Halloween is a holiday celebrated on October 31. It is observed by the Christian community as All Saints’ Day. Other people believe the holiday is about ghosts, magic and other supernatural elements. Children dress up in costumes and go from house to house asking for candy. The holiday has become very popular in the US, especially in urban areas. Cities host huge Halloween celebrations with costume contests and haunted houses. Many people travel to different areas to enjoy the festivities.
Halloween is a very popular holiday in the US. The celebration includes trick-or-treating, wearing costumes, dancing and singing around Jack o’ Lanterns. Some may also believe that this is a time when spirits walk the earth or when witches can cast spells. In some areas, people build mounds of stones to ward off evil spirits. The origins of Halloween are rooted in ancient Celtic festivals, such as Samhain. The Celts believed that their dead came back to life during Samhain, so they would light bonfires to keep them away. They also performed rituals to honor their gods of death and fertility. Many of these elements have become part of modern Halloween celebrations over time.
Many towns and cities have their own Halloween traditions; for example, Greenwich Village in New York City celebrates All Hallow’s Eve with parades and costumes. NYC hosts several major celebrations throughout the month of October; one notable one is Greenwich Village’s Village Halloween Parade & Festival. Another major event is Día de los Muertos at Baluarte de Santiago in San Antonio, TX. People celebrate this Mexican holiday by creating sugar skulls and decorating gravesites with marigolds, candles and more. Other cities have other traditions that are well-known among locals and visitors alike. Traveling to different areas allows you to experience the holiday in a different way; you can learn about other traditions as you enjoy your time celebrating Halloween in your area.
Traditional or modern—Halloween offers both! The holiday is about remembering loved ones who have passed on as well as celebrating the supernatural world we live in today. Many people still perform ancient rituals from the past or host spectacular events for the public to attend. It’s fun to see how different cities celebrate this holiday so we recommend that you go out and explore at some point!