Halloween Events in West Berks

Looking for some Halloween Events in West Berks?

Check out these great events and activities, perfect for trick-or-treating and having a spook-tacular time!

Have you heard of Samhain?

It’s a  Gaelic festival that happens on November 1st.

It marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the winter season.

Samhain is one of four seasonal festivals, including Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa.

It used to be celebrated all throughout Ireland and Scotland.

During some Celtic celebrations of Samhain, villagers would dress up in animal skin costumes to ward off any spooky visitors.

They would prepare banquet tables and leave food out to appease any lingering spirits.

Poorer families would visit their wealthier neighbours and receive soul cakes in exchange for promising to pray for the homeowner’s deceased relatives.

Called “souling”, this tradition was later taken up by children, who would go door-to-door asking for gifts like food, money, and ale.

In Scotland and Ireland, young people took part in guising, dressing up in costumes and accepting offerings from various households.

Instead of promising to pray for the dead, they would sing, recite or perform a trick before collecting their reward which typically consisted of fruit, nuts or coins.

Only in modern times has this tradition evolved into sweets and chocolate.

Did you know why pumpkins have a rich history associated with Halloween?

Not only were they believed to ward off evil spirits, but carved pumpkins with candles were also used for protection on All Hallows’ Eve.

The Irish legend of Stingy Jack ties to the origins of the name.

According to a popular Irish legend, the origin of carving jack-o’-lanterns began with a man named “Stingy Jack.”

In the story, Jack convinces the devil to turn himself into a coin to pay for their drinks, but then keeps the money and traps the devil.

Eventually setting the devil free, Jack promises not to be bothered for ten years, but upon his death, neither heaven nor hell want him.

The devil gifts Jack a burning coal, which he puts in a turnip and uses as a lantern.

This ghostly figure came to be known as Jack of the Lantern, and later, Jack O’Lantern.

Today, jack-o’-lantern carving from pumpkins continues to be a  Halloween tradition in the United States and here.