Halloween: more than just ghosts and goblins!

Halloween, the spooktacular holiday we all know and love, is just around the corner! While you might be busy planning your costume or carving pumpkins, there’s a lot more to this haunted holiday than meets the eye…

With its unique blend of ancient traditions, modern festivities, and a dash of eerie charm, our festivities may not rival the grandeur of American Halloween, but we certainly have our own fun & distinctive way of commemorating this spooky occasion!

So, grab your broomstick and let’s take a magical journey into the mysterious world of Halloween…

hISTORICAL roots

Halloween’s history here in the UK dates back centuries and is deeply intertwined with the Celtic festival of Samhain. Samhain, celebrated around October 31st, marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the darker, colder half of the year. It was believed that during this time, the boundary between the living and the dead was at its thinnest, allowing spirits to cross over. To ward off malevolent entities, people would light bonfires, wear masks and costumes, and offer food and drink to these restless souls.

As Christianity took root in the British Isles, Samhain merged with the Christian celebration of All Hallows’ Eve, eventually leading to the term as we now know it “Halloween.” It became a time for prayer, reflection, and paying respects to the deceased.

It’s clear to see how these historical traditions continue to influence the way we celebrate Halloween today…

Modern celebrations

Having now evolved into a vibrant celebration, it’s interesting to see how Halloween has combined its old customs with today’s contemporary trends. Lets take a look at some of the popular Halloween activities we’ve all become very accustomed to…

• Costumes:

Here in the UK, Halloween has retained many of the traditional practices, albeit with a modern twist. One of the most prominent customs is “guising,” where children dress up in costumes and go door-to-door, asking for sweets or money. This is reminiscent of the Celtic practice of wearing disguises to confuse and deter evil spirits.

Nowadays, dressing up in spooky or creative costumes is enjoyed by children and adults alike and has become a quintessential part of Halloween for us, often inspired by popular horror movies, classic monsters, or imaginative creations. Why not, dress up in your scariest outfit and join us at our annual fun Halloween party.

• Trick or Treating

As we all know, the tradition of children going from door to door in search of sweets and treats is a prominent feature of Halloween. Modern trick-or-treating has its origins in the medieval practice of “guising,” where people dressed up in costumes and went door-to-door, singing songs or telling jokes in exchange for food or money. The “trick” part of Halloween was initially meant to be a playful prank, but thankfully, it has evolved into a much sweeter tradition!

Nowadays, parents and households are usually well-prepared with a stock of sweet treats to share with these young visitors.

• Jack-o-lanterns

Carving pumpkins, known as “jack-o’-lanterns,” is another beloved Halloween tradition that originated in the UK and Ireland. The tradition of carving turnips and potatoes into lanterns has evolved into using pumpkins, which are easier to carve and have become a symbol of the holiday.

Nowadays, carving pumpkins into grinning, eerie faces is a time-honoured Halloween tradition and once carved are often placed outside homes to welcome trick-or-treaters. Why not share your pumpkin carvings on our facebook page or instagram.

• Bonfires and Fireworks

The tradition of bonfires at Halloween has its roots in ancient Celtic festivals, particularly the festival of Samhain as these were seen as a way to ward off any roaming spirits and to celebrate the harvest. It was believed they would help to purify and protect the community.

Nowadays, whilst not as prevalent as in the past, bonfires are sometimes still lit in various parts of the UK on Halloween, often accompanied by firework displays that light up the night sky as part of the festivities, bringing an extra dose of thrill and excitement to the evening.

• Haunted Attractions

With the UK boasting a rich history, it’s well believed that many of its old castles, homes, and historical sites are haunted.

Nowadays, during Halloween, these places often open their doors to thrill-seekers for ghost tours and spooky storytelling. Have a look at the monsters that have been seen in Leicester in the last week or so!

• Halloween Parties:

Halloween parties have their origins in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated around November 1st. Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when the boundary between the living and the dead was believed to be blurred.

Nowadays, despite these origins, the contemporary Halloween party is a fun and lighthearted celebration of the spooky and supernatural and a popular way to celebrate the holiday. People dress up, enjoy themed snacks and drinks, and participate in games and activities.

For the ultimate Spooktacular Halloween celebration, why not mark this special occasion by partying with us here at Oxygen Freejumping where you can enjoy some big heights and big frights!

With a live DJ, spooky face-painting, games with prizes, a special café menu plus so much more – you’d be ‘ghoulish’ not to come!

Just don’t forget your costume!