When is Halloween 2024? Everything you need to know about Night of the Dead. Even though there are still a few weeks left, Halloween is undoubtedly the holiday that monopolizes attention throughout the month of October. With an atmosphere full of mystery, fantasy and a touch of terror, this festival has managed to establish itself as one of the most popular in many parts of the world. And although many know that Halloween is celebrated at the end of October, Not everyone knows precisely when it falls each yearand above all what is really celebrated. In 2024this date continues to arouse curiosity about its roots, its customs and the origin of this “night of the dead” which has evolved over time.
Interestingly, Halloween, despite its enormous popularity, remains a mystery to many people when it comes to its origins. Why is it celebrated the way we do today? And above all, how did this ancient tradition become one of the most commercialized dates? Every October comes not only the costumes and treats, but also the desire to know a little more about this holiday. which merges cultures and eras. If you are one of those who like to dress up, decorate or simply experience the Halloween atmosphere, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about this holiday that will arrive, as they say, at the end of the month, leaving also makes room for another celebration which, on the other hand, has much more “weight” or is more traditional in our country and is none other than the celebration of All Saints’ Day.
When is Halloween 2024?
Like every year, Halloween is celebrated on the night of October 31, which this year 2024 falls on a Thursday.. As usual, the evenings before will be full of activities linked to the party: terrifying decorations in the houses, theme evenings and inevitable costume parades. But also in many countries like Spain, the next day i.e. November 1 is a religious holiday since it is celebrated he All the relics, Halloween therefore presents itself as a perfect prelude to a day of meditation. So if you’re planning to celebrate, keep in mind that The previous weekend, October 26 and 27, will also be an opportunity to enjoy entertainment and activities. linked to the party.
Origin of the Halloween holiday
Halloween has its roots in an ancient Celtic holiday called Samhain.which took place over 2,000 years ago in the areas we know today as Ireland, Scotland and northern France. This festival marked the end of the harvest and the start of the Celtic New Year, while also symbolizing the transition into the darkest season of the year. The Celts believed that on the night of Samhain, the barrier between the world of the living and the dead weakened, allowing spirits to temporarily return to the underworld. To protect themselves from these spirits and honor their ancestors, they lit large bonfires, dressed in skins and left offerings of food.
With the arrival of Christianity, the Catholic Church attempted to Christianize the Celtic festival of Samhain.fixing All Saints’ Day on November 1st. This is how the day before this day, called “All Hallows’ Eve”, eventually became what we know today as Halloween. Over time, pagan and Christian practices merged, giving rise to current customs such as wearing costumes and nighttime celebrations.
Difference with All Saints’ Day
Although Halloween and All Saints’ Day are celebrated on consecutive dates, The two festivities have very different meanings and origins. While we’ve already mentioned that Halloween has its pagan roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain, and is also focused on fantasy, costumes, and the mystery of the night, All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1, has a more solemn religious dimension. This Catholic holiday honors martyrs and saints who do not have a specific day on the calendar, being a time of contemplation and prayer to remember deceased loved ones. Halloween, on the other hand, has become a recreational and commercial holiday, especially in countries like the United States, where celebrations with costumes and candy predominate. However, in many cultures the two days are closely linked in collective memory, merging the mystical and the spiritual.
Curiosities of the night of the dead
The evolution of Halloween is fascinating, especially considering how it has changed over time and across cultures. Irish immigrants brought the holiday to the United States in the 19th century, where it began to become popular.. The festival has acquired, as they say, a more playful and commercial approach, including emblematic elements such as pumpkins carved with faces, which replaced the turnips initially used in Europe. One of the most interesting curiosities is the tradition of “trick or treat”.where disguised children go from house to house asking for candy. This custom is believed to come from an ancient practice of leaving food to appease the spirits or from the medieval tradition of asking for food in exchange for prayers for the souls of the deceased.
Another curious fact is how orange and black became the predominant colors of Halloween. Orange represents fall harvests and pumpkins, while black symbolizes death. and mystery. In addition, although it is a holiday mainly associated with the United States, Halloween has found its way to many other countries, including Spain, where it becomes more relevant every year with parties and activities themed. However you decide to celebrate Halloween in 2024, it’s the perfect time to let your imagination run wild and enjoy the magic of the most mysterious night of the year.
