152 Halloween Essay Topics & Prompts

Welcome to the spooky world of Halloween!

As the leaves turn orange and the nights grow longer, our thoughts turn to the enchanting holiday. Halloween is a time of mystery, creativity, and celebration. All this makes it a perfect subject for essays! You can delve into its history, traditions, and cultural significance. Check out our Halloween essay topics and writing prompts to create a unique and exciting text everyone will like!

🐈‍⬛ Halloween Essay Topics

1. Examine the role of Allhallowtide in the history of Halloween.
2. Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos: similarities and differences.
3. Paganism in the history of modern Halloween celebrations: Celtic Samhain.
4. Lemuralia feasts in ancient Rome and modern Halloween: parallels and contrasts.
5. How Halloween got its date: the contributions of Gregory III.
6. How medieval souling contributed to modern Halloween customs.
7. Describe the history of jack-o’-lanterns since the nineteenth century.
8. Stingy Jack and associated mythology in the history of Halloween.
9. Cultural appropriation in Halloween outfits: how to avoid offensive apparel choices.
10. Discuss a list of popular Halloween costumes that should be banned.
11. Key similarities and differences between Halloween and Guy Fawkes Night.
12. American Puritans’ opposition to Halloween: a review of causes and outcomes.
13. Analyze the Scottish immigration’s role in Halloween’s popularization in the nineteenth-century U.S.
14. Write about the spread of Halloween across Europe in the last fifty years.
15. How skeletons and skulls have become the symbols of Halloween.
16. Compare the trick-or-treating practices in the U.S. and Canada.
17. Trick-or-treating in the U.S. versus Mexican Calavera traditions: etiquette differences.
18. Explore the representations of trick-or-treating practices in modern movies and cartoons.
19. Age limit regulations for trick-or-treating activities: pros and cons.
20. How Halloween traditions support charity: the Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF program.
21. Is Halloween tailgating (trunk-or-treating) a safer alternative to trick-or-treating?
22. The origins of costume parties during Halloween: the Danse Macabre tradition.
23. Describe the most popular Halloween costume options in the U.S. today.
24. Halloween costume trend history: from supernatural beings to movie characters.
25. Study the origins of the trend for revealing and sexualized Halloween costumes.
26. Adult-oriented costumes as an offensive and harmful tendency in Halloween celebrations.
27. How Halloween costumes promote a unique form of self-expression.
28. New ethical issues: Halloween costumes that create an impression of disabilities or disfigurements.
29. Write about trick-or-treating as a tradition that might put children at risk.
30. Is an apple one of the key symbols of Halloween?
31. Analyze the debate over Halloween decorations looking like dismembered body parts.
32. New Halloween traditions: gross foods shaped like body parts.
33. Discuss the tradition of dressing like horror movie characters on Halloween.
34. Barmbrack as a symbol of Halloween in Ireland.
35. Study the history of bonfire toffee as a Halloween treat.
36. The modern soul cake Halloween practices in the United States.
37. Haunted house attractions associated with Halloween: history and recent trends.
38. Describe the scariest haunted houses in the United States.
39. Hocus Pocus (1993) as a classic Halloween movie for families.
40. Religious opposition to Halloween celebrations in the 21st century.
41. Halloween is humanity’s way to come to terms with mortality.
42. Is dressing one’s pets up for Halloween a cruel trend?
43. Halloween games to predict one’s date of death: current controversies.
44. The lost Halloween traditions: How to see your future spouse.
45. Give the reasons why Halloween divination games should or should not become a ubiquitous tradition again.
46. Examine the role of apples in traditional Halloween divination activities.
47. Describe the history of the Orton and Spooner Ghost House.
48. The science of Halloween: why do we enjoy being scared?
49. Write about the perspectives on Halloween in the modern pagan religious movements.
50. How have witches become a symbol of Halloween?
51. Apple peeling as a Halloween divination activity for young women.
52. Explore the modern Wiccans’ attitudes to observing Halloween traditions.
53. Dia das Bruxas as a Brazilian version of Halloween.
54. Discuss the recent Halloween celebration traditions in Rio De Janeiro.
55. The Day of the Dead in Ecuador: similarities to Halloween.
56. Explain how bats became a popular symbol of Halloween.
57. Describe the current Halloween traditions and costume party practices in Chile.
58. How were Halloween traditions brought to Australia in the 1800s?
59. Why does the Orthodox Church treat participation in Halloween celebrations negatively?
60. Why is Halloween considered haram in most Muslim-majority countries?
61. Halloween spreads to Muslim states: controversy in Saudi Arabia.
62. Analyze the main contradictions between Halloween celebrations and Halakhah in Judaism.
63. Spikes in crime during Halloween celebrations: myths and realities.
64. Medieval mumming plays: overview and influences on modern trick-or-treating.
65. Pangangaluluwa in the Philippines and trick-or-treating: similarities and differences.
66. Write about the history of apple bobbing as a traditional Halloween game.
67. Study how black spiders became a well-known Halloween symbol.
68. Explain the most popular Halloween superstitions related to bad luck.
69. People’s favorite Halloween-themed songs in the U.S.
70. The long-standing tradition of pumpkin carving in the U.S.
71. How are Celtic end-of-harvest practices related to modern jack-o’-lantern traditions?
72. The Haunted Mansion in New Orleans and Halloween popularization
73. Explore the representations of Halloween traditions in Nightmare Before Christmas.
74. Backyard bonfire parties as a modern Halloween practice.
75. How has jack-o’-lanterns’ appearance changed since the 19th century?
76. Examine the most popular Halloween stories for children.
77. The Halloween Museum of Salem: 5 most fascinating artifacts.
78. Why should Halloween become an official holiday in the U.S.?
79. The commercialization of Halloween in the 20th-century United States.
80. Discuss the history of the annual Village Halloween Parade in New York City.
81. The popularization of trick-or-treating in the Dominican Republic.
82. Describe the most popular Halloween face paint designs.
83. How do Halloween and Dia de Los Muertos influence each other?
84. Research how China’s Ghost Festival traditions resemble Halloween in the U.S.
85. Compare the Halloween events in Hong Kong and California Disneyland parks.
86. Examine the history of Halloween Street parties in Lan Kwai Fong.
87. Controversial traditions: Yakuza families’ participation in trick-or-treat events in Japan.
88. How Halloween has come to Taiwan: The Tianmu Halloween Festival.
89. Do Halloween and the Zhongyuan Festival have anything in common?
90. How the Hallozween magazine helps popularize Halloween in Australia.
91. Germany’s Halloween culture: Kürbisfest (Annual Pumpkin Festival.)
92. History of colcannon as a traditional Halloween food in Ireland.
93. Differences between Sardinian Concas de Mortu and American jack-o’-lanterns.
94. Write about modern Halloween party practices in Transylvania and Bran Castle.
95. How Halloween is different from La Castanyada celebrated in Spain.
96. Conflicts between Halloween and All Hallow’s Eve traditions in Sweden.
97. Discuss Scottish Halloween traditions as depicted in Robert Burns’s Halloween.
98. Explore the popular Halloween costumes of the early 20th century.
99. How trick-or-treating has evolved recently: trunk-or-treat events.
100. Why has Rwanda imposed an official ban on Halloween celebrations?
101. The emergence of professional haunted houses in the U.S.
102. Celtic Samhain is the source of Halloween bonfire traditions.
103. Pranks as a unique part of modern-day Halloween celebrations.
104. Is banning Halloween celebrations for religious reasons right or wrong?
105. The banning of Halloween events in Mongolia: religious causes.
106. Explain the negative attitudes to Halloween traditions in Ghana.
107. How have Halloween greeting card designs changed since the 1900s?
108. Analyze the Halloween postcard craze in the early 1900s in the U.S.
109. Forgotten Halloween traditions: divination rituals using hazelnuts.
110. The festival of Pomona as a contributor to modern Halloween.
111. Examine the prophetic dreams’ roles in Halloween traditions of the past centuries.
112. Items to be hidden in Irish Barmbrack and their meanings.
113. Study the history of Halloween poisoned candy myths in the U.S.
114. Analyze the parallels between Halloween and the Pitru Paksha festival.
115. Religious objections to Halloween among modern U.S. citizens.
116. The forgotten meaning of guising: a way to confuse ghosts.
117. Discuss the Great Depression’s contributions to the emergence of haunted houses.
118. Describe the Halloween divination forms popular among youth in the U.S.
119. The history of Scottish bannocks as a Halloween meal.
120. Traditional Halloween activities in Ireland: blindfolding divination games.
121. The impact of Halloween on U.S. culture.
122. Explain the benefits of celebrating Halloween in America’s schools.
123. Halloween and cultural identity: celebrating diversity and inclusion.
124. Give reasons for celebrating Halloween in the USA.
125. The role of gender identity in Halloween outfits.
126. Discuss the opportunities for annual Halloween celebrations in schools.
127. The economic impact of Halloween: consumerism and seasonal marketing.
128. Write about the best aspect of Halloween celebrations.
129. The haunting art of Halloween photography: capturing the eerie beauty of the season.
130. How to select the organizational team for the Halloween competition.
131. What role does Halloween play in tourism?
132. Discuss the methods of conducting Halloween festive events in schools.
133. Explain the mythology behind vampires, werewolves, and other supernatural beings associated with Halloween.
134. Reasons why Halloween is the best holiday.
135. Halloween as an integral part of American culture.
136. Come up with the criteria for the Halloween costume contest.

🎃 Halloween Essay Prompts

Halloween Informative Essay

137. Origins of Halloween and its creators.
     Halloween celebration is believed to have originated from Gaelic traditions. The people used to celebrate the season of harvest, which set the foundation for the All Saints’ Eve. After spreading to different countries, Halloween underwent transformations to become the way it is today.
138. What is the meaning behind the Halloween celebration?
     Halloween is an old celebration of the eve of All Saints’ Day. On October 31, pagans used to go from door to door, wearing costumes. As a result, the pagan tradition was maintained for centuries.
139. When did Halloween start to be celebrated in the U.S.?
     There were no Halloween celebrations when the United States first appeared. However, immigrants coming to the new country brought it with them, which led to the amalgamation of settlers’ beliefs. Consequently, in the 19th century, Americans first started to celebrate Halloween.
140. In what countries is Halloween celebrated?
     Halloween is a celebration that has many analogs across the world. For example, in Mexico, there is Dia De Los Muertos. Meanwhile, the Chinese celebrate the Ghost Festival. Unique variations of Halloween can be found in many countries outside of Europe and the U.S.
141. Traditions of Halloween celebration.
     Children adore celebrating Halloween, so it is generally considered a family-friendly event. Children usually wear costumes of their favorite characters and go from door to door to receive candy. The main tradition of this day is trick-or-treating.
142. Definition of the Halloween Day.
     Halloween is an old tradition of celebrating the supernatural, the macabre, and the mystical. This celebration dates back to the pagan times and has a specific meaning. The name “Halloween” is a slight modification of All Hallows’ Eve, which is the day of remembering the dead.
143. How is Halloween celebrated in the U.S.?
     Many people think of Halloween as the day when children dress up and go trick-or-treating. However, it also involves many other activities. For example, millions enjoy pulling mischievous pranks or throwing costume parties.

Persuasive Essay on Halloween

144. Reasons to establish Halloween as an official holiday in schools.
     In this essay, you argue and show why celebrating Halloween is important. To make the writing more engaging, you should include compelling reasons why students deserve a holiday, fun activities associated with Halloween, and how it can boost student morale.
145. Halloween is a way of normalization of interpersonal relationships.
     This essay can explore how celebrating Halloween positively impacts student relationships. It could focus on the idea that students who make friends outside of class have more fruitful interactions in the classroom. Additionally, it can discuss how Halloween celebrations help introverted individuals socialize.

Narrative Halloween Essay

146. Review and identify the best part of Halloween to celebrate in schools.
     Your essay could be dedicated to including Halloween elements in the school recreation program. It involves choosing a perfect time for the event, selecting qualified staff, and organizing activities within the school, so students don’t have to leave.
147. Definition of contests that can be included in the celebration.
     In this paper, consider different parameters for selecting events in schools. A highlight could be a competition for the best costume among students within each school and between schools. It fosters a sense of competition and supports students’ creative ideas.
148. Ways to organize the celebration of Halloween in schools.
     This essay should provide methods for teachers to create a safe environment during the event. It can explore ways to organize a celebration while ensuring safety precautions. Come up with a scenario allowing students to have fun, take a break from schoolwork, and avoid injuries.

Halloween Compare & Contrast Essay

149. Halloween vs. Danish Fastelavn.
     Fastelavn and Halloween are similar in many ways. For example, they involve children dressing in costumes and going from door to door to receive treats. But they also have differences. Halloween involves collecting candy, and during Fastelavn, children receive money. Moreover, Halloween intends to create a mysterious atmosphere, and Fastelavn is a cheerful celebration.
150. Mexican Day of the Dead vs. Halloween.
     Day of the Dead can be compared to Halloween since they both involve props, such as skeletons, skulls, coffins, and similar objects. However, the Day of the Dead uses them since it is the day of honoring those who passed away. Meanwhile, Halloween involves dressing in costumes not necessarily connected to the deceased.
151. German Walpurgis Night vs. Halloween essay.
     Both Walpurgis Night and Halloween can be considered family-friendly events that involve creating an entertaining atmosphere for the children using scary motifs. However, Walpurgis Night is centered around pagan folklore, inspired by witches and evil spirits evil. Meanwhile, Halloween illustrates horror motifs, including corpses and afterlife-related scenarios.
152. Chinese Ghost Festival vs. Halloween essay.
     Just like Halloween, Ghost Festival focuses on the spirits of the afterworld. However, while the Ghost Festival focuses on food offerings and the burning of symbolic objects made of paper, Halloween involves less formal rituals.

✅ How to Use Our Topic Collection

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❓ Halloween Essay FAQ

🔗 References

1. Halloween: Origins, Meaning & Traditions: History Channel
2. 8 Halloween Symbols and Their Meanings: Depositphotos Blog
3. How Halloween Is Celebrated Around the World: NPR
4. American Halloween Traditions: HowStuffWorks
5. The Origins of Halloween Traditions: Library of Congress
6. How to Throw a Halloween Party (with Pictures): wikiHow
7. Should Christians Celebrate Halloween? Here’s Why…: Time Magazine
8. Halloween Is for Kids. Why Can’t We Celebrate It at School?: WeAreTeachers
9. The Surprising Countries Around the World That Don’t Celebrate Halloween: Newsweek
10. History of Halloween: World History Encyclopedia