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Before pumpkins, they carved WHAT? The history behind Halloween’s traditions

Where did trick-or-treating come from? Why do we carve pumpkins at Halloween? And what does a man who tricked the Devil have to do with it all? HistoryExtra's Lauren Good explains all…

• Lauren Good

Published: October 29, 2026 at 9:59 AM

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From ancient Celtic festivals and medieval customs to ghostly folklore and the strange legend of Stingy Jack, Lauren Good draws on the HistoryExtra Halloween archive to reveal the surprising origins of the spooky season's best-loved traditions.

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Discover how bonfires, costumes, carved turnips and mischievous pranks evolved into the spooky celebration we know today.

Authors

Lauren GoodSenior content producer

Lauren Good is a senior content producer at HistoryExtra

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