Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31? Know history, significance and celebration Halloween may have evolved over time from its ancient Celtic roots, but its essence remains intact. Why is Halloween celebrated on October 31? There are two answers to this question: a pagan one and a Christian one. The ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, which occurred on November 1 but kicked off the evening before, is considered the earliest known root of our secular Halloween traditions. Halloween or Hallowe'en (less commonly 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. Halloween, celebrated annually on Oct. 31, began as a pagan festival but has a strong historical tie to the Protestant Reformation. As Halloween approaches, many people start thinking about all that the modern occasion entails — costume parties, trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and haunted houses. Here's why we celebrate October 31, and why some curious traditions (bobbing for apples, anyone?) have stood the test of time. What does paganism have to do with Halloween? A lot, really. According to the Library of Congress, Halloween is celebrated (in part) because October 31 is the eve of All Saints Day, a day in which Christians remember and honor the dead. WEXB7hv.

why is halloween on october 31