What Made Halloween so Popular in America?

Immigrants brought Halloween to America, tracing its roots directly to Irish traditions first celebrated in the 19th century. The Gaelic holiday of Samhain, which we now recognize as Halloween, falls on October 31st, the last day of the Celtic calendar. Originally a pagan celebration honoring the dead, Halloween was known as All Hallows Eve and dates back over 2,000 years.

In colonial America, Halloween as we know it did not exist. The Puritans of New England vehemently opposed the holiday and rejected many others. Some historians note that Anglican colonists in the southern United States and Catholic colonists in Maryland acknowledged ‘All Hallows Eve’ in their church calendars, but it didn’t gain prominence until the mass Irish and Scottish immigration of the 19th century.

These Irish and Scottish immigrants introduced customs like carving turnips and jack-o’-lanterns, as well as lighting bonfires. These traditions blended with those of other communities in America.

In the U.S., carving pumpkins initially connected to harvest time eventually became part of Halloween festivities. In Cajun regions, influenced by French culture, people attended night masses and placed blessed candles on graves, with families sometimes spending the night beside them.

Although some believe customs like trick-or-treating originated in America, records show that children dressed in costumes and went door-to-door for food or coins in 19th-century Scotland. Ruth Edna Kelley, who penned the first book-length history of Halloween in the U.S., observed, “All Halloween customs in the United States are borrowed directly or adapted from those of other countries.”

Gradually, Halloween assimilated into mainstream society, gaining widespread celebration across the country by the early 20th century—though certain religions, like Judaism and Islam, prohibit participation in Halloween customs.

In modern times, retailers commercialized Halloween in the U.S., promoting themed products, costumes, and decorations. Elements like witches and scarecrows became popular symbols of the holiday.

In the latter half of the century, Hollywood, horror films, and popular culture influenced new traditions, such as “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” and the Halloween film series. Through American influence, this modern version of Halloween spread to countries across the American continent, Europe, and parts of Asia.

Content for this question contributed by Alberto Pena, resident of Laredo, Texas, USA