Other academics believe Halloween began solely as a Christian holiday, being the vigil of All Hallow's Day. One theory holds that many Halloween traditions were influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain, which are believed to have pagan roots some go further and suggest that Samhain may have been Christianized as All Hallow's Day, along with its eve, by the early Church. It begins the observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the departed. Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of 'All Hallows' evening'), also known as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. Totensonntag, Blue Christmas, Thursday of the Dead, Samhain, Hop-tu-Naa, Calan Gaeaf, Allantide, Day of the Dead, Reformation Day, All Saints' Day, Mischief Night ( cf.
Trick-or-treating, costume parties, making jack-o'-lanterns, lighting bonfires, divination, apple bobbing, visiting haunted attractions.Ĭhurch services, prayer, fasting, and vigil Western Christians and many non-Christians around the world
