Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

It’s that time of year again when the air finally cools down in Arizona, the fall spirit sets in, and kids are ready to dress up for trick-or-treating.

Children love picking out their cute or spooky costumes, while parents enjoy hanging out with friends, watching scary movies, and handing out candy to the neighborhood kids.

But as Christians, we should pause and ask—is this a holiday we should be celebrating?

Is it okay to dress up and watch scary movies? Or should we spend October 31st in our prayer closets, interceding through the night?

I’d say the truth probably lies somewhere in between.

The History of Halloween

So what exactly is Halloween?

Its roots go back over 2,000 years to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. At the end of their year—October 31st—the Celts believed the boundary between the living and the dead became blurred. To ward off evil spirits, they lit bonfires and wore costumes.

Later, some Christian traditions blended with these customs. The name Halloween actually comes from All Hallows’ Eve—the night before All Saints’ Day, when Western Christians honored saints and martyrs. People lit candles and carved lanterns to guide spirits home or to remember the faithful departed.

Halloween Today

In modern times, Halloween has become largely secular and often glorifies darkness.

Horror movies throughout October feature demonic possession, witchcraft, and murder.

Many people—especially women—dress in seductive or sinister costumes, playing with things like Ouija boards, dismissing it all as “harmless fun.”

But as believers, we must recognize that there’s nothing harmless about entertaining evil.

Scripture warns us to “abstain from every form of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22, ESV).

That means we shouldn’t flirt with things that mock or distort what is holy.

Children especially should not be exposed to themes of witchcraft, demons, and possession under the guise of entertainment.

Does It Honor Jesus?

When deciding whether to participate, ask yourself:

• Who does Halloween glorify?

• Does it reflect the goodness of Jesus?

• Does it draw others closer to Him or to fear, lust, and darkness?

Personally, I know Halloween doesn’t glorify God. The spirit of the holiday stirs fear and anxiety, not faith and peace.

As Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters.” Anything that isn’t for God ultimately stands against Him.

A holiday that celebrates death and demonic imagery shouldn’t be embraced by Christians the same way the world does. Instead, we should fill our homes and minds with what is good, pure, and honorable (Philippians 4:8).

A Balanced Approach

I don’t believe it’s sinful to dress up in fun, innocent costumes or to hand out candy as a way to love your neighbors. But we must be wise.

We shouldn’t open our homes—or our hearts—to entertainment that glorifies evil. Watching horror movies, celebrating witchcraft, or playing with spiritual darkness has no place in the life of a believer.

So this Halloween, be discerning. Choose light over darkness.

May you not be tricked by the world’s deceptions but treated by God’s wonderful presence and grace.

Romans 12:21 (ESV)

“Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”