Halloween is a traditional celebration that began

in Europe hundreds of years ago. At that time,

some people believed that ghosts of dead people

visited living people. Nowadays it is a special day

in several countries around the world, but it is

perhaps most popular in Canada and the United

States. It always falls on the same date every

year: October 31. Around this time, people like to

tell scary stories and watch horror movies. In the

evening on October 31, children wear costumes.

These are clothes that make them(1) look like

interesting animals, monsters or people. They

might be very funny or they might be quite scary.

The costumes often include a face mask or some

make-up painted on the person’s face. For

example, on Halloween you might see a dinosaur or an elephant, a witch with a

tall, black hat, or maybe even a ghost. Children then go from house to house and

ask for candy by saying, “Trick or treat?” Many older kids and adults also put on

costumes and go to Halloween parties. Jack - o’ lanterns are very common during

this time. A lot of people like to put them(2)

in their windows or just outside their

doors. They are pumpkins with lights inside and faces cut into them. In Mexico, a

similar traditional celebration is called ‘The Day of the Dead’ – family and friends

come together for three days to pray for and remember people who have died.

Most people, both young and old, have a lot of fun on Halloween. “Happy

Halloween” everyone!​