This guide is organized in ten waves, from the Celtic festival of Samhain to the giant animatronic skeletons on suburban lawns. Start anywhere: every article stands on its own and links to the others in its wave.
Want to make something too? The Festival Designers include a free pumpkin carving studio, a front door designer, a trunk-or-treat car designer and a printable desk lantern.
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Halloween Origins, Traditions & Folklore
Wave 1 · 5 articles
Origins & FolkloreThe Origins of Halloween: From Ancient Samhain to Modern CelebrationsHow Halloween grew from the Celtic festival of Samhain, the feasts of All Saints and All Souls, and Irish immigrant customs into today's celebration.Origins & FolkloreWhy Do We Celebrate Halloween on October 31? History, Meaning and TraditionsWhy Halloween falls on October 31: the eve of All Saints' Day, Celtic sunset-to-sunset days, failed campaigns to move it, and what the date means in 2026.Origins & FolkloreThe Story of the Jack-o'-Lantern: From Irish Turnips to American PumpkinsThe story of the jack-o'-lantern: the Irish legend of Stingy Jack, carved turnip lanterns, and how immigrants turned the American pumpkin into Halloween's icon.Origins & FolkloreTrick-or-Treating Explained: How the Halloween Tradition Began and EvolvedTrick-or-treating explained: from medieval souling and Scottish guising to the first printed 'trick or treat' in 1927, the 1950s boom and trunk-or-treats.Origins & FolkloreGhosts, Witches and Black Cats: The Folklore Behind Halloween's Most Famous SymbolsThe folklore behind Halloween symbols: why ghosts wear sheets, where the witch's pointed hat came from, and why black cats are unlucky : or lucky.
Halloween Decorations, Pumpkins & Home Design
Wave 2 · 5 articles
Decor & PumpkinsThe Ultimate Halloween Home Decorating Guide: Porch, Yard and Indoor IdeasA complete Halloween decorating guide: plan a theme, dress the porch and front door, stage the yard, decorate indoors and store it all for next year.Decor & PumpkinsPumpkin Carving Masterclass: Easy, Creative and Spooky Jack-o'-Lantern DesignsPumpkin carving masterclass: choose a pumpkin, the right tools, carving from the back, pattern transfer, shading and how to make a jack-o'-lantern last.Decor & PumpkinsDIY Halloween Decorations: Affordable Ideas You Can Make at HomeAffordable DIY Halloween decorations to make at home: window silhouettes, milk-jug ghosts, cheesecloth ghosts, potion bottles, paper bats and more.Decor & PumpkinsElegant Halloween Decor: Creating a Sophisticated Black, Orange and Gold ThemeCreate elegant Halloween decor with a black, orange and gold palette: color ratios, gilded pumpkins, candlelight, tablescapes, dark florals and the porch.Decor & PumpkinsHalloween Lighting Ideas: Transforming Your House with Spooky Lights, Shadows and EffectsHalloween lighting ideas: uplighting, colored floods, shadow projections, flicker effects, smart controls and safe outdoor setups for the house at night.
Costumes, Makeup & Halloween Parties
Wave 3 · 5 articles
Costumes & PartiesBest Halloween Costume Ideas for Kids, Adults, Couples and FamiliesThe best Halloween costume ideas for 2026 for kids, adults, couples, families, groups and pets, plus the most popular costumes from the NRF survey.Costumes & PartiesDIY Halloween Costumes: Creative Last-Minute Looks Using Things You Already OwnDIY Halloween costumes from things you already own: 30 last-minute ideas using a sheet, a hoodie, cardboard, black clothes or formal wear.Costumes & PartiesHalloween Makeup Ideas: From Simple Face Paint to Dramatic Horror LooksHalloween makeup ideas from easy kids' face paint to dramatic horror: cat, vampire, witch, skull, zombie and scars, plus products and skin safety.Costumes & PartiesHow to Host the Ultimate Halloween Party: Decorations, Games, Music and FoodHow to host the ultimate Halloween party: timeline, themes, invitations, decorations, food and drink, games, a spooky playlist and a costume contest.Costumes & PartiesHalloween Costume Safety: Visibility, Masks, Makeup and Comfortable Trick-or-TreatingHalloween costume safety: reflective tape for visibility, mask alternatives, safe makeup, flame-resistant fabrics, fit and comfortable trick-or-treating.
Halloween Food, Candy & Family Activities
Wave 4 · 5 articles
Food & FamilyThe Ultimate Halloween Food Guide: Spooky Snacks, Appetizers and Party TreatsThe ultimate Halloween food guide: spooky snacks, appetizers, mains, a boneyard charcuterie board, party drinks and make-ahead tips for a crowd.Food & FamilyHalloween Desserts for Kids: Cupcakes, Cookies, Brownies and Candy CreationsHalloween desserts for kids: monster cupcakes, mummy brownies, spider cookies, ghost meringues, dirt cups and candy creations kids can help make.Food & FamilyHalloween Candy Guide: Popular Treats, Candy Traditions and Creative Ways to Use LeftoversHalloween candy guide: America's favorite treats, how much to buy, the history of candy corn, allergy-friendly options and smart uses for leftovers.Food & FamilyFamily Halloween Night: Movies, Games, Crafts and Activities for All AgesPlan a family Halloween night: movies by scare level, games for all ages, crafts, a cozy dinner, storytelling and how to fit in trick-or-treating.Food & FamilyHalloween Activities for Kids: Pumpkin Painting, Treasure Hunts, Crafts and Backyard GamesHalloween activities for kids: pumpkin painting, treasure hunts, crafts, backyard games, science experiments and classroom ideas for toddlers through tweens.
Halloween Travel, Community & Modern Celebrations
Wave 5 · 5 articles
Travel & CommunityAmerica's Best Halloween Destinations: Haunted Towns, Festivals and Historic CelebrationsAmerica's best Halloween destinations: Salem, Sleepy Hollow, New Orleans, Savannah, St. Augustine, Anoka, NYC's Village parade and theme parks.Travel & CommunityHalloween in Salem, Massachusetts: Witch History, October Events and Visitor GuideHalloween in Salem, Massachusetts: the real history of the 1692 witch trials, key historic sites, 2026 Haunted Happenings events and a visitor guide.Travel & CommunityHalloween Around the World: How Different Countries Celebrate the SeasonHalloween around the world: Ireland's Samhain roots, Scottish guising, Mexico's Día de los Muertos, the Philippines' Undas, Japan and All Saints in Europe.Travel & CommunityEco-Friendly Halloween: Sustainable Costumes, Decorations, Pumpkins and Party IdeasEco-friendly Halloween ideas: sustainable costumes and swaps, reusable decorations, composting pumpkins, low-waste candy and treats, and greener parties.Travel & CommunityHalloween for Modern Families: Trunk-or-Treat, Community Events, Photo Spots and New TraditionsHalloween for modern families: trunk-or-treats, community festivals, sensory-friendly events, porch photo spots, teal pumpkins and new traditions.
America's Most Famous Halloween Destinations
Wave 6 · 5 articles
Famous DestinationsSalem, Massachusetts at Halloween: Complete October Travel Guide to America's Witch CitySalem, Massachusetts, at Halloween: a complete October travel guide to when to go, train and ferry options, where to stay, itineraries and crowd tips.Famous DestinationsSleepy Hollow, New York: Halloween Events, Legends and Haunted Places to VisitSleepy Hollow, NY at Halloween: Washington Irving's legend, the Old Dutch Church, Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, the Jack O'Lantern Blaze and visitor tips.Famous DestinationsNew Orleans at Halloween: Haunted French Quarter, Ghost Tours and Voodoo HistoryNew Orleans at Halloween: French Quarter ghost tours, above-ground cemeteries, voodoo history, the Krewe of BOO! parade on Oct 24, 2026, and tips.Famous DestinationsSavannah, Georgia at Halloween: Ghost Stories, Cemeteries and Haunted Historic DistrictsSavannah, Georgia, at Halloween: Bonaventure and Colonial Park cemeteries, ghost stories of the squares, haunted houses and hotels, and ghost tours.Famous DestinationsSt. Augustine, Florida: Exploring America's Oldest City During Halloween SeasonSt. Augustine, Florida, at Halloween: ghost tours of America's oldest city, the Castillo de San Marcos, the lighthouse, the Old Jail and cemeteries.
Pumpkin Patches, Corn Mazes & Fall Farms
Wave 7 · 5 articles
Patches & MazesAmerica's Best Pumpkin Patches for a Classic Halloween and Fall ExperienceAmerica's best pumpkin patches by region, from California and the Pacific Northwest to Texas, the Midwest and the East Coast, and how to choose one.Patches & MazesThe Ultimate Corn Maze Guide: Amazing Halloween Mazes Across the United StatesThe ultimate corn maze guide: how mazes are designed and grown, the first maze in 1993, famous U.S. mazes, night and haunted mazes, and how to escape.Patches & MazesHalloween Farm Adventures: Hayrides, Pumpkin Picking, Petting Zoos and Fall FestivalsHalloween farm adventures: hayrides, pumpkin picking, apple orchards, petting zoos, corn mazes, cider mills and fall festivals, and how to enjoy them.Patches & MazesHow to Plan the Perfect Family Pumpkin-Patch Day: What to Bring, Wear and DoHow to plan the perfect family pumpkin-patch day: choosing a farm, when to go, what to bring and wear, a sample schedule, photo tips, budget and toddler hacks.Patches & MazesFrom Pumpkin Patch to Jack-o'-Lantern: The Journey of America's Favorite Halloween PumpkinThe journey of America's Halloween pumpkin: carving varieties, planting, pollination, harvest, giant pumpkin records and what happens after Halloween.
Theme Parks, Haunted Attractions & Halloween Entertainment
Wave 8 · 5 articles
Theme Parks & HauntsDisney Halloween Celebrations: Costumes, Pumpkins, Parades and Family-Friendly MagicDisney Halloween 2026: Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party, the Oogie Boogie Bash, Halloween Time at Disneyland, costume rules and planning tips.Theme Parks & HauntsUniversal Halloween Horror Nights: What to Expect from America's Famous Haunted EventUniversal Halloween Horror Nights 2026: dates for the 35th edition in Orlando and Hollywood, houses, scare zones, age guidance and planning tips.Theme Parks & HauntsAmerica's Best Haunted Houses: Immersive Halloween Attractions for Thrill SeekersAmerica's best haunted houses: how professional haunts work, famous attractions from Netherworld to Eastern State Penitentiary, and thrill-seeker tips.Theme Parks & HauntsHalloween at Amusement Parks: Comparing Family Events and After-Dark Scare NightsHalloween at amusement parks compared: family events from Disney to LEGOLAND versus scare nights like Horror Nights, Knott's Scary Farm and Fright Fest.Theme Parks & HauntsPlanning a Haunted Attraction Road Trip: How to Build the Ultimate Halloween WeekendPlan a haunted attraction road trip: pick a region, schedule two haunts a night, buy timed tickets, budget and drive safely, with four sample routes.
Neighborhood Halloween & Community Traditions
Wave 9 · 5 articles
NeighborhoodsAmerica's Best Halloween Neighborhoods: Streets Famous for Decorations and Trick-or-TreatingAmerica's best Halloween neighborhoods: famous trick-or-treat streets like Manhattan's West 69th Street, historic districts and how to find them.NeighborhoodsTrunk-or-Treat Explained: How the Community Halloween Tradition Became So PopularTrunk-or-treat explained: what it is, how the community Halloween tradition began and spread, why families love it, and how to host an event.NeighborhoodsHalloween Block Parties: How American Neighborhoods Celebrate TogetherHalloween block parties: how neighborhoods celebrate together, from permits and planning to costume parades, chili cook-offs, games and safety.NeighborhoodsThe Rise of Elaborate Halloween Houses: Animatronics, Projection Mapping and Giant Yard DisplaysThe rise of elaborate Halloween houses: 12-foot skeletons, animatronics, projection mapping and synchronized light shows : trends, tech and safety.NeighborhoodsBest Practices for a Trick-or-Treat-Friendly Home: Lighting, Candy Stations and SafetyMake your home trick-or-treat friendly: path lighting, accessible candy stations, teal pumpkins for allergies, pet safety and running-out etiquette.
Halloween Road Trips & Regional Celebrations
Wave 10 · 5 articles
Road TripsNew England Halloween Road Trip: Salem, Sleepy Hollow, Pumpkins and Fall FoliageA 7-day New England Halloween road trip from Sleepy Hollow through the Berkshires and Vermont foliage to Salem, with pumpkins, cider and ghosts.Road TripsCalifornia Halloween Road Trip: Theme Parks, Pumpkin Festivals and Haunted AttractionsCalifornia Halloween road trip: Apple Hill, Half Moon Bay's pumpkin festival, the Winchester Mystery House, Disneyland, Horror Nights and Knott's.Road TripsHalloween in the Pacific Northwest: Seattle, Portland, Pumpkin Farms and Haunted ForestsHalloween in the Pacific Northwest: Seattle and Portland ghost tours, Snohomish and Sauvie Island pumpkin farms, Hood River and misty haunted forests.Road TripsHalloween in the American South: Ghost Cities, Historic Cemeteries and Southern LegendsHalloween in the American South: ghost cities Charleston, Savannah, St. Augustine and New Orleans, historic cemeteries and legends like the Bell Witch.Road TripsHalloween in the Midwest: Fall Festivals, Corn Mazes, Haunted Farms and Small-Town CelebrationsHalloween in the Midwest: Anoka, the Halloween Capital of the World, Circleville's Pumpkin Show, giant corn mazes, haunted farms and scare nights.