Spooky Traditions: Comparing Halloween Celebrations in the U.S. and the U.K.

Halloween, a holiday celebrated with enthusiasm in the United States, is no small affair. In fact, the average American spends about $92 per person on Halloween-related items. This might not sound like a big deal until you consider that Halloween is the second-largest commercial holiday in the U.S. Decorations, costumes, and candy all play a major role in preparations, and in 2022, Americans spent a record-breaking $10.6 billion on Halloween goods. The holiday's popularity is clearly evident, but what about in the United Kingdom?

Unlike in the U.S., where Halloween decorations are visible on nearly every porch and store, the UK does not see the same enthusiasm for decorating. Halloween customs in the UK are largely influenced by ancient Celtic traditions, yet the holiday isn’t as widely celebrated. In the UK, pumpkins are usually found only in the produce section of grocery stores, and corn mazes, a popular Halloween activity in America, are rare. While many Americans enjoy navigating these mazes as part of their fall traditions, they are almost impossible to find in the UK.

In America, Halloween isn’t complete without a marathon of spooky films. From the family-friendly favorites like *Hocus Pocus* and *The Haunted Mansion* to terrifying horror movies like *Friday the 13th* or *Scream*, U.S. television networks devote entire channels to Halloween films throughout October. In contrast, the UK does not have the same television tradition. You might have to search for your favorite Halloween movies, as a nationwide movie marathon just isn’t a part of British culture.

The U.S. also takes Halloween costumes very seriously. The tradition of dressing up dates back to the early 20th century, with mass-produced costumes hitting the market in the 1930s. By 2021, Americans spent nearly $3.3 billion on costumes alone. Children wear whatever costumes they like, even if they're not traditionally Halloween-themed, such as princess or superhero outfits. Meanwhile, in the UK, traditional costumes like ghosts, vampires, and zombies dominate Halloween celebrations, and the country doesn’t see the same level of costume creativity.

In some places, there are even specific laws surrounding costumes. For example, in Dublin, Georgia, anyone over the age of 16 is not allowed to wear a costume that covers their face, including sunglasses or hoods. If that seems like too much of a restriction, you might want to head to Derry in Northern Ireland. Derry celebrates Halloween with a four-day event called the Banks of the Foyle Carnival, which includes haunted houses, parades, and other festivities. It was even named the best place in the world to celebrate Halloween in 2015.

In the U.S., Halloween spirit infiltrates every corner of daily life, with themed breakfasts, snacks, and drinks available everywhere. In the UK, however, you won’t find the same level of Halloween-themed products. American favorites like Snickers, Reese’s Pieces, and candy corn are hard to come by in the UK, where local brands like Cadbury and McVitie’s offer their own variety of treats. In Ireland, you might find a traditional Halloween bread called *barmbrack*, which is made with dark and golden raisins. This sweet loaf sometimes contains a hidden toy or ring, and the person who finds it is believed to have good fortune in the coming year.

In the U.S., the most popular Halloween activity is trick-or-treating. Children go door-to-door, dressed in costumes, shouting "trick or treat" in hopes of filling their bags with candy. In some cities like St. Louis, Missouri, and Des Moines, Iowa, trick-or-treaters must perform a joke or riddle to earn their treats. The tradition of trick-or-treating can be traced back to Canada in the early 20th century, though the phrase "trick or treat" became common in the U.S. in the 1930s. Interestingly, the phrase wasn’t widely used in Ireland until the 1980s and was popularized by the film *E.T.*

The roots of trick-or-treating, however, are much older. The origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter. It was believed that the barrier between the physical world and the spirit world thinned during this time, allowing spirits to roam the earth. To ward off these spirits, people dressed in costumes and offered food to appease the supernatural beings. This custom evolved over time into the practice of guising in Scotland and Ireland, where people dressed in costumes and performed songs or plays in exchange for food. By the 15th century, people in parts of Britain, Southern Germany, and Austria would go door-to-door in exchange for soul cakes, which were pastries given to pray for the souls of the deceased.

Despite the longstanding history of Halloween in these regions, the modern trick-or-treat tradition didn’t become widespread until the 20th century. Even then, the term "trick or treat" didn’t become popular in Ireland until after the release of *E.T.* in 1982. It wasn’t until the 2000s that the phrase became commonly used, replacing older expressions like "help the Halloween party" in Ireland.

Whether you’re in the U.S. or the UK, Halloween remains a special occasion marked by unique traditions. While Americans go all out with decorations, costumes, and candy, the British celebration is more low-key, with roots deeply connected to ancient customs. Both countries, however, share a love for spooky fun, even if their celebrations look a little different.