Accessibility links
Halloween Halloween
Stories About

Halloween

Tuesday

Why the urban legend of contaminated Halloween candy won't disappear

Children go trick-or-treating on Oct. 31, 2022, in Houston. Brandon Bell/Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Brandon Bell/Getty Images

National

Why the urban legend of contaminated Halloween candy won't disappear

There is no evidence of any deaths or injuries from contaminated Halloween candy. Why are people still afraid of it?

Why the urban legend of contaminated Halloween candy won't disappear

Listen · 2:01
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1208459235/1209644594" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
What to know about trunk-or-treating, a trick-or-treating alternative

A car is open at a trunk-or-treat in 2014. The events allow children to collect candy from trunks of cars gathered in parking lots. Scott Maentz/Flickr Creative Commons hide caption

toggle caption
Scott Maentz/Flickr Creative Commons

National

What to know about trunk-or-treating, a trick-or-treating alternative

Trunk-or-treating has been popular among churches, where people gather in parking lots and decorate their car trunks. Here's a rundown of how it started and how to find one nearby.

We're spending $700 million on pet costumes in the costliest Halloween ever

Charlie the superdog is the only member of the King family who got two Halloween outfits this year. His other costume is a doughnut. Joelyne King hide caption

toggle caption
Joelyne King

Business

We're spending $700 million on pet costumes in the costliest Halloween ever

More U.S. shoppers are buying into Halloween this year, scaring up a new spending record for costumes, decorations, candy and cute outfits for pets.

We're spending $700 million on pet costumes in the costliest Halloween ever

Listen · 3:08
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1209521178/1209644576" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

A finance fright fest
TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

A finance fright fest

Halloween is just around the corner and our hosts are scrambling to find the perfect costume. Today on the show, we scare up fresh costume ideas based on Wall Street's scariest financial jargon. If you know where to look, you can find witches and zombies lurking near dark pools and shadow banks. Are these terms as scary as they sound?

A finance fright fest

Listen · 9:30
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1197956399/1209581919" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Saturday

Friday

Should my Halloween costume include a fake scar? This activist says no

Phyllida Swift posing with her scar. Alice Webb/Phyllida Swift hide caption

toggle caption
Alice Webb/Phyllida Swift

Perspective

Should my Halloween costume include a fake scar? This activist says no

For some, scars aren't just Halloween costumes. One activist asks us to think twice before using them.

Should my Halloween costume include a fake scar? This activist says no

Listen · 3:14
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1208753439/1208953233" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

The Dance of the Dead (2021)

Illustration by Hokyoung Kim. Illustration by Hokyoung Kim hide caption

toggle caption
Illustration by Hokyoung Kim

Throughline

The Dance of the Dead (2021)

Long before it was a sugary moviefest, the Halloween we know was called Samhain. The Celts of ancient Ireland believed Samhain was a night when the barrier between worlds was thin, the dead could cross over, and if you didn't disguise yourself, evil fairies might spirit you away. Over time the holiday shape-shifted too, thanks to the Catholic Church, pagan groups, and even the brewing company Coors. From the Great Famine of Ireland to Elvira and the Simpsons, we present the many faces of Halloween.

The Dance of the Dead (2021)

Listen · 50:20
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1198908127/1206267227" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Tuesday

Can't decide on a Halloween costume? These 5 questions can help

A little research can go a long way when brainstorming a Halloween costume. Personal stylist Sophie Strauss says she looks to recent pop culture — shows, movies, celebrities, trending news stories or phrases — as a fun place to start. Cavan Images/Getty Images/ hide caption

toggle caption
Cavan Images/Getty Images/

Life Kit

Can't decide on a Halloween costume? These 5 questions can help

It's hard to nail down a costume idea. You could be anything from an alien to Taylor Swift! Here's how to pick a getup without spending big bucks, or buying a prepackaged 'fit from the Halloween store.

Can't decide on a Halloween costume? These 5 questions can help

Listen · 18:24
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1196977994/1206314762" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Venture into the 'Fresh Air' crypt for a Halloween horror fest

Hand-carved pumpkins are displayed at Van Cortlandt Manor on Oct. 8, 2022, in Croton-on-Hudson, N.Y. Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

Movie Interviews

Venture into the 'Fresh Air' crypt for a Halloween horror fest

Fresh Air

Ever wonder what keeps Stephen King up at night, or which movie scenes make Jordan Peele jump? For Halloween this year, Fresh Air rebroadcasting archival interviews with masters of the horror genre.

Venture into the 'Fresh Air' crypt for a Halloween horror fest

Listen · 44:46
Transcript
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1132235091/1132896009" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript
Ready to toss out your pumpkins? Here's how to keep them out of the landfill

From October to December, Pumpkins For Pigs connects community members across the country with local farms, so their leftover pumpkins can be used for animal feed. Jennifer Seifert/Pumpkins For Pigs hide caption

toggle caption
Jennifer Seifert/Pumpkins For Pigs

Environment

Ready to toss out your pumpkins? Here's how to keep them out of the landfill

The U.S. produces billions of pumpkins each year, most of which end up in the trash when Halloween ends. From composting them to putting them out for wildlife to eat, here are some recycling ideas.

Tuesday

South Korea's prime minister and police admit failures leading to Halloween tragedy

A South Korean army soldier pays tribute to victims of a deadly accident following Saturday night's Halloween festivities on a street near the scene in Seoul, South Korea, Tuesday, Nov. 1, 2022. Ahn Young-joon/AP hide caption

toggle caption
Ahn Young-joon/AP

Asia

South Korea's prime minister and police admit failures leading to Halloween tragedy

South Korea's police chief admitted "a heavy responsibility" for failing to prevent a recent crowd surge that killed more than 150 people during Halloween festivities in Seoul.

Monday

The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

The Indicator from Planet Money

The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween

Spirit Halloween is known for its unique business model. On Halloween, we bring you an episode of It's Been A Minute about why this pop-up scheme is such a hit.

The Grim Reaper of retail: Spirit Halloween

Listen · 9:30
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/1132990673/1198988225" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
After Seoul's Halloween tragedy, South Koreans are searching for answers

Mourners in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul pay tribute Monday to the victims of a deadly crowd crush that took place during Halloween celebrations Saturday night. Chris Jung/NurPhoto / Getty Images hide caption

toggle caption
Chris Jung/NurPhoto / Getty Images

World

After Seoul's Halloween tragedy, South Koreans are searching for answers

As the police launch an investigation, the country is mourning the victims of Saturday night's deadly stampede in Itaewon. Eyewitnesses are lamenting the lack of crowd control measures.

Sunday