Halloween

Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season. Celebrated on October 31, the festivities marking Halloween originate with the Pagan festival called Samhain which was celebrated in the United Kingdom. The Celts, Irish, British and Scottish brought their traditions to North America in the nineteenth century. Today, Halloween is celebrated in many parts of the western world including the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It's still celebrated in its countries of origin.

The term Halloween (and its alternative rendering Hallowe'en) is shortened from All Hallows Eve, as it is the eve of "All Hallows' Day", now known as All Saints' Day. It was a day of religious festivities in various northern European Pagan traditions until Popes Gregory III and Gregory IV moved the old Christian feast of All Saints' Day from May 13 to November 1.