carving contests are big business. Some competitive pumpkin carvers can sculpt one in less than 15 minutes.

Candy and Sweets

11. Halloween is the second-biggest holiday for candy sales in the U.S. Only Christmas edges it out.
12. Americans spend over $3 billion on Halloween candy annually. That’s billions of fun-size bars!
13. Candy corn was originally called “chicken feed.” It was created in the 1880s and marketed as a cheap snack for farmers.
14. Reese’s is the most popular Halloween candy. Consistently topping surveys, peanut butter + chocolate reigns supreme.
15. There’s a candy tax history. In the 1960s, U.S. states debated how Halloween candy should be taxed — as food or as luxury goods.

Costumes and Celebrations

16. Pets now celebrate Halloween too. Americans spend nearly $500 million annually on costumes for pets.
17. The most popular adult costumes are witches and vampires. Year after year, these classics remain favorites.
18. Superheroes dominate kids’ costumes. Spiderman, Batman, and princesses often top the lists.
19. Haunted attractions are big business. The U.S. has more than 1,200 commercial haunted houses open each October.
20. The Village Halloween Parade in New York City is the largest in the U.S. Over 50,000 costumed participants join.

Halloween Around the World

21. Mexico celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Though separate from Halloween, it shares themes of honoring the dead.
22. In Scotland and Ireland, kids still go “guising.” They perform tricks, songs, or jokes before getting treats.
23. Japan has embraced Halloween parades. Shibuya in Tokyo is famous for massive street gatherings every year.
24. Germany has a shoe tradition. Families hide knives on Halloween night to protect spirits from harm.
25. In the Philippines, children celebrate Pangangaluluwa. They go door-to-door singing for the souls of the dead in exchange for food.

Final Thoughts

Halloween is more than just costumes and candy — it’s a holiday filled with fascinating traditions, quirky history, and global twists. Whether you’re carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating, or enjoying spooky stories, these fun facts add a new layer of appreciation to October 31st.