Halloween Fast Facts
CNN Editorial Research
(CNN) — Here is some spooky background information about Halloween, celebrated annually in the United States on October 31.
Facts
The word Halloween is an abbreviated version of the phrases All Hallows’ Eve or All Hallows’ Evening.
Halloween comes from an ancient pagan festival celebrated by Celtic people over 2,000 years ago called Samhain (prono: SOW ehn).
The festival took place in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and northwestern France.
Samhain means “summer’s end” and marks the beginning of winter. Samhain is also thought to celebrate the beginning of the Celtic year. The Celts believed that Samhain was a time when the dead could walk among the living.
Trick-or-treating began in areas of the United Kingdom and Ireland. People went house-to-house “souling” – asking for small breads called “soul cakes” in exchange for prayer.
Adults also went door-to-door asking for food and drinks in exchange for a song or dance.
Jack-o’-lanterns are the symbol of Halloween. People in Ireland and Scotland originally used beets or turnips as lanterns on Halloween.
An Irish legend says that jack-o’-lanterns are named for a man called Jack who could not go to heaven or hell and was forced to walk the earth forever with only a coal from hell to light his lantern.
The name jack-o’-lantern can also be derived from the night watchman who would light the street lanterns every evening.
Immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought Halloween to the United States in the 1800s. Haitian and African immigrants brought voodoo beliefs about black cats, fire and witchcraft.
Halloween Statistics for 2024
(Source: National Retail Federation)
An estimated 74% of Americans will celebrate Halloween or participate in Halloween activities this year, with 67% of those consumers planning to give out candy and 52% planning to decorate their homes. Total spending in 2024 is expected to reach $11.6 billion, with the average consumer planning to spend $104 on decorations, candy, costumes and more.
Top Children’s Costumes for 2024
1. Spiderman
2. Ghost
3. Princess
4. Witch
5. Superhero
Top Adult Costumes for 2024
1. Witch
2. Vampire
3. Cat
4. Batman
5. Pirate
Top Pet Costumes for 2024
1. Pumpkin
2. Hot Dog
3. Bat
4. Ghost
5. Bumblebee
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