Halloween in Hungary: Celebrating Traditions Old and New

Halloween

Halloween - you’ve probably heard of it. But what’s it really about? Celebrated on October 31st, Halloween traces its roots to ancient Celtic festivals, especially Samhain, marking the end of the harvest and the start of winter. According to old beliefs, this night is when the veil between the living and the dead is thinnest, allowing spirits, especially those lost or cursed, to wander the earth in search of their former homes. The Celts, aware of this eerie possibility, would gather after the harvest to celebrate and protect themselves. Dressed as ghosts and spirits, they paraded through the streets, hoping to confuse and scare off the evil spirits for good.

In Hungary, the tradition of lighting carved pumpkins, or töklámpások, isn’t entirely new. Although Halloween itself has only recently begun gaining popularity, carved pumpkins have been a part of Hungarian folklore for centuries. In some areas, Luca-tök (Luca-pumpkin) was a popular decoration prepared for Luca Day on December 13th, and much like Halloween lanterns, it was used to light the way or playfully scare others. But even earlier, in the early 20th century, rural Hungary saw the rise of tökvigyorgók (pumpkin “grinners”) carved by young people. Following the harvest, it was common for youths to carve these lanterns and use them to spook each other with eerie, candle-lit faces - a popular tradition in Hungary’s countryside. In folk tradition, this day was also the first day of rest after the hard agricultural work, a day of rejoicing, when people could finally celebrate and enjoy a bit of playful mischief.

These carved lanterns served a dual purpose: they were believed to keep evil spirits away while also lighting the path for the spirits of the dead, helping them find their way home.

Across the ocean, a similar legend took hold in America: the Jack-o'-lantern. According to the story, there lived a drunken Irishman named Stingy Jack who loved to play pranks. One day, he managed to trick the Devil himself and ended up making a deal. Jack got the Devil to promise that after his death, his soul would not be condemned to hell. When Jack eventually passed away, he found that while he didn’t go to hell, his unruly lifestyle barred him from entering heaven as well. Stuck between two worlds, Jack's soul wanders the dark streets, seeking a place of rest. Out of pity, the Devil gave Jack a piece of coal to light his way in the darkness. Jack placed the coal into a hollowed-out turnip, and to this day, he roams with his lantern, searching for a home.

Irish immigrants to America brought this story with them, eventually substituting pumpkins for the originally used turnips, specifically white turnips, as pumpkins were more abundant in the New World. Thus, the Jack-o'-lantern became a Halloween symbol, believed to keep dark spirits at bay.

However, in Hungarian culture, it’s not Halloween but All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd) that are traditionally observed. On these days, people honor deceased loved ones by visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and placing flowers on graves. These holidays hold deep meaning for many Hungarians, especially the older generation, some of whom view Halloween as a foreign custom that could overshadow these days of remembrance. Yet Halloween, celebrated on October 31st, doesn’t have to interfere with these traditions, allowing those interested to enjoy both without conflict.

For those eager to dive into Halloween, you’ll find some housing estates offering trick-or-treating where kids dress up and go door-to-door. It’s not only fun for children but also a great way for neighbors to connect and bring a bit of community spirit to life.

Many houses and yards are decorated too, making the experience even more immersive and festive!

And for the partygoers, Halloween in Hungary has become a night of costumes, gatherings, and spooky fun. Many events encourage or even require dressing up, making it the perfect opportunity to unleash your creativity and get into the Halloween spirit!

Whether you’re lighting a candle on All Saints’ Day, carving pumpkins, or joining a costume party, each celebration has its place in the calendar – and each can add a unique touch to the autumn season.

Let’s enjoy Halloween together!

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Images sources: © Kattravel, Pexels

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