Are you ready for the spookiest time of the year? These 15 fang-tastic Halloween facts are packed with ancient traditions, sweet trivia, creepy legends, and a bunch of pumpkin. Whether you love tricks, treats, or just a bit of spooky history, there's something here for every Halloween fan!

Check out our Halloween hub for more frightful frights! Or if you fancy yourself as a spine-tingling smarty pants, take a look at our Halloween quiz. If you're a sucker for vampires check out these blood-curdling vampire facts!

1. The USA spends A LOT on Halloween sweets

Every year, Americans spend about $2.6 billion on Halloween sweets! That's roughly 600 million pounds of sweet treats— that's enough to fill 10 ships! We imagine that dentists are totally fine with this fact.

2. Trick or treat began in the Middle Ages

Did you know that trick or treating was known as 'souling' in the Middle Ages? Children would go door to door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for little treats called "soul cakes". Imagine getting a cake instead of a chocolate bar – it would get crushed in your trick or treat bag!

3. Black cats aren't bad luck

Black cats have a spooky reputation because some people believe they're bad luck. This feline-based superstition started back in the Middle Ages, when folks thought witches could turn into black cats. Today, we know black cats are just fluffballs who always demand a second helping of breakfast when you're trying to get ready.

4. Halloween is over 6000 years old!

Halloween's roots stretch back over thousands of years to the Celtic festival of Samhain! The Celts believed spirits visited Earth on October 31, so they lit bonfires and wore costumes to spook them away. It’s kind of like a prehistoric costume party. Asking your neighbours for sweets didn't start to happen until much later.

5. Some people are scared of Halloween! It’s called Samhainophobia.

 Samhainophobia is when you have a fear of Halloween. Halloween originated in Ireland, the name comes from 'Samhain' - a pagan Gaelic festival from the middle ages marking the end of harvest season. In early Irish mythology the belief was that the souls of the dead return home on one night of the year and must be appeased. Brrr!

6. The biggest pumpkin EVER weighed 1,872 pounds!

 That's a whopping 133 stone! This fantastic world record was set by pumpkin grower Norm Craven in 1993.

7. The word ‘witch’ was originally ‘wicce’

 Wicce means 'wise woman', so it’s actually sort of a compliment!

8. When Jack-o-lanterns were first invented people used turnips!

 People even used beets and even potatoes, too, while pumpkins didn't arrive on the Hallow-scene until later on. Those must have been some small lanterns... and try as we might, it's hard to imagine a scary turnip.

9. Famous magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween

 He was a pretty mysterious fellow, and this timing of his death just confirmed it. 

10. In 2020 Halloween had a full moon for the first time in 19 years!

 The next Halloween full moon won’t happen until 2039, so you've got plenty of time to get a loan of a telescope and maybe get a few snacks.

11. The word ‘Halloween’ originates from ‘All Hallows Eve’

This refers to the evening before All Hallows' Day, which is also known as All Saints' Day which takes place on November 1. The term 'hallow' is an old English word meaning 'saint' or holy person. All Hallows' Evening was shortened to 'Hallowe'en'. So now you know!

12. Jack O'Lanterns are named after a fellow called Stingy Jack!

Stingy Jack was a man who, according to Irish mythology - tricked the devil... as a result, he was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths!

13. Halloween in Hong Kong is known as 'Yue Lan'

Which translates to “Festival of the Hungry Ghosts” - during which fires are lit and food and gifts are offered up to all those angry spirits!

14. Want to see a Witch?

An old Halloween tradition says that if you put on all your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween, you'll see a Witch at midnight. And she'll probably think you look like a right wally with all your clothes inside out!

15. The White House is Haunted!

Legend has it that the White House is haunted by the ghosts of past US Presidents! Abraham Lincoln is said to be the most common sighting, but other Presidents have been spotted, and even Roosevelt's dog!