Geography of Halloween

Facts from the original

• Halloween is celebrated on October 31, the day before the feast of All Hallows, also known as Hallowmas or All Saints' Day.
• Celebrations and observances occur primarily in regions of the Western world, with traditions varying significantly between geographical areas.
• On All Hallows' Eve, Christians in some parts of the world visit graveyards to pray and place flowers and candles on the graves of loved ones.
• Halloween is the United States' second most popular holiday (after Christmas) for decorating.
• The sale of candy and costumes is extremely common during Halloween, which is marketed to children and adults alike.
• The National Confectioners Association reported in 2005 that 80% of American adults planned to give out candy to trick-or-treaters.
• The NCA reported in 2005 that 93% of children planned to go trick-or-treating.
• According to the National Retail Federation, the most popular Halloween costume themes for adults are, in order: witch, pirate, vampire, cat, and clown.
• Each year, popular costumes are dictated by various current events and pop culture icons.
• On many college campuses, Halloween is a major celebration, with the Friday and Saturday nearest 31 October hosting many costume parties.
• Other popular Halloween activities are watching horror movies and visiting haunted houses.
• Total spending on Halloween is estimated to be $8.4 billion.
• An Associated Press survey found that 66% of American parents planned to take their children trick or treating; within the survey, 46% identified as Protestant and 24% as Catholic.
• The Brazilian NGO Amigos do Saci created Saci Day as a Brazilian parallel in opposition to the American-influenced Halloween that saw minor celebration in Brazil.
• The Saci is a mischievous evil character in Brazilian folklore.
• Saci Day is commemorated on October 31, the same day as Halloween, and is an official holiday in the state of São Paulo.
• Despite official recognition in São Paulo and several other municipalities throughout the country, few Brazilians celebrate Saci Day.
• Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos) is observed in Mexico and Mexican communities abroad and arose from the syncretism of indigenous Aztec traditions with the Christian Hallowtide of the Spanish colonizers.
• Flower decorations, altars and candies are part of the Day of the Dead holiday season.
• Day of the Dead is distinct from Halloween in its origins and observances, but the two have become associated because of cross-border connections between Mexico and the United States through popular culture and migration.
• Halloween and Día de Muertos occur at the same time of year and may involve similar imagery, such as skeletons.
• Halloween and Día de Muertos have influenced each other in some areas of the United States and Mexico, with Halloween traditions such as costumes and face-painting becoming increasingly common features of the Mexican festival.
• Traditional door-to-door trick or treating is not commonly practiced in Hong Kong because the vast majority of residents live in high-rise apartment blocks.
• In many Hong Kong buildings catering to expatriates, Halloween parties and limited trick or treating are arranged by the management.
• Street-level trick or treating in Hong Kong occurs in ultra-exclusive gated housing communities such as The Beverly Hills and in expatriate areas like Discovery Bay and the Red Hill Peninsula.
• For the general public in Hong Kong, events at Tsim Sha Tsui's Avenue of the Stars try to mimic the Halloween celebration.