History of Trick-or-Treating

Learn how an ancient pagan festival, the medieval practice of “souling,” and Donald Duck gave rise to a popular Halloween tradition.

Written by

Amy Tikkanen

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

History

Every October 31 millions of children and teenagers put on costumes and go door-to-door, shouting a familiar demand: “Trick or treat!” This has become one of Halloween’s most popular traditions. But have you ever wondered how trick-or-treating started? We take a look at its long—and often spooky—history.

“Guising”: Why ghost and witch costumes are so popular

Halloween’s origins date back more than 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, a harvest celebration that coincided with the beginning of the new year. People believed that on this night the spirits of the dead roamed the earth—both the souls of departed loved ones and more sinister beings. Fearing these spirits, people wore masks, old clothes, or disguises in order to blend in with the supernatural visitors. This practice, known as “guising,” still echoes today in the ghost and witch costumes that remain Halloween favorites, though their original purpose is long forgotten.

From saints to “souling”

In the 8th century ce the Roman Catholic Church moved All Saints’ Day to November 1, likely in an effort to replace the pagan holiday of Samhain with a Christian observance. The evening before All Saints’ Day became a holy, or hallowed, eve, from which the word Halloween evolved. By the end of the Middle Ages the secular and sacred days had merged. During that period guising evolved into “souling,” the first precursor of trick-or-treating. Poor people, especially children, would go door-to-door on the night of October 31 and offer to pray for the souls of people’s loved ones in exchange for money or food. Within a few hundred years costumed visitors started offering to perform a little trick—perhaps a song or dance—in exchange for money or food.

The rise of Halloween in the U.S.

The phrase trick or treat was first recorded in 1927, and during that decade the pastime caught on in the United States. Early Halloween celebrations leaned heavily toward tricks. During the Great Depression these pranks sometimes turned dangerous—cars were overturned and telephone poles were cut down. Hoping to discourage vandalism, various groups began promoting trick-or-treating.

Following World War II the end of sugar rationing helped cement the tradition’s sweet side. In the early 1950s trick-or-treating gained popularity—thanks in part to two cartoon characters. In 1951 a Peanuts comic strip featured Charlie Brown using the phrase “tricks or treats.” The following year Disney released Trick or Treat (1952), a short film starring Donald Duck. Candymakers also joined in, hoping to increase sales of their sugary confections. Store-bought candy soon replaced homemade offerings, noted for being easy to give, easy to collect, and—perhaps most importantly—safe to accept from strangers. Today Halloween—with its enduring custom of trick-or-treating—is one of the most popular holidays in the United States, far removed from its ancient and often dangerous origins.

Discover more