Why October Is the Perfect Month for Halloween

Halloween closes off the month of October on the 31st, giving us a chance to get in the Halloween spirit right when October 1st rolls around. The essence of October-its tastes, its smells, its sights, and sounds-are all synonymous with Halloween. The vibrant colors and festive vibe of this month are just right, making it apt to fully embrace and enjoy Halloween for an entire month rather than just having one day to celebrate it. I'm excited to dedicate the whole month to love and celebrate all things Halloween, leading to the most thrilling climax on the actual day.

Exciting Activities Filling October

There are so many exciting activities to fill up this fun-filled month. From the beginning to the end of October, you can indulge in fun activities such as:

Candied apples Haunted houses Hayrides Theme-appropriate movies and music Strolling down streets lined with overly decorated houses Participating in various programs, events, and parties

One can only wish that the joy of Halloween could last longer than just a month! Imagine if the festivities started right at the end of September and continued on through the month of October.

American Seasons vs. Traditional All Hallows Eve

Interestingly, the United States has designated October as the season for Halloween, whereas in other parts of the world, it was simply a single evening known as All Hallows Eve. This decision has led to a unique situation where stores stock up on Halloween decorations from late September all the way to the end of October, with Christmas decorations not far behind. Once Halloween is over, it's time to start thinking about Easter!

The Origin and Tradition of Halloween

All Hallow’s Eve or All Saint’s Eve on October 31st is dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints and martyrs. This tradition began with the Celtic festival of Samhain, where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off spirits. In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III established November 1st as All Saints Day.

In the Christian calendar, All Hallows Day falls on November 1st. By coincidence or design, Halloween, the eve of All Hallows Day, inevitably falls on October 31st. This date coincides with the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is generally regarded as the first day of the new year in the Celtic calendar.

Some interesting beliefs associated with Samhain include the idea that a day runs from sunset to sunset and that this means the new year begins at sunset on what we now call October 31st. Celts also believed that it was a time when evil spirits and other undesirables were likely to try to enter the world and needed to be driven away with fire and noise. This explains the origin of many Halloween-themed activities we see today, which seem to be rooted in Celtic pagan beliefs rather than the significance of All Hallows Day for Christians.