Halloween: 43 trivia questions with sources
Halloween history, costumes, folklore, games, symbols, foods, and public traditions without turning the category into a horror-film list.
43 questions · 17 easy, 15 medium, 11 hard · 43 with a source link
Suggested round splits
3 ways to break this category into rounds. The printed sheet keeps the whole list in one run, so split it while you plan rather than while you host.
Origins and customs
Calendar history, community traditions, games, and changing public practice.
Costumes and symbols
Dress, lanterns, colors, animals, plants, and familiar seasonal objects.
Folklore and stories
Legends, written characters, beliefs, and the sources behind common associations.
All 43 questions with answers
43 carry a pinned source revision
On what date is Halloween observed?
31 OctoberChecked against:
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825What is another traditional name for Halloween?
All Hallows' EveChecked against:
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825Halloween falls on the eve of which Western Christian feast?
All Hallows' DayChecked against:
Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, or All Saints' Eve, is a celebration observed in many countries on 31 October, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825Which group besides saints is remembered during Allhallowtide?
martyrsChecked against:
the time in the Christian liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825Which immigrants brought many Halloween customs to North America?
Irish and Scottish immigrantsChecked against:
Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825During which century did those customs reach North America?
the 19th centuryChecked against:
Celebrated in Ireland and Scotland for centuries, Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many Halloween customs to North America in the 19th century.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825Which three vegetarian foods does the source link to historical Halloween abstinence?
apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakesChecked against:
Historically, some Christians abstained from meat on All Hallows' Eve, a tradition reflected in the eating of certain vegetarian foods on this day, including apples, potato pancakes, and soul cakes.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halloween?oldid=1364130825On which date does Samhain fall?
1 NovemberChecked against:
is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season in autumn and beginning of winter
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447What seasonal transition does Samhain mark?
the end of the harvest season in autumn and beginning of winterChecked against:
is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season in autumn and beginning of winter
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447Samhain is the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for which month?
NovemberChecked against:
It is also the Irish and Scottish Gaelic name for November.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447When do Samhain celebrations begin?
the evening of 31 OctoberChecked against:
Celebrations begin on the evening of 31 October, since the Celtic day began and ended at sunset.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447Name the other three Gaelic seasonal festivals listed with Samhain.
Imbolc, Bealtaine, and LughnasaChecked against:
It is one of the four Gaelic seasonal festivals along with Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasa.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447Where did Samhain historically originate?
IrelandChecked against:
Historically it originated in Ireland and it was widely observed throughout Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447What are some Neolithic passage tombs aligned with at Samhain?
the sunriseChecked against:
Samhain is believed to have Celtic pagan origins, and some Neolithic passage tombs in Great Britain and Ireland are aligned with the sunrise at the time of Samhain.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447Which realm's boundary was thought to blur during Samhain?
the OtherworldChecked against:
Like Bealtaine, Samhain was a liminal or threshold festival, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld blurred.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447What was offered to the spirits at Samhain?
food and drinkChecked against:
At Samhain, they were appeased with offerings of food and drink to ensure the people and livestock survived the winter.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447Which costumed customs involved reciting verses for food?
Mumming and guisingChecked against:
Mumming and guising were part of the festival from at least the early modern era, whereby people went door-to-door in costume, reciting verses in exchange for food.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samhain?oldid=1352542447What phrase do costumed visitors use while trick-or-treating?
trick or treatChecked against:
During the evening of Halloween, on October 31, people in costumes travel from house to house, asking for treats with the phrase "trick or treat".
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958What is the usual treat in trick-or-treating?
candy/sweetsChecked against:
The "treat" is some form of confectionery, usually candy/sweets, although in some cultures money is given instead.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958What does the trick in trick-or-treating refer to?
mischiefChecked against:
The "trick" refers to a threat, usually idle, to perform mischief on the resident(s) or their property if no treat is given.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958Which house light can signal that Halloween candy is available?
porch lightsChecked against:
houses may also leave their porch lights on as a universal indicator that they have candy.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958In what year was North America's earliest known guising occurrence?
1898Checked against:
In North America, the earliest known occurrence of guising is from 1898, when children were recorded as having done this in the province of British Columbia, Canada.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958Where and when was trick or treat first recorded as an interjection?
Ontario in 1917Checked against:
The interjection "trick or treat!" was then first recorded in the Canadian province of Ontario in 1917.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trick-or-treating?oldid=1365391958What vegetable is most commonly carved into a jack-o'-lantern?
a pumpkinChecked against:
is a carved lantern, most commonly made from a pumpkin, or formerly a root vegetable such as a mangelwurzel, rutabaga or turnip.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o'-lantern?oldid=1365159595Which bog lights share their name with jack-o'-lanterns?
will-o'-the-wispsChecked against:
called jack-o'-lanterns (also known as will-o'-the-wisps).
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o'-lantern?oldid=1365159595Which Irish legend is tied to the jack-o'-lantern name?
Stingy JackChecked against:
the name also has ties to the Irish legend of Stingy Jack
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o'-lantern?oldid=1365159595What part of a pumpkin is cut off to form a jack-o'-lantern lid?
the topChecked against:
To make a jack-o'-lantern, the top of a pumpkin is cut off to form a lid
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o'-lantern?oldid=1365159595Which traditional light source goes inside a jack-o'-lantern?
a candle flame or tealightChecked against:
A light source, traditionally a candle flame or tealight, is placed within before the lid is closed.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack-o'-lantern?oldid=1365159595Why do apples float during apple bobbing?
less dense than waterChecked against:
Because apples are less dense than water, they will float at the surface.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_bobbing?oldid=1361752994How do players catch apples in apple bobbing?
with their teethChecked against:
Players (usually children) then try to catch one with their teeth.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_bobbing?oldid=1361752994Which body part is not allowed during apple bobbing?
armsChecked against:
Use of arms is not allowed, and the hands are often tied behind the back to prevent cheating.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_bobbing?oldid=1361752994What is apple bobbing called in Scotland?
dookingChecked against:
In Scotland, this may be called "dooking" (i.e., ducking).
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_bobbing?oldid=1361752994Into how many colored sections is candy corn typically divided?
three sectionsChecked against:
Candy corn is a candy typically divided into three sections of different colors, with a waxy texture and a flavor based on honey, sugar, and vanilla.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_corn?oldid=1364632121Which three ingredients define candy corn's stated flavor?
honey, sugar, and vanillaChecked against:
Candy corn is a candy typically divided into three sections of different colors, with a waxy texture and a flavor based on honey, sugar, and vanilla.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_corn?oldid=1364632121What are the traditional colors of candy corn?
yellow, orange, and whiteChecked against:
Candy corn's traditional colors of yellow, orange, and white represent the colors of the fall harvest, or of corn on the cob.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Candy_corn?oldid=1364632121On which two dates is the Day of the Dead traditionally celebrated?
November 1 and 2Checked against:
is a holiday traditionally celebrated on November 1 and 2, though other days, such as October 31 or November 6, may be included depending on the locality.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead?oldid=1365909421What Spanish name is used for Day of the Dead marigolds?
cempazúchitlChecked against:
honoring the deceased using calaveras and marigold flowers known as cempazúchitl
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead?oldid=1365909421What are Day of the Dead home altars called?
ofrendasChecked against:
building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead?oldid=1365909421Which traditional bread is shared for Day of the Dead?
pan de muertoChecked against:
to share traditional pan de muerto with family and friends
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Day_of_the_Dead?oldid=1365909421From what year is the novelty song Monster Mash?
1962Checked against:
"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Mash?oldid=1352369377Who recorded the novelty song Monster Mash?
Bobby "Boris" PickettChecked against:
"Monster Mash" is a 1962 novelty song by Bobby "Boris" Pickett.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Mash?oldid=1352369377During which dates did Monster Mash top the Billboard chart in 1962?
October 20–27Checked against:
The "Monster Mash" single was number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart on October 20–27 of that year, just before Halloween.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monster_Mash?oldid=1352369377Who wrote the Gothic novel Frankenstein?
Mary ShelleyChecked against:
Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus is an 1818 Gothic novel written by English author Mary Shelley.
Source: Wikipedia, pinned revisionPrint source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frankenstein?oldid=1365478923