90 Spine-Chilling Halloween Trivia Questions and Answers

Halloween is beloved for its playful mischief and spine-tingling thrills, but few know the eerie stories behind popular customs and ghoulish festivities. Whether you consider yourself an autumn aficionado, horror movie maven, or party planner extraordinaire, test your holiday smarts and discover fascinating facts with these 90 curated Halloween trivia questions and answers. Grab your broomstick and get ready—the ultimate Halloween quiz awaits!

Table of Contents

• History and Origins of Halloween
• Traditional Customs & Superstitions
• Halloween Candy and Treats
• Costumes and Decorations
• Scary Movies and Pop Culture
• Miscellaneous Spooky Trivia
• Frequently Asked Questions

History and Origins of Halloween

Before modern trick-or-treating and jack-o’-lanterns, Halloween grew from ancient roots woven with superstition and spiritual observance. Discover how history helped shape the holiday we know today.

• Question: What ancient Celtic festival is considered the predecessor of Halloween?
  Answer: Samhain. This pagan festival marked the end of harvest and the beginning of winter, when spirits were believed to roam the earth.
• Question: What Catholic holiday helped evolve Halloween’s traditions?
  Answer: All Saints’ Day (also called All Hallows’ Day), celebrated on November 1st. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, then Halloween.
• Question: Which New World immigrants contributed to American Halloween customs?
  Answer: Irish and Scottish immigrants brought many traditions, including jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating.
• Question: Which vegetable was originally carved for lanterns in Ireland?
  Answer: Turnips. Pumpkins replaced turnips in the United States.
• Question: What did the Celts believe happened on Samhain night?
  Answer: The veil between the worlds of the living and dead was thinnest; spirits were thought to cross over.
• Question: Why did Celts light bonfires on Halloween?
  Answer: To ward off evil spirits and celebrate the coming new year.
• Question: Which Roman festival likely influenced Halloween traditions?
  Answer: The Feralia festival, which commemorated the passing of the dead.

Traditional Customs & Superstitions

Halloween’s enduring customs are steeped in centuries-old superstitions, fortune-telling rites, and regional practices that have evolved over time. From magical apple peels to ghostly games, here’s a glimpse into their spooky origins.

• Question: What did Scottish women hang to see their future husbands on Halloween?
  Answer: Wet sheets in front of a fire, hoping to glimpse their husband’s apparition.
• Question: Why did some women throw apple peels behind them on Halloween?
  Answer: The peel was believed to land in the shape of their future husband’s initials.
• Question: What is the tradition involving mirrors and stairs at midnight on Halloween?
  Answer: Women would walk downstairs backward with a mirror at midnight, hoping to see their future boyfriend’s reflection.
• Question: Why do some people wear clothes inside out on Halloween?
  Answer: To see a witch at midnight, according to superstition.
• Question: On what night is cabbage often used in pranks—and what is it called?
  Answer: Mischief Night (also called Cabbage Night) involves pranks featuring cabbage.
• Question: In the U.S., what is Des Moines’ pre-Halloween festivity?
  Answer: Beggar’s Night: kids perform jokes, recite poems, or dance for candy.
• Question: Where did trick-or-treating originate?
  Answer: Medieval Europe’s “souling”: the poor begged for soul cakes, offering prayers for the dead.

Halloween Candy and Treats

Sweet treats and over-the-top candy bowls are Halloween essentials—how much do you know about the sugary side of this haunted holiday?

• Question: What is the most consumed Halloween treat in America?
  Answer: Candy corn, with about 35 million pounds produced annually.
• Question: When did the tradition of handing out candy to trick-or-treaters become popular?
  Answer: After World War II, when sugar rationing ended.
• Question: Which candy was originally called “Chicken Feed”?
  Answer: Candy corn.
• Question: What was the first fun-size candy bar?
  Answer: The Milky Way.

Costumes and Decorations

Halloween wouldn’t be the same without creative costumes, haunted house decor, and flickering jack-o’-lanterns. Uncover the backstories behind these traditions.

• Question: What was the purpose of wearing costumes on Halloween in early days?
  Answer: To disguise oneself from wandering spirits.
• Question: Which famous magician died on Halloween?
  Answer: Harry Houdini.
• Question: Who was the first First Lady to decorate the White House for Halloween?
  Answer: Mamie Eisenhower in 1958.
• Question: What fruit or vegetable is iconic for Halloween carving?
  Answer: The pumpkin (originally turnips in Ireland and Scotland).
• Question: What does carving a face into a pumpkin represent?
  Answer: Warding off evil spirits, inspired by the legend of “Stingy Jack.”

Scary Movies and Pop Culture

No Halloween trivia is complete without classic horror movies and spooky TV specials. Test your knowledge of pop culture and big-screen screams!

• Question: What mask does Michael Myers wear in the original Halloween movie?
  Answer: A spray-painted white William Shatner mask (Star Trek).
• Question: Which film in the Paranormal Activity franchise was most commercially successful?
  Answer: Paranormal Activity 3.
• Question: Which horror film tagline is “In space no one can hear you scream”?
  Answer: Alien (1979).
• Question: In which movie do witches turn children into mice?
  Answer: The Witches, based on Roald Dahl’s book.
• Question: What is the name of Dracula’s sidekick?
  Answer: Renfield.
• Question: What is the name of the fictional town where Halloween (1978) takes place?
  Answer: Haddonfield, Illinois.
• Question: Who played Frankenstein’s monster in the 1931 classic?
  Answer: Boris Karloff.

Miscellaneous Spooky Trivia

From animal legends to international celebrations, these quirky facts will surprise even seasoned Halloween fans.

• Question: What pet is traditionally associated with witches?
  Answer: Black cats.
• Question: What is Halloween called in Mexico, where it is celebrated as a day to honor ancestors?
  Answer: El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
• Question: What was the original color paired with orange for Halloween?
  Answer: Black (symbolizing death and darkness).
• Question: What vegetable did ancient Romans eat for good luck on Halloween?
  Answer: Onions.
• Question: Which iconic ghost appears in Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”?
  Answer: Jacob Marley.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What’s the real story behind jack-o’-lanterns?

A: Jack-o’-lanterns stem from the Irish legend of “Stingy Jack,” a deceitful man doomed to wander the earth with only a carved turnip for a lantern after tricking the Devil.

Q: Why do kids trick-or-treat for candy instead of soul cakes today?

A: The tradition developed from “souling” and evolved in America as candy became a cheap, widely available treat after WWII, replacing soul cakes and seasonal nuts.

Q: Is Halloween celebrated the same way in every country?

A: No. While many Western nations have trick-or-treating, other countries celebrate the day honoring ancestors (like Mexico’s Day of the Dead) or regional customs including lantern festivals, bonfires, and honoring saints.

Q: Why are black cats considered unlucky during Halloween?

A: Black cats are associated with witches and supernatural superstition throughout folklore, often viewed as omens or magical familiars.

Q: What are the best Halloween movies to watch on October 31?

A: Favorite Halloween movies include classics like “Halloween” (1978), “Hocus Pocus,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “Casper,” “The Addams Family,” and horror favorites such as “The Exorcist,” “Scream,” and “Beetlejuice.”

Halloween Trivia Challenge: Final Tips

• Share these questions at parties, school events, or family gatherings.
• Organize themed rounds for history, pop culture, candy, and superstitions.
• Mix easy and hard questions to engage all ages.
• Consider small prizes for top trivia performers—a sweet treat or spooky decor!
• Encourage participants to share their favorite Halloween facts or traditions for bonus points.

Ready to Test Your Knowledge?

Halloween’s legacy is as mysterious as the night itself—behind every trick, treat, ghost, and gourd lies centuries of vibrant stories. With these 90 trivia questions and answers, you’ll reveal the secret side of the season and have fun doing it. Remember: when the clock strikes midnight on All Hallows’ Eve, a little knowledge can be your spookiest superpower!

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Medha DebCommerce Editor

 

Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts. She specializes in the areas of beauty, health, and wellness and is committed to ensuring that the content on the website is of the highest quality.

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