Halloween Fun Facts

Over 100 fun facts about Halloween for your enjoyment!

Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated on October 31st each year, primarily in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The holiday has its roots in ancient Celtic and Christian traditions, and it is widely associated with costumes, decorations, and various customs and traditions.

Originally, Halloween was known as “All Hallows’ Eve,” which was the evening before All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday that honors the saints and martyrs of the church. However, the holiday has its roots in pagan Celtic festivals such as Samhain, which celebrated the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.

Today, Halloween is celebrated in a variety of ways. It is commonly associated with dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and decorating homes with spooky and festive decorations such as jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and witches. Halloween parties and events are also popular, often featuring games, music, and other activities that are themed around the holiday.

Overall, Halloween has become a holiday that celebrates imagination, creativity, and fun, and it is a time for people to come together and enjoy the spooky and playful spirit of the season.

To help you celebrate, we’ve created this list of over 100 fun facts about Halloween

Halloween Fun Facts


Table of Contents

Fun Facts About Halloween – About Halloween

Halloween has its roots in ancient Celtic and Christian traditions. The Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced SOW-in) was celebrated on the night of October 31st, marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Samhain was believed to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead was thinnest, and it was a time when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off evil spirits.

When Christianity arrived in the Celtic lands, the holiday was gradually absorbed into Christian traditions. November 1st became All Saints’ Day, a day to honor the saints and martyrs of the church. The night before, which was originally known as All Hallows’ Eve, gradually became Halloween.

Over time, Halloween evolved into a more secular holiday, celebrated with costumes, decorations, and various customs and traditions. Irish immigrants brought Halloween to North America in the 19th century, and over time it became widely celebrated in the United States and Canada.

Today, Halloween is celebrated with a variety of customs and traditions, including dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and decorating homes with spooky and festive decorations such as jack-o-lanterns, ghosts, and witches. Halloween parties and events are also popular, often featuring games, music, and other activities that are themed around the holiday.

Fun Facts About Halloween – 101 Fun Facts

Here are 101 fun facts about Halloween:

  1. Halloween is also known as All Hallows’ Eve, or All Saints’ Eve.
  2. The word “Halloween” is a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve.”
  3. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st each year.
  4. Halloween has its roots in ancient Celtic and Christian traditions.
  5. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
  6. Americans spend an estimated $9 billion on Halloween each year.
  7. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for candy sales.
  8. The most popular Halloween candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
  9. Halloween is also celebrated in other countries, including the UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
  10. The tradition of carving pumpkins comes from Ireland, where people originally carved turnips.
  11. The largest pumpkin ever recorded weighed over 2,600 pounds.
  12. Black and orange are the traditional colors of Halloween.
  13. The original colors of Halloween were black and white.
  14. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for costume rentals.
  15. The first known mention of trick-or-treating in North America was in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.
  16. Trick-or-treating was originally called “souling” in England.
  17. The word “witch” comes from the Old English word “wicce,” which means “wise woman.”
  18. In the Middle Ages, people believed that witches could turn themselves into cats.
  19. The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1692 in Massachusetts.
  20. The first recorded instance of a witch riding on a broomstick was in 1453 in the town of Guiley, France.
  21. The first Halloween greeting card was produced in the early 1900s.
  22. The phrase “trick or treat” first appeared in print in 1927.
  23. In Scotland, people used to carve turnips instead of pumpkins.
  24. The largest pumpkin pie ever made weighed over 3,700 pounds.
  25. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for the occult industry.
  26. The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia.
  27. Halloween is the second highest day of the year for food consumption, after Thanksgiving.
  28. The name Dracula means “son of the dragon.”
  29. The first vampire movie was made in 1922 and was called “Nosferatu.”
  30. The tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween comes from the ancient Celts.
  31. The Celts believed that dressing up as a ghost or monster would allow them to blend in with the spirits that roamed the earth on Halloween.
  32. The word “jack-o-lantern” comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
  33. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for pet costume sales.
  34. The original purpose of Halloween was to ward off evil spirits.
  35. The practice of bobbing for apples dates back to ancient Rome.
  36. The largest Halloween parade in the world takes place in New York City.
  37. The Michael Myers mask in the movie “Halloween” was actually a William Shatner mask painted white.
  38. The first known mention of Halloween in the United States was in 1845.
  39. The tradition of wearing masks on Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic tradition of dressing up as ghosts and spirits.
  40. The tradition of telling ghost stories on Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic tradition of sharing stories about the dead.
  41. In Mexico, Halloween is celebrated as part of the Day of the Dead festival.
  42. The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia, and it is one of the most common phobias.
  43. The fear of Halloween is called samhainophobia.
  44. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
  45. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for candy sales.
  46. The most popular Halloween candy is Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
  47. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for costume rentals.
  48. The first known mention of trick-or-treating in North America was in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.
  49. Trick-or-treating was originally called “souling” in England.
  50. The word “witch” comes from the Old English word “wicce,” which means “wise woman.”
  51. In the Middle Ages, people believed that witches could turn themselves into cats.
  52. The Salem Witch Trials took place in 1692 in Massachusetts.
  53. The first recorded instance of a witch riding on a broomstick was in 1453 in the town of Guiley, France.
  54. The first Halloween greeting card was produced in the early 1900s.
  55. The phrase “trick or treat” first appeared in print in 1927.
  56. In Scotland, people used to carve turnips instead of pumpkins.
  57. The largest pumpkin pie ever made weighed over 3,700 pounds.
  58. Halloween is the second highest day of the year for food consumption, after Thanksgiving.
  59. The name Dracula means “son of the dragon.”
  60. The first vampire movie was made in 1922 and was called “Nosferatu.”
  61. The tradition of wearing costumes on Halloween comes from the ancient Celts.
  62. The Celts believed that dressing up as a ghost or monster would allow them to blend in with the spirits that roamed the earth on Halloween.
  63. The word “jack-o-lantern” comes from an Irish folktale about a man named Stingy Jack.
  64. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for pet costume sales.
  65. The original purpose of Halloween was to ward off evil spirits.
  66. The practice of bobbing for apples dates back to ancient Rome.
  67. The largest Halloween parade in the world takes place in New York City.
  68. The Michael Myers mask in the movie “Halloween” was actually a William Shatner mask painted white.
  69. The first known mention of Halloween in the United States was in 1845.
  70. The tradition of wearing masks on Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic tradition of dressing up as ghosts and spirits.
  71. The tradition of telling ghost stories on Halloween comes from the ancient Celtic tradition of sharing stories about the dead.
  72. In Mexico, Halloween is celebrated as part of the Day of the Dead festival.
  73. The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia, and it is one of the most common phobias.
  74. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for haunted house attractions.
  75. The fear of ghosts is called phasmophobia.
  76. The fear of the dark is called nyctophobia.
  77. The fear of clowns is called coulrophobia.
  78. The fear of zombies is called kinemortophobia.
  79. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for horror movie rentals.
  80. The fear of mummies is called egyptophobia.
  81. The fear of vampires is called sanguivoriphobia.
  82. The fear of werewolves is called lycanthropy.
  83. The fear of witches is called wiccaphobia.
  84. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for pumpkin sales.
  85. The fear of skeletons is called skelephobia.
  86. The fear of demons is called demonophobia
  87. The fear of black cats is called ailurophobia.
  88. The fear of haunted houses is called phasmophobia.
  89. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
  90. Samhain was a celebration of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
  91. The Celts believed that on Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred.
  92. To ward off evil spirits, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes.
  93. Halloween was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 1800s.
  94. The first known use of the phrase “trick or treat” in America was in 1927.
  95. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for the candy industry.
  96. The most popular Halloween costumes for kids are superheroes and princesses.
  97. The most popular Halloween costumes for adults are witches and vampires.
  98. The fear of ghosts is one of the most common phobias.
  99. Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
  100. In some countries, Halloween is called “All Saints’ Eve” or “All Hallows’ Eve.”
  101. The original Jack-o’-Lanterns were made from turnips and potatoes.
  102. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for pumpkin carving.
  103. The fear of death is called thanatophobia.
  104. Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, and candy, but it is also a time to remember the dead and honor the ancestors.

Fun Facts About Halloween – 25 Fun Facts for Kids

Here are 25 fun facts about Halloween that kids might enjoy:

  1. Halloween originated from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
  2. Samhain was a celebration of the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter.
  3. The Celts believed that on Samhain, the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred.
  4. To ward off evil spirits, the Celts would light bonfires and wear costumes.
  5. Halloween was brought to America by Irish immigrants in the 1800s.
  6. The first known use of the phrase “trick or treat” in America was in 1927.
  7. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for the candy industry.
  8. The most popular Halloween costumes for kids are superheroes and princesses.
  9. The fear of ghosts is one of the most common phobias.
  10. The original Jack-o’-Lanterns were made from turnips and potatoes.
  11. Halloween is the busiest day of the year for pumpkin carving.
  12. The fear of death is called thanatophobia.
  13. Black cats are often associated with Halloween, and they were once believed to be witches’ familiars.
  14. The colors of Halloween are orange and black.
  15. Halloween is celebrated on October 31st every year.
  16. The word “Halloween” comes from “All Hallows’ Eve,” which means the evening before All Saints’ Day.
  17. Candy corn was invented in the 1880s.
  18. The fear of spiders is called arachnophobia.
  19. Owls are often associated with Halloween, and they were once believed to be witches in disguise.
  20. Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.
  21. In some countries, Halloween is called “All Saints’ Eve” or “All Hallows’ Eve.”
  22. Halloween is a time for fun, costumes, and candy, but it is also a time to remember the dead and honor the ancestors.
  23. The fear of the dark is called nyctophobia.
  24. In some cultures, people leave food and treats out for the spirits of the dead on Halloween.
  25. Halloween is a great time to dress up, have fun with friends, and make memories that will last a lifetime!

Fun Facts About Halloween – Halloween Legends

There are many legends and stories associated with Halloween, and some of the most famous ones include:

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow: This is a story by Washington Irving about a headless horseman who terrorizes a small town in New York.

The Legend of Dracula: This is a story about a vampire who lives in a castle in Transylvania and preys on unsuspecting victims.

The Legend of Frankenstein: This is a story about a mad scientist who creates a monster out of dead body parts and brings it to life.

The Legend of the Werewolf: This is a story about a person who can transform into a wolf-like creature during a full moon and terrorizes the countryside.

The Legend of the Black Cat: This is a story about a black cat who is believed to bring bad luck or even death.

The Legend of the Witch: This is a story about a woman who practices magic and is believed to have supernatural powers.

The Legend of the Mummy: This is a story about an ancient Egyptian mummy who comes back to life and seeks revenge.

The Legend of the Ghost: This is a story about the spirit of a dead person who haunts a particular place or person.

These legends and stories have been passed down for generations and have become a big part of Halloween folklore. They add to the spooky and mysterious atmosphere of the holiday and make it all the more exciting!

Fun Facts About Halloween – Halloween Traditions

There are many Halloween traditions that are observed around the world. Here are some of the most popular ones:

Trick-or-Treating: Children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door in their neighborhood, saying “Trick or treat!” and collecting candy.

Costume Parties: Halloween is a popular time for parties where guests dress up in costumes, play games, and eat festive foods.

Pumpkin Carving: Carving pumpkins into Jack-o’-Lanterns is a popular Halloween tradition. People often place them on their porch or windowsill to ward off evil spirits.

Haunted Houses: Many cities and towns have haunted houses where visitors can experience scares and thrills.

Apple Bobbing: This is a game where participants try to catch apples in their mouths that are floating in a tub of water.

Watching Scary Movies: Many people enjoy watching horror movies during the Halloween season.

Telling Ghost Stories: Ghost stories are a popular Halloween tradition and often shared around a campfire or in a dark room with friends.

Decorating: Many people decorate their homes with spider webs, skeletons, ghosts, and other spooky decorations.

Dia de los Muertos: This is a Mexican holiday that honors the dead and is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd.

All Saints’ Day: This is a Christian holiday that honors all the saints and is celebrated on November 1st.

These are just a few of the many Halloween traditions that are celebrated around the world. Whether it’s trick-or-treating or carving pumpkins, these traditions help make Halloween a fun and exciting holiday for everyone!

Fun Facts About Halloween – Halloween Around the World

Halloween is celebrated in many countries around the world, but the customs and traditions can vary from place to place. Here are some examples of how Halloween is celebrated in different parts of the world:

United States: Halloween is a big holiday in the United States, where people often decorate their homes, dress up in costumes, and go trick-or-treating.

Canada: Similar to the United States, Halloween is also celebrated in Canada with many of the same traditions.

Mexico: Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday that honors the dead and is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. People build altars, make offerings, and hold processions to honor their loved ones who have passed away.

Ireland: Halloween has its roots in Ireland, where it is known as Samhain. Traditions include carving turnips and lighting bonfires to ward off evil spirits.

England: Halloween is celebrated in England with many of the same traditions as the United States and Canada.

Germany: On Halloween, Germans light candles and leave food and drinks outside their homes to welcome back the spirits of their ancestors.

Austria: People in Austria sometimes leave bread, water, and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed on Halloween night to welcome back the dead.

China: The Chinese celebrate a festival called Teng Chieh on the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, which is similar to Halloween. People make offerings to their ancestors and to the spirits of those who have died.

Japan: The Japanese celebrate the Obon Festival in the summer, during which they honor the spirits of their ancestors. They also light lanterns to guide the spirits back to the spirit world.

These are just a few examples of how Halloween is celebrated around the world. While the customs and traditions may vary, the spirit of the holiday is one of fun, community, and remembering the dead.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Halloween Riddles

Here are a few Halloween riddles for you:

What do you call a ghost with a broken leg?

Answer: A hoblin goblin.

What kind of music do mummies listen to?

Answer: Wrap music.

What do you get when you cross a ghost and a snowman?

Answer: Frostbite.

Why did the girl break up with the vampire?

Answer: Because he was a pain in the neck.

Why did the skeleton go to the party alone?

Answer: Because he had no body to go with him.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Halloween Symbols

There are several symbols associated with Halloween, including:

Jack-o’-lanterns: These carved pumpkins are a popular symbol of Halloween. Originally, turnips and potatoes were used to make lanterns, but pumpkins became popular in North America.

Bats: Bats are often associated with Halloween because they are nocturnal creatures and are sometimes seen as spooky or scary.

Black cats: Black cats are also a common symbol of Halloween. In some cultures, black cats are considered to be bad luck, which adds to their association with the holiday.

Ghosts: Ghosts are a classic Halloween symbol. They are often depicted as white, floating shapes that are transparent or partially transparent.

Skeletons: Skeletons are another classic Halloween symbol. They are often depicted as grinning, bony figures that are associated with death and the afterlife.

Spiders: Spiders are sometimes associated with Halloween because of their creepy appearance and association with cobwebs.

Witches: Witches are another classic Halloween symbol. They are often depicted as old, cackling women who wear pointed hats and ride on broomsticks.

These symbols are often used in Halloween decorations and costumes, and they help to create a spooky, festive atmosphere for the holiday.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Determining the Date for Halloween

The date for Halloween, which is October 31st, has its roots in an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, and was considered to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was especially thin.

When the Roman Empire conquered the Celtic territories, they introduced their own holiday, Feralia, which was a day to honor the dead. Over time, Samhain and Feralia merged, and the holiday evolved into what we now know as Halloween.

In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1st as All Saints’ Day, which was a day to honor all saints and martyrs. The evening before All Saints’ Day became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which was eventually shortened to Halloween.

So the date for Halloween was set based on the traditions and history of Samhain, which was celebrated on the evening of October 31st.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Celebrations Across the World

Halloween is primarily a Western holiday, but it has become increasingly popular around the world in recent years. Here are some examples of how Halloween is celebrated in different parts of the world:

Mexico: In Mexico, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. This is a time to honor deceased loved ones, and people create altars with offerings of food, flowers, and candles.

Ireland: As the birthplace of Halloween, Ireland celebrates the holiday in a big way. Bonfires are lit, and children go trick-or-treating in costumes.

Japan: In Japan, Halloween is a relatively new holiday, but it has become popular in recent years. People often celebrate by dressing up in costumes and attending Halloween parties.

China: In China, Halloween is not traditionally celebrated, but some people have begun to adopt the holiday in recent years. Halloween parties and parades have become popular in some cities.

Brazil: In Brazil, Halloween is called Dia das Bruxas (Day of the Witches), and it is celebrated on October 31st. People often attend costume parties and go trick-or-treating.

Philippines: In the Philippines, Halloween is called Undas, and it is a time to honor deceased loved ones. Families often visit cemeteries and decorate graves with flowers and candles.

United Kingdom: Halloween is celebrated in the United Kingdom with costumes, parties, and trick-or-treating. Bonfires are also lit, and people tell ghost stories.

These are just a few examples of how Halloween is celebrated around the world. While the holiday may not be as widely celebrated in some countries as it is in the United States, it has become a popular and important cultural event in many parts of the world.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Celebrations Across the United States

Halloween is celebrated in many different ways across the United States. Here are some common ways that people celebrate the holiday:

Trick-or-treating: This is a popular Halloween tradition in which children go from house to house in their neighborhood, dressed in costumes, and ask for candy.

Costume parties: Many people host or attend Halloween costume parties, where guests dress up in costumes and enjoy food, drinks, and Halloween-themed activities.

Haunted houses: Many cities and towns have temporary haunted houses or other spooky attractions that people can visit during the Halloween season.

Pumpkin patches and corn mazes: In many areas, pumpkin patches and corn mazes are popular attractions during the fall season, and people may visit them during Halloween time.

Halloween parades: Some cities and towns host Halloween parades, where people dress up in costumes and march down the street, often accompanied by floats and other festive decorations.

Horror movie marathons: For some people, Halloween is a time to indulge in their love of horror movies, and they may watch scary movies or attend screenings of classic horror films.

Day of the Dead celebrations: In some parts of the country, especially those with large Hispanic populations, the Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos) is also celebrated during the Halloween season.

These are just a few examples of how Halloween is celebrated in different parts of the United States. The holiday has become an important cultural event in the country, and many people look forward to it each year.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Food & Treats

Halloween is often associated with treats and sweets, and there are a number of traditional foods and treats that are commonly enjoyed during the holiday. Here are some examples:

Candy: This is perhaps the most iconic Halloween treat, and it comes in many forms, from chocolate bars to gummy worms to hard candies.

Caramel apples: Apples are dipped in caramel and decorated with various toppings, such as chopped nuts or sprinkles.

Popcorn balls: Popcorn is combined with marshmallow or caramel and formed into balls for a tasty treat.

Pumpkin pie: This classic fall dessert is a staple of Thanksgiving, but it can also be enjoyed during Halloween.

Candy corn: This colorful, triangular-shaped candy is a Halloween favorite.

Hot apple cider: Warm apple cider is a comforting and seasonal beverage that is often enjoyed during Halloween.

Halloween-themed cupcakes and cookies: Bakers often create Halloween-themed treats, such as cupcakes and cookies decorated with orange and black frosting, or shaped like ghosts, bats, or pumpkins.

These are just a few examples of the many foods and treats that are associated with Halloween. Whether you prefer sweet or savory, there are plenty of options to choose from during this spooky holiday.

Fun Facts About Halloween – Quotes

There are many quotes that capture the spooky, fun, and sometimes silly spirit of Halloween. Here are some examples:

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and cauldron bubble.” – William Shakespeare

“Every day is Halloween, isn’t it? For some of us.” – Tim Burton

“Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen. Voices whisper in the trees, ‘Tonight is Halloween!'” – Dexter Kozen

“When witches go riding, and black cats are seen, the moon laughs and whispers, ’tis near Halloween.” – Author Unknown

“There is magic in the night when pumpkins glow by moonlight.” – Author Unknown

“I put a spell on you because you’re mine.” – Screamin’ Jay Hawkins

“There are nights when the wolves are silent and only the moon howls.” – George Carlin

“Halloween wraps fear in innocence, as though it were a slightly sour sweet. Let terror, then, be turned into a treat…” – Nicholas Gordon

These are just a few examples of the many quotes about Halloween. Whether you’re looking for something spooky, funny, or whimsical, there are plenty of quotes to choose from to get you in the Halloween spirit.

Check out These Fun Facts for Other Holidays

President’s Day, Mardi Gras, Day Light Savings Day, St. Patrick’s Day, April Fools Day, Mother’s Day, Easter, Arbor Day, Cinco de Mayo, Memorial Day, D-Day, Juneteenth, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Patriot Day, Columbus Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s Eve, New Years Day, Groundhog Day


Halloween Fun Facts

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