HowStuffWorks - Halloween Channel

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Featured Article: How Halloween Works

Tricks and Treats!
How Halloween Works

Halloween is one of the most eclectic celebrations around. It's considered a Christian holiday, but its roots are rather pagan. The sources of some popular Halloween traditions may surprise you. Find out where Halloween and its spooky, kooky rituals really come from.

Related Links:
> Trick or Treating
> Bobbing for Apples
> Why Do People Love Halloween?

Featured Video: How Blowing up a Pumpkin Works

Featured Video:
Carve a Pumpkin the HowStuffWorks Way

Watch the sparks fly as HowStuffWorks carves a special Halloween pumpkin in this video with Marshall Brain... Watch

Related Videos:

How To Carve a Pumpkin: Cutting a face
One of the most popular Halloween decorations is carving a pumpkin to create a jack-o-lantern ... watch

How To Carve a Pumpkin: Connecting Dots
Carving shapes and designs into a pumpkin creates a jack-o-lantern, a popular decoration for Halloween ... watch

Featured Article: Halloween Parties!

How to Throw a Halloween Party

Start planning now to throw a "killer" Halloween party. We'll give you Halloween theme ideas, Halloween recipes, great games, and crafts to make your party a success. Learn More

Related Links:
> Halloween Crafts
> Halloween Games
> Halloween Masks
> Halloween Stories
> Scary Stories
> How Light Sticks Work
> How Black Lights Work

More Fun Stuff: Our Favorite Halloween Treats

Halloween Recipes
What is candy corn and how is it made?
How Chocolate Works
Black Cat Cookies

Magic Potion
Popcorn Ghosts
Spider Cupcakes
All Halloween Recipes

More Fun Stuff: Our Favorite Halloween Articles

How Fear Works
Halloween is the holiday when we revel in all things scary. Find out how the brain and body respond to fear, even when there's no real danger. Read More

How Ghosts Work
Apparitions, strange lights, unexplained noises or sudden drops in temperature -- are these signs of real ghosts? Find out. Read More

How Vampires Work
Vampires have popped up in dozens of cultures for centuries. Explore the history of vampire legends and scientific explanations for real-life vampires. Read More

How Witchcraft Works
Witchcraft and belief in magic have been around since the beginning of time. Learn the history of witchcraft, modern witchcraft and Wiccan rituals. Read More

How Bats Work
Bats are the only mammals that can fly, and they live much of their lives hanging upside down. Learn about bat wings, bat caves and bat myths. Read More

How Mummies Work
Mummies are perhaps the most famous aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. Learn about how mummies are preserved. Read More

How Zombies Work
Zombies aren't dead, but they should be. Learn about Haitian zombies, how science explains zombies and how to defend against zombie attacks. Read More

Halloween Costumes 101
They're at every sci-fi convention and Halloween party -- the most amazing, original costumes. Read More

How Chupacabras Work
The Chupacabra is a vampire-like creature that has been gaining notoriety. Learn about the legend of El Chupacabra and Chupacabra incidents and sightings. Read More

How Bigfoot Works
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch or the yeti, is a persistent phenomenon. Learn about possible scientific explanations and Bigfoot hoaxes. Read More

How often does Halloween candy tampering really happen?
The stories of evil strangers tainting Halloween candy and apples with poison, glass and razor blades have prevailed for several decades. But are they true? Read More