Tracing the origins of Halloween: A look at its history and customs

Mia Swain and Maris Kanoy

October 31, 2025

Despite Halloween’s current popularity and consumerist nature, its origins came from a much more spiritual place. Photo used with permission from Ján Jakub Nanista via Unsplash.

History

From ghouls to goblins, Halloween is a spooky season, and its history is even spookier. The popular holiday began as an ancient tradition called Samhain held by the Celtics to celebrate their new year. When it was first started, Halloween held many spiritual ties. Many people believed that on Halloween, spirits of their deceased loved ones would be able to return, and in hopes of this return, they lit bonfires to make sacrifices. As the Celtic celebrations began to mesh with Catholic holidays, such as All Saints’ Day, the holiday began to pick up a new purpose of celebrating the dead, which then led to the establishment of All Souls’ Day. On both Samhain and All Souls Day, people celebrated by dressing up, usually as angels or devils. Many of these ancient traditions have been adapted into modern-day customs.

Halloween in America formed from a mixture of many other ethnic groups’ traditions, leaning more towards secular celebrations. Though these traditions held deeper meaning for some, most people took the chance to party in celebration of Halloween. The celebration of Halloween significantly increased during the second half of the 19th century, popularized because of the many immigrants coming to America and wanting to celebrate something other than the Irish Potato Famine. In America during the 1800s, trick or treating became popular, and the focus of Halloween shifted from witchcraft and pranks to more festive community get-togethers with food and fun. With the customs of Halloween shifted almost fully away from the original Celtic festivals, the holiday often isn’t remembered for its history; rather, it is remembered for its exciting traditions.

Halloween Traditions

From haunted houses to bowls of candy, Halloween is a night unlike any other. What started as an ancient tradition has turned into a night filled with costumes, candy and community. Whether it’s carving pumpkins or watching scary movies, people express their spirit in many different ways.

Trick-or-treating

One of the most beloved Halloween traditions is trick-or-treating. As the sun sets on Oct. 31, kids head out in their costumes, going door to door to collect candy from neighbors. The tradition goes back to early practices like “souling” where people went from house to house, offering songs or prayers in exchange for candy. Today, it’s a fun and festive way for communities to come together.

Wearing costumes

Dressing up in costumes is one of the most iconic parts of Halloween. From ghosts to favorite movie characters, people use costumes to express creativity. The tradition began centuries ago when people wore disguises to ward off spirits during festivals like “Samhain.” Over time, it evolved into a fun way to celebrate the holiday, allowing kids and adults to dress up in their best costumes for the night.

Carving pumpkins

Carving pumpkins is a Halloween tradition that combines art and creativity. Originally, people in Ireland and Scotland carved faces into turnips and potatoes to scare away evil spirits. When immigrants brought the custom to America, they found that pumpkins – native to North America – were larger and easier to carve. Today, families and friends gather to design faces and light their creations with candles, turning simple pumpkins into glowing jack-o-lanterns that brighten doorsteps all October long.

Philips Farm

Phillips Farm has become a fall favorite for families and friends looking to celebrate the season. Located in Cary, the farm offers a mix of classic autumn activities, from pumpkin picking and corn mazes to hayrides and seasonal treats. During the day, it’s a family-friendly destination filled with fun and photo ops among the pumpkins, but as the night falls, it transforms into a spookier experience with haunted houses and other attractions. Whether you’re there for the scares or the seasonal charm, Phillips Farm captures the spirit of Halloween that keeps people coming back year after year.

Panic Point

For those who love a good scare, Panic Point is a must-visit Halloween destination. Located in Youngsville, it’s known as one of North Carolina’s top haunted attractions. The park features multiple haunted trails, themed houses and jump scares around every corner, all designed to keep visitors on edge. Panic Point offers an immersive experience that goes far beyond your typical haunted house. It’s the perfect spot for thrill-seekers looking to test their bravery and dive into the scarier side of Halloween.

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About the Contributors

Mia Swain, Staff Writer

Mia Swain is a junior at Green Hope and is in her first year with the GH Falcon. She decided to join the staff this year in hopes of improving her writing skills while also channeling her creativity. She is excited to write for the Student Life section of the newspaper, but is interested in learning about all the sections of the paper as she grows into the role of a staff writer. Outside of school, Mia is passionate about sports, playing both club and school soccer while also coaching a children’s gymnastics team. In addition to sports, she enjoys hanging out with friends and going shopping. Mia hopes to go to an in-state college to pursue a career in the medical field once she graduates. She is looking forward to being a staff writer this year.

Maris Kanoy, Staff Writer

Maris Kanoy is a junior at Green Hope High School and this is her first year writing for the GH Falcon. She was inspired to join when she took a creative writing class her sophomore year, sparking her interest in writing. In her free time, she enjoys reading books, baking muffins and biking with her friends because she finds them relaxing. She has creativity, optimism and innovation and greatly values honesty and lightheartedness in others and herself. After graduating, Maris plans to go to college in North Carolina, travel the world and hopes to later have a job that would help others. She is looking forward to having a great semester writing for the GH Falcon.