Fun Facts About Halloween: These 12 Things Will Scare You!

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 04/09/2024 Fun Facts, Halloween, Traditions & Customs

Halloween, a holiday replete with ghosts, witches, and hollowed-out pumpkins, is celebrated annually on October 31. During the Halloween season, there are many intriguing aspects you might be unaware of. Have you ever wondered why orange is its symbol, which candy is most sought after by children, and how much money Americans spend on this holiday?

12 Halloween Fun Facts

• The colors orange and black are representative of Halloween. Orange signifies the autumn harvest, while black symbolizes darkness and death.
• The tradition of hollowed-out pumpkins, or Jack o’ Lanterns as they’re known in the USA, originated in Ireland. Long ago, candles were placed in these pumpkins during the Samhain holiday to ward off spirits and evil entities.
• Halloween was introduced to the USA by European immigrants post-1840. They celebrated their fruitful harvest with grand bonfires, chilling tales, and bouts of dancing and singing.
• The first chocolate coin in the USA was named the Tootsie Roll.
• The ancient Celts believed that spirits wandered the lands on Halloween night. To avoid being recognized as human by these spirits, they started wearing costumes and various masks.
• Every year, Halloween in the USA witnesses candy sales amounting to $3,100,000,000, and costumes valued at $3,600,000,000. It is the second most commercially successful holiday, following Christmas.
• The most popular Halloween candies are Reese’s Cups with peanut butter, followed by Skittles and M&M’s.
• Black cats were once believed to be allies of witches, serving to protect their supernatural powers.
• Werewolves can be identified by their connected eyebrows, hairy hands, tattoos, and a notably long middle finger.
• Vampires, mythical beings that defy death by consuming human blood, have clubs worldwide. The members of these clubs take their roles as vampires very seriously.
• Should you see a spider on Halloween, it is believed that someone dear to you is watching over you.
• Bats, natural predators of nocturnal flying insects, have the longest lifespan among mammals of their size, living up to 32 years.