Hallowe'en originates from the Catholic festival "All Saints' Day" on 1 November. The mass held on this day was called Allhallowmas, and the night before was known as Allhallows Eve, eventually becoming Hallowe'en.
However, in the Celtic calendar, the end of the year fell on 31 October. The Celts believed the souls of the dead returned that night to possess living bodies and gain access to the afterlife. The living Celts naturally weren't too keen on the prospect of being possessed, so dressed up in frightful costumes and raucously marched around the village to scare the spirits away.
The classic Hallowe'en jack-o'-lantern is said to originate from Irish folklore. The story goes that a man called Jack, known as a drunkard and trickster, conned the Devil into climbing a tree. He then carved a cross into the tree trunk, trapping the devil, and made a deal that he would free him only if he would never tempt him again.
When Jack died, however, he was denied entrance into heaven because of his evil ways but was also refused admission to hell because of the trick he had played on the Devil. But the Devil pitied Jack and gave him a single ember to light his way through the eternal darkness into which he was condemned. Jack placed the ember inside a carved-out turnip to prevent it from going out, so starting the custom in Ireland. When immigrants came to America in the 1800s they shifted to pumpkins and the jack-o'-lantern was born.
If you want to celebrate Hallowe'en but don't feel like scaring your neighbours, here are a few events to trick-or-treat yourself.
The Kenilworth hotel in Warwickshire is hosting Hallowe'en Yelloween, a Champagne cocktail party, tomorrow (28 October). Call 01926 779 473 to book.
Café Westminster in London is holding a Hallowe'en junior masterclass on Saturday 29 October, offering kids aged eight to 12 the chance to learn about food and prepare a special Hallowe'en menu. Call 020 7932 4701 to find out more.
Carved pumpkins, spooky cookies and scary sweets are available at Villandry. And until 31 October you can also watch their "demon pumpkin cutter" in action. Villandry, 170 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5QB. Tel: 020 7631 3131.