what is halloween festival

Halloween, also known as Halloween, Allhalloween, All Hallows Eve, or All Saints Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on October 31st, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows Day. It marks the beginning of Allhallowtide, a time dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints, martyrs, and all the faithful departed. The festival has both Christian and pagan roots, with its origins traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the beginning of the winter period and was believed to be a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was especially thin. Over time, Halloween has evolved into a secular holiday associated with activities such as dressing up in costumes, trick-or-treating, and holding festive gatherings. The holiday has a rich history and has been celebrated for more than a thousand years, with its traditions and customs varying across different regions and cultures.