Gaels believed that it was a time when the walls between our world and the next became thin and porous, allowing spirits to pass through, come back to life on the day and damage their crops. Some believe it originates from the Celtic pagan festival of Samhain, meaning 'Summer's End' which celebrated the end of harvest season. The origin of the festival is disputed, and there are both pagan and Christian practices that have evolved into what Halloween is like today. The Americanised Halloween that we experience today actually originated in the Celtic fringes of Britain, and was adapted over the decades by Christian traditions, immigrants' conventions and an insatiable desire for sweets.
But how did it evolve into the costume competition it is today? Why do we celebrate Halloween and when did it start in the UK?
In recent years there have been complaints about the 'Americanised' event dominating British streets as October comes to an end, with some questioning why we even celebrate Halloween in the UK - however the tradition originally began on this side of the pond. Most commonly known as Halloween or Hallowe'en (a contraction of All Hallows' Evening), the spooky festival is also referred to as Allhalloween, All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve. It is the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day, – also known as All Saints' Day. Supermarket shelves will soon be buckling under the weight of pumpkins with wardrobes clogged by fancy dress outfits, and there can only be one reason: Halloween, the spooky celebration observed every year on October 31, is nearly here.