The history of Halloween
We look at the origins of the calendar’s spookiest day
Halloween is one of the world’s most recognisable celebrations, rooted in ancient seasonal rites and spiritual beliefs that stretch back thousands of years. While many people associate Halloween with the United States and modern pop culture, its origins are far older — and it has a longer history in Australia than many realise.
Ancient Origins: Samhain and Celtic Tradition
Image: Sabina Music Rich
The earliest roots of Halloween trace back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in parts of what are now Ireland, Scotland and northern Europe more than 2,000 years ago. At Samhain, the end of summer and the harvest marked the beginning of a darker season, and people believed the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead was thinner, allowing spirits to return.
During Samhain, bonfires were lit, costumes were worn to ward off spirits, and offerings were made to honour the unseen. These themes of light in darkness and spiritual connection would carry forward as the holiday evolved.
Halloween comes to Australia
Contrary to the idea that Halloween was introduced only recently, evidence shows the tradition arrived in Australia much earlier. Scottish and Irish immigrants brought Halloween customs with them during the 19th century, and records from October 1858 in Castlemaine, Victoria are cited as the first documented Halloween celebration in Australia.
These early celebrations often included community gatherings, costumes, music, and storytelling — echoing the ancient Samhain traditions of festive ritual at the threshold of seasonal change.
Halloween in the Australian context
Although Halloween was present in Australia long before it became a commercial phenomenon, its prominence has grown unevenly over time. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Halloween balls, dances, and community events continued in local pockets, often led by Scottish and Irish cultural societies.
In the modern era, particularly since the late 20th century, global culture and media — including books, movies and social media — have amplified Halloween’s presence in Australian life. Trick-or-treating, costume parties and community festivals are now widely recognised, even as local customs and springtime weather give Australia’s celebrations a distinct flavour.
Not Just An “American Thing”
It’s a common misconception that Halloween is solely an American import. While contemporary Halloween culture — with pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating and commercial decorations — is strongly associated with the United States, the origins are European and ancient, and the celebration in Australia predates many modern cultural milestones.
For many Australians today, Halloween continues to be a blend of old and new: a time for costumes and community, memory and mystery, and creative expression rooted in centuries-old tradition.
Across Australia today, Halloween is celebrated in diverse ways:
Community trick-or-treating and yard decorations
Costume parties and themed events
School and family-friendly celebrations
Spooky-themed festivals and local gatherings
Each region and community often puts its own twist on the holiday, shaped by local weather, seasonal context (spring in Australia), and cultural influences.
From its ancient origins in the Celtic festival of Samhain to its historic celebrations in 19th-century Australia and its growing presence today, Halloween has a rich and layered history. It’s a celebration that bridges myth and community, tradition and creativity — and continues to evolve with each generation.