PELHAM, NY– Friday, October 31, 2025, the streets will be filled with ghosts, witches, and pirates filled with bags of candy and knocking on your doors! It’s finally Halloween! 

Historians believe Halloween dates back more than 2,000 years to a Celtic tradition. They believed that the spirits of the dead were thought to roam the earth the night before November 1st.  The Celtic people disguised themselves and put out food in order to make the spirits cheerful. The day was changed into All Saints Day by Christians. However, they still celebrated the night before with costumes and named it All Hallows’ Eve. Later, Europeans brought “Halloween” to the United States and the celebration continued. Which leads to today – kids still roam the streets in search of candy dressed in costumes. 

Trick-or-treating originated from a custom where poor people would beg at doors on November 1st. As communities in the United States evolved, trick-or-treating became a popular part of Halloween. It was easier to hand out candy than other food. Some people leave their candy on their door step, yet others leave their lights on to indicate to knock or ring the doorbell. 

There are four neighborhoods in Pelham that surround the elementary schools. So be wary, the kids know the popular spots. Pelham and Pelham Manor police recommend trick-or-treating from 5-9pm, but there is no specific Halloween curfew. The police department suggests that young children should stay with an adult and trick-or-treat during daylight hours. They remind everyone to inspect their candy before consuming, and drivers should be extra attentive to their surroundings. Happy Halloween!

Citation:

MLA FORMAT: Martin Emily, “History Of Trick-OR-Treating and How it Became a Tradition”, National Geographic, October 29, 2024.