It's a tradition celebrated by kids and adults alike; Halloween is a great excuse to dress up as something scary and enjoy some delicious treats.
Every year, households stock up on sweets and chocolate and prepare to be greeted by families clad from head to toe in terrifying costumes. Zombies, pirates and ghosts are just some of the ghouls that trick-or-treaters dress up as to celebrate the spookiest day of the year.
Who doesn't love dressing as their favourite horror film icons, or seeing their little ones dressed as a cute pumpkin? It's a staple of the Halloween tradition. Some people even get their pets involved, sprucing them up in matching costumes.
The tradition of dressing up and going from door-to-door reciting poetry or songs in exchange for food can be traced all the way back to 16th century Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the Isle of Man. Pumpkin picking and carving is also a popular activity, as well as decking the house out with Halloween decorations and lights.
We take part in these traditions to honour the dead. Hundreds of years ago it was believed that the seasonal transition from summer to autumn resulted in a thinning of the boundary between our world and the spirit world.
Many believed that this led to fairies and the dead appearing in the real world. It's also why being 'haunted' is so commonly associated with Halloween.
Halloween is celebrated on October 31 every year. In 2022, it falls on a Monday - giving families the weekend to stock up on sweet treats and perfect their creepy costumes.
Halloween takes place at the end of the school holidays for most people and there are plenty of activities on offer across the weekend and in the run-up to Halloween - from spooky cinema events to glow-in-the-dark dance parties.
Read next:
-
Where to go pumpkin picking in and around Greater Manchester for Halloween 2022
-
The giant inflatable monsters are back - Manchester's Halloween in the City confirms return
-
The spooktacular event that's fun for the whole family this Halloween
-
30+ things to do with kids in Manchester this Halloween and October half term
-
Greater Manchester cinema launching new horror film season for Halloween
