When is Halloween?
Halloween is on October 31 every year, the night before All Saints' Day. Its roots go back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest, and today it is celebrated with costumes, trick-or-treating, carved pumpkins and spooky decorations. The countdown shows exactly how long until the next October 31.
Getting ready for Halloween
Halloween sneaks up fast once autumn arrives. The countdown helps you plan ahead - time to choose a costume, carve a pumpkin, decorate the house and stock up on candy for trick-or-treaters, so everything is ready when the big night comes.
Frequently asked questions
When is Halloween?
Halloween is on October 31 every year. Its date never changes, and the countdown above shows exactly how many days are left until the next one.
How many days until Halloween?
The live countdown above shows the exact number of days, hours, minutes and seconds until the next October 31, and rolls over to the following year automatically.
Why do we celebrate Halloween?
Halloween grew out of the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and the Christian eve of All Saints' Day. Today it is a fun holiday marked with costumes, trick-or-treating, pumpkins and spooky decorations.
Why is Halloween on October 31?
It falls on the eve of All Saints' Day (November 1). The name comes from 'All Hallows' Eve', and many of its customs trace back to old autumn and harvest festivals marking the turn toward winter.
Is the date of Halloween always the same?
Yes — Halloween is fixed on October 31 every year, so only the day of the week changes. The countdown simply tracks the time left until that fixed date.