Halloween quiz questions for a spooky trivia night

Halloween brings costumes, sweets, and the perfect excuse for a themed quiz night. Here are five questions covering the history and traditions of All Hallows' Eve, from ancient Celtic roots to modern-day jack-o'-lanterns.

The questions

1Halloween has roots in which ancient Celtic festival, celebrated around 1st November to mark the end of harvest and beginning of winter?

Answer:Samhain (pronounced "sow-in" or "sah-win")(click to reveal)

The Celts believed the boundary between the living and dead became thin on this night. Many Halloween traditions trace back to Samhain rituals.

2Before pumpkins became the standard, what vegetable did Irish and Scottish people originally carve for Halloween lanterns?

Answer:Turnips (also accept swedes/rutabagas)(click to reveal)

Irish immigrants to America found pumpkins larger and easier to carve, so they switched. If you've ever tried to carve a turnip, you'll understand why.

3The name "jack-o'-lantern" comes from an Irish legend about a man named Stingy Jack. According to the tale, why is Jack doomed to wander the earth with only a carved vegetable for light?

Answer:He tricked the Devil and was denied entry to both Heaven and Hell(click to reveal)

The Devil gave him a burning coal, which Jack placed inside a carved turnip to light his endless wandering.

4In Mexico, which multi-day celebration honouring deceased loved ones overlaps with Halloween and features colourful altars, sugar skulls, and marigolds?

Answer:Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)(click to reveal)

Though often associated with Halloween, it's a distinct celebration with pre-Columbian roots. Families build ofrendas (altars) with photos, favourite foods, and marigolds to guide spirits home.

5The tradition of trick-or-treating evolved from a medieval practice called "souling." What did people receive in exchange for prayers for the dead?

Answer:Soul cakes (small spiced cakes)(click to reveal)

Poor people would go door-to-door on All Souls' Day (2nd November), offering prayers for the household's dead relatives in exchange for food.

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These questions work well in a horror film round or alongside a fancy dress parade.