Halloween

Halloween is a festival celebrated on October 31. It began long ago in Britain, when bonfires were lit to keep spirits and ghosts away. Today it is celebrated in many countries and has become a time for parties and games.

One game is called 'trick or treat', when children dress up in costumes and masks as ghosts or witches. Then they go to all the houses in their street and knock on the door. When the door is opened, they ask for 'treats' (sweets or pocket money). If they aren't given anything, they'll try to scare their neighbours.

One of the traditional decorations is the jack-o-lantern. This is made from a pumpkin, which has a scary face cut into it and a lit candle inside.