9 Surprising Facts About Halloween: Masks, Giant Pumpkins and Ancient Traditions

When you think of Halloween, you might picture carved pumpkins, glowing lanterns, and frightening costumes. But the night of October 31 has a much more fascinating story behind it.

Some traditions originated in ancient folklore. Others gradually became children's activities. And some have evolved into major commercial industries.

In certain places, even wearing a Halloween mask can raise legal questions. Here are 10 surprising facts that reveal a different side of Halloween.

1. Halloween Masks Are Subject to Legal Restrictions in Some Places

A frightening mask can be one of the most recognizable parts of a Halloween costume. However, some US states have laws restricting the wearing of masks that conceal a person's identity.

For example, Georgia has a law that can make wearing a mask in public with the intent to conceal one's identity an offense under certain circumstances. The law also contains exceptions, including provisions relating to traditional costumes worn during designated holidays.

This means it would be misleading to say that everyone over the age of 16 is generally prohibited from wearing a Halloween mask in Georgia. The circumstances and applicable exceptions matter.

Similarly, it would be inaccurate to claim that California requires police permission for all Halloween masks throughout the state. The applicable rules can depend on the circumstances and any relevant local regulations.

The takeaway: Before wearing a costume that conceals your face, it is worth checking the rules that apply where you plan to celebrate.

2. Children Didn't Always Receive Candy on Halloween

Today, children may arrive at your door wearing costumes and hoping to collect chocolate and sweets. But the history of giving treats to visitors goes back much further than modern candy wrappers.

In parts of Europe, people participated in traditions in which they offered prayers for the souls of the dead in exchange for food. One practice associated with this custom was souling, which was linked to small sweet baked goods known as soul cakes.

Depending on the region and period, visitors might also receive fruit, nuts, or other food. The customs were not identical everywhere.

Modern trick-or-treating became increasingly popular in the United States during the 20th century. Candy manufacturers and retailers also helped turn the practice into the familiar Halloween tradition we know today.

The sweets children collect now can therefore be seen as a modern version of much older door-to-door customs.

3. Two Giant Pumpkins Were Turned Into a Zombie Sculpture

Pumpkin carving does not have to stop at a small lantern outside your front door. Sometimes, the results are so enormous that they look more like works of sculpture than Halloween decorations.

In 2011, artist Ray Villafane created a large zombie-themed sculpture in New York using two giant pumpkins. The pumpkins reportedly weighed approximately 825 kilograms and 768 kilograms.

The sculpture was completed over two days, on October 22 and 23. Together, the pumpkins weighed more than 1.5 tonnes.

The project demonstrated that pumpkin carving can be much more than a traditional seasonal craft. With enough patience, imagination, and skill, it can become an impressive form of sculpture.

4. Which Halloween Costumes Are Most Popular?

Not everyone chooses the same character for Halloween. Some people prefer classic horror figures, while others dress as superheroes, movie characters, or cute animals.

In the United States, the National Retail Federation's 2026 survey identifies witches and vampires among popular adult costume choices. Spider-Man is a popular choice for children, while pumpkin costumes rank among the leading options for pets.

These rankings reflect consumer preferences in the United States. They should not be treated as a universal list representing every country.

Still, they reveal two sides of Halloween: traditional spooky characters such as witches and vampires, and fun costumes inspired by popular entertainment and childhood favorites.

5. Where Did the Image of Witches Flying on Brooms Come From?

When many people imagine a witch, they picture a character wearing a pointed hat and black clothing, flying through the night on a broomstick. But how did the broom become part of this familiar image?

The association between witches and broomsticks developed through European folklore, historical beliefs about witchcraft, and later literature and popular culture.

In the past, certain plants, rituals, and everyday objects were connected with stories about magic and witchcraft. However, there is no reliable historical explanation establishing that witches originally used brooms simply as walking supports in the forest and that this led to the image of flying witches.

Today, the broomstick is one of the most recognizable symbols of a witch. Its popularity owes more to stories and centuries of cultural representation than to a clearly documented historical origin.

6. Apple Bobbing Was Once Associated With Love and Fortune-Telling

One traditional game you may encounter at a Halloween party is bobbing for apples.

Apples are placed in a container of water, and participants try to catch one using only their mouths, without using their hands.

In some autumn traditions in Britain and Ireland, apples were associated with love and marriage-related folklore. Certain stories suggest that the first person to catch an apple would be the first in the group to get married.

This is a folk belief, not a genuine way to predict the future. The game also did not necessarily have the same meaning in every region.

Nevertheless, the connection between a simple apple game and old romantic traditions illustrates how Halloween customs can carry different meanings over time.

7. Where Did the Myth of Unlucky Black Cats Come From?

Black cats frequently appear in Halloween decorations. A dark silhouette in a window or a black cat beside a glowing pumpkin has become a familiar seasonal image.

The association can be traced partly to historical European folk beliefs that linked black cats with witches. In some stories, cats were believed to serve as witches' supernatural companions. Such creatures were known in English as familiars.

These beliefs contributed to the association between black cats and bad luck. However, this was a superstition, not a scientific fact.

Black cats are ordinary domestic animals, just like cats of other colors. There is no scientific evidence that they bring bad luck or possess supernatural connections.

Their role in Halloween decorations today is largely a continuation of these old stories and the wider horror tradition.

8. Is Halloween the Second-Biggest Commercial Season After Christmas?

Halloween is a major commercial event, particularly in the United States. Costumes, candy, pumpkins, home decorations, parties, and themed attractions all contribute to seasonal spending.

In the US market, Halloween is often described as one of the largest commercial holidays after Christmas. However, this description should not be interpreted as a definitive worldwide ranking of all seasonal spending.

Halloween-related spending in the United States is expected to reach $13.5 billion in 2026. This includes a wide range of purchases, from costumes and decorations to candy and other seasonal products.

What was once associated with seasonal traditions and folklore has become an important sales period for many businesses.

9. Halloween Is No Longer Just One Night

Halloween takes place on October 31, but celebrations in many places extend beyond that single evening.

Throughout October, people can attend haunted attractions, themed film screenings, costume events, and family-friendly Halloween activities.

Haunted houses are particularly popular attractions. Visitors walk through dark corridors and encounter sound effects, elaborate sets, and actors who create an atmosphere of suspense and fear. The goal is to provide a frightening experience without exposing visitors to real danger.

These attractions also create work for performers, set designers, sound technicians, costume makers, and event organizers.

As a result, Halloween has become a weeks-long entertainment season in many places rather than a celebration limited to one night.

Conclusion: Halloween Is About More Than Fear

Describing Halloween only through scary costumes and glowing pumpkin lanterns overlooks the many different elements behind the tradition.

Old folk beliefs, apple-bobbing games, costume trends, and trick-or-treating all show how Halloween has changed over time. Giant pumpkin sculptures and haunted attractions reveal how the celebration has also developed into a modern entertainment industry.

Some Halloween stories are connected to historical practices. Others are legends passed down through generations. Understanding the difference makes the holiday even more interesting.

Perhaps the most surprising thing about Halloween is this: Symbols once associated with seasonal beliefs have become part of entertainment, creativity, and commerce in different parts of the world.