Halloween 2025: Traditions, Tourism and Film

Halloween’s roots trace to the Celtic festival Samhain, whose harvest-era bonfires, costumes to ward off spirits and turnip jack-o’-lanterns evolved into modern customs. This season mixes deep folklore with a busy media and film slate — including streaming and theatrical horror releases and festival programming — and franchise/anniversary screenings alongside family offerings. Live attractions range from elaborate haunted hayrides and walk-through scare houses (including Staten Island’s long-form Haunt at Camp Slaughter and artist-crafted scare houses like Lubbock’s Nightmare on 19th Street) to large pumpkin festivals such as the Klaistow Pumpkin Festival near Berlin, set to showcase more than 100,000 pumpkins under the “Power Women” theme. Home-based and community events — mystery dinners, escape rooms, potion workshops, DIY haunted houses and street festivals — are increasingly important drivers of local commerce, exemplified by Sleepy Hollow’s year-round Headless Horseman–themed tourism and growing participation in countries like Australia. Attitudes toward Halloween vary, with some faith communities and parents urging low-key, non-gory alternatives even as local customs, neighborhood candy traditions, seasonal recipes and cocktails keep the celebration playful and community-centered.