All Hallows' Eve
Night before Hallowmas
All Hallows' Eve is the evening before All Saints' Day, falling on October 31st—better known today as Halloween.
The name literally means "the eve of all the holy ones," referring to the Christian feast honoring saints.
All Hallows' Eve traditions trace back centuries.
The term survives mainly in historical or religious contexts, while Halloween dominates everyday usage.
Celtic harvest-end observance
- druidsCeltic spiritual leaders
- paganismNon-monotheistic religious practice
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
- divinationForetelling through mystical means
superstitions · omens · witchcraft · banshee · bonfires · rituals · veneration · ghost stories
Post-summer cooling period
- pumpkinsLarge orange autumn gourds
- gourdsHard-rinded fleshy fruits
- cornucopiaAbundance symbol, horn-shaped
- orchardFruit tree plantation
cider · apples · hayride · scarecrow · corn maze · wheat · maize · bounty
Halloween candy solicitation
- candySugary edible treats
- jack-o'-lanternsCarved pumpkins with lights
- bonfireLarge outdoor fire
- festivalOrganized public celebration
tradition · feast · commemoration · haunted house · costume party · bobbing for apples · decoration · parade
Samhain
Celtic harvest-end observance
- druidsCeltic spiritual leaders
- paganismNon-monotheistic religious practice
- ancestorsThose from whom one descends
divination · superstitions · omens · witchcraft · banshee · bonfires · rituals · veneration · ghost stories · folktales
autumn
Post-summer cooling period
- pumpkinsLarge orange autumn gourds
- gourdsHard-rinded fleshy fruits
- cornucopiaAbundance symbol, horn-shaped
orchard · cider · apples · hayride · scarecrow · corn maze · wheat · maize · bounty · fall
trick-or-treat
Halloween candy solicitation
- candySugary edible treats
- jack-o'-lanternsCarved pumpkins with lights
- bonfireLarge outdoor fire
festival · tradition · feast · commemoration · haunted house · costume party · bobbing for apples · decoration · parade · nightfall
eerie
Disturbingly strange
ghostly · sinister · ominous · creepy · spectral · shadowy · mysterious · foreboding · uncanny · chilling
disguise
Identity-concealing alteration
- masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
- witchPractitioner of dark arts
- vampireBlood-drinking undead creature
zombie · ghost · skeleton · mummy · werewolf · monster · devil · pirate · princess · wizard
All Hallows' EveEaster
Resurrection commemoration day
Christmas · Easter Vigil · Pentecost · Epiphany · Ascension Day
All Hallows' EveAll Saints' Day
Feast commemorating all saints
Good Friday · All Souls' Day · Corpus Christi · Easter Sunday · Christmas Day