Halloween is a popular festival celebrated in many parts of the world. This celebration takes place on the night of 31st October every year, when you can find children dressed in scary Halloween costumes roaming around the streets and visiting door to door with the phrase “Trick or Treat”. Most people tend to offer treats to avoid the trickery of children. The celebration’s origins can be traced back thousands of years, to the Celtic festival of Samhain. There is also a dark history of Halloween that is not known to some people. Scroll down below to learn about the history and traditions of Halloween Day, as well as understand the modern-day Halloween celebration.
Origins of Halloween in the UK
Halloween is growing to be a popular celebration for its unique traditions that have evolved over the years, and at present is a mix of Celtic, Christian and modern influences. Let’s dig deeper into the origin of Halloween.
Celtic Roots - Festival of Samhain
Halloween celebration is a tradition that dates back 2000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated to mark the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. The Celts believed that on this day of the year, the gap between our world and the spirit world blurs, allowing the spirits of the dead to return to the mortal realm. In every village, to ward off the evil spirits, large bonfires were lit, and the Samhain celebrations would be led by the Celtic priests.
Influence of the Roman - Feralia and Apple Bobbing
In 43 AD, when the Romans conquered a major portion of the Celtic tribal lands, they brought some significant changes to the Halloween festival, and one such inclusion is the tradition of bobbing apples dedicated to the Roman Goddess of fruit and trees, Pomona. Another tradition is Feralia, which honours the dead and is still followed to this day.
Influence of Christianity - All Hallows’ Eve
As the Romans moved out in the early 5th century, Britain was later invaded by a new religion, Christianity. Starting from the northern to the western, the Christian faith and teachings were spread, which brought along “All Hallows’ Day”, a day to remember the people who had died for their beliefs. Pope Gregory shifted the date of All Hallows’ feast to 1st November from 13th May back in the 8th century. The night of Samhain was thus known as Hallow Eve, which later became Halloween.
Traditional Halloween Customs
The traditional Halloween customs that were followed back during Samhain are stated below.
Trick or Treat and Guising
Children are seen dressing up in costumes and going door to door in their neighbourhood, offering a prayer or singing a song in exchange for treats.
Carving Jack-o’-Lanterns
In the past, grimacing faces were carved on turnips or swedes to ward off evil spirits. An Irish folktale about a man named “Stingy Jack” who tricked the Devil was cursed to roam the earth after he died and was left with only a burning coal from Hell. He then hollowed a turnip and put the coal inside it to light his path. Since then, people started carving turnips to shun evil spirits like Stingy Jack.
Bonfires
Bonfires were lit outdoors that symbolise cleansing and protection from evil spirits who were believed to roam freely on the night of Samhain. Fire was also considered an imitation of the sun’s light. Moreover, people would extinguish their hearths and relight them with fire from the bonfire to safeguard their homes and family members inside.
Playing Traditional games and Apple Bobbing
Playing traditional Halloween games is another activity that has been followed since the early times. People participate in games like apple bobbing, fortune telling, snap apple and others.
Modern Day Halloween Celebration
Some of the modern-day Halloween celebration practices that are followed currently are discussed below:
Costume Parties and Trick or Treat
At present, costume parties and trick or treat are the two popular activities that are being performed on Halloween. Children dress in different Halloween costumes and then go door to door to receive candy. There are also themed parties organised for adults where they can enjoy their time socialising with others.
Ghost Walks
Ghost walk is another popular activity where a group is led by a paranormal investigator to experience the hauntings and get ghost sightings, as Halloween is considered to be the night when the spirits enter our world, so the chances of spotting one also increase.
Pumpkin Face Carving Events
Earlier, grimy faces were carved on turnips and swedes, but now it has been shifted to pumpkins, as they are readily available and are easy to cut. Families together carve faces on the pumpkins and then light them up to ward off evil spirits and place them around the house. There are also pumpkin carving festivals and community events held.
Variations in Halloween Celebration Around the UK
Across the UK, different regions celebrate Halloween in their own traditions and customs. Here are the places around the UK that offer different holiday experiences.
England
Around England, you can find modern Halloween traditions being followed, like pumpkin carving, trick or treating, dressing in scary costumes and others. There are also parties being held, and people watch scary movies. There are also a number of games being played, while some also visit haunted attractions to take the level of spookiness higher.
Wales
In Wales, Halloween traditions are called Nos Calan Gaeaf, where bonfires are lit with a focus on fortune-telling rituals and divination. They prioritise ensuring their hearth fire is burning to drive away the evil spirits wandering the earth. People are also seen to dress in cross gender dresses on that day while carolling for food and drink.
Ireland and Scotland
Both Ireland and Scotland seem to be celebrating Halloween in modern traditions, but they are also deeply rooted in their Celtic traditions. The Scottish and Irish Halloween traditions are seen to follow the traditions followed during the festival of Samhain, and turnips are seen to be preferred for carving of faces rather than pumpkins.
Best Places to Stay During Halloween
If you are wondering where to visit to celebrate Halloween this year, we have picked some popular destinations renowned for their Halloween celebrations.
Nottingham, England
Nottingham is a great destination to spend your Halloween holidays, as the Old Market Square is decorated with lights and colours to match the Halloween theme. Spend time savouring the delicacies, enjoy a horror show, enjoy a drink from a witch cauldron and many more. You can also gain actual spooky experience by visiting Nottingham Castle, which is rumoured to be haunted by several ghouls and ghosts.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Walk down the cobbled streets of Edinburgh, which is an actual horror destination, not because of the Halloween theme, but due to the dark incidents that took place in history. From the tales of body snatchers to a loyal dog guarding the grave of its owner, to a pub where public hangings were executed. Learn about various horror and paranormal stories while sipping your drink, while feeling the presence of spirits around you.
Bluestone, West Wales
Another popular Halloween getaway is Bluestone, offering you various outdoor activities along with a chance to relax in the natural setting. During Halloween, you can also partake in the Bwbach Festival that runs from September to Halloween night. You can spot carved pumpkins, bats, crows, witches and scarecrows, elevating the level of spookiness.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is another popular Halloween destination that you can visit for a holiday. Visit Derry and Belfast, the two main cities of Northern Ireland, to feel the spirit of Halloween by participating in various activities. You can also go for a guided walk in the Colin Glen forest, where you might spot a fairy or a witch. You can also visit Glenuilin in County Derry, where you can find the grave of a male vampire.
London, England
One of the best places to visit this Halloween is London, where you will find numerous things to do to make your holiday worthwhile. Starting from themed pubs and restaurants to parties and events where you need to dress like the undead itself. You can also gain an immersive scary experience by visiting specific venues like the Forbidden Forest Cinema or Covent Garden. Also, try out the popular Halloween-themed disease to complete your holiday.
Best Things to Do on Halloween
On Halloween, there are a number of things to do to enjoy the spookiest time of the year in fun and entertainment. Check out below some of the best things to do on Halloween:
- Decorate your home to bring the Halloween spirit to life.
- Prepare a treasure hunt by hiding treats around the house and leaving behind clues for a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt.
- Bake or cook Halloween-themed treats and dishes to make your table look spooky.
- Spend family time carving faces into pumpkins and lighting them up with your loved ones.
- Lit bonfires and sit around with people sharing haunted stories.
- Participate in various Halloween events that occur, offering you a fantastic experience.
- Visit some of the haunted places and learn about their chilling past and the incidents that occurred there.
- Enjoy Halloween-themed theatre shows to gain an otherworldly experience.
- Have a hearty dinner with your family members, strengthening your unity and bond.
- You can also pay tribute to the dead by visiting their graves, decorating them, or offering their favourite foods and drinks.
Popular Halloween Dishes
Some of the popular and traditional Halloween foods that you can enjoy during this spooky holiday are listed below:
- Caramel Apples
- Colcannon
- Boxty
- Sausages
- Stews and Soups
- Stuffed Pumpkins or Peppers
- Brambrack
- Popcorn Balls
- Lasagne
- Casserole
Conclusion
Trick or Treat will bring a smile to your face as you open the door. Throughout the UK, different ways of celebrating Halloween can be seen across regions. Traditional Halloween is mainly followed in Irish Halloween traditions. Children are seen wearing Halloween costumes and going door to door to collect their treats. There are also traditional Halloween games that are being played to make your holiday more entertaining. There is also traditional Halloween food that is being prepared and served, which adds a spooky essence to the celebration.
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FAQs
What is the history behind Halloween?
Halloween came from the ancient Celtic celebration of Samhain, when bonfires were lit to ward off evil spirits.
What are the key traditions followed in Halloween?
Some of the key traditions observed on Halloween include trick-or-treating, wearing scary costumes, carving pumpkins, holding parties, and more.
Why are faces being carved in pumpkins?
Faces are being carved in pumpkins to ward off evil spirits.
What is the dark secret behind the Halloween celebration?
The dark secret behind the Halloween celebration is that the wall between the mortal and spirit worlds thins, allowing the spirits of the dead to cross into this world.
