Halloween in Canada

History and Traditions: Halloween in Canada, observed annually on October 31st, has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and the onset of winter. It was believed that on this night, the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. Irish and Scottish immigrants brought their Halloween traditions to North America in the 19th century.

Traditional activities included carving jack-o'-lanterns out of turnips or pumpkins to ward off evil spirits. The practice evolved from an Irish myth about a man named Stingy Jack who tricked the devil and was forced to wander the Earth with only a hollowed turnip to light his way.

Modern Celebrations: Today, Canadians celebrate Halloween with various activities:

• Trick-or-Treating: Children wear costumes and go from house to house asking for treats such as candy with the phrase "trick or treat."
• Costume Parties: Adults and children alike attend parties dressed up in a wide range of costumes.
• Haunted Attractions: Haunted houses, corn mazes, and ghost tours are popular.
• Pumpkin Carving: Families carve pumpkins into jack-o'-lanterns.
• Decoration: Homes, schools, and public places are decorated with themes ranging from autumn harvest to spooky graveyards.
• Horror Movies and Stories: Watching scary movies or sharing ghost stories is a common pastime.

The celebration of Halloween is also seen as a lead-up to other significant holidays like Thanksgiving (in October for Canadians) and Christmas, marking an important period for retail and seasonal festivities.