Get ready to test your Halloween knowledge with this spine-tingling trivia set! Whether you’re planning a ghoulish gathering or just want to brush up on your Halloween facts, these 50 questions will challenge and entertain you. From ancient traditions to modern pop culture, we’ve conjured up a mix of multiple-choice and open-ended questions to keep you on your toes. Let’s see how many you can answer correctly!
- What does the word “Halloween” mean? Answer: All Hallows’ Eve (the evening before All Saints’ Day)
- Which of these is NOT a traditional Halloween color?
- a) Orange
- b) Black
- c) Purple
- d) Green
- Answer: d) Green
- In what country did Halloween originate? Answer: Ireland
- What was the original name of candy corn? Answer: Chicken Feed
- Which famous magician died on Halloween in 1926? Answer: Harry Houdini
- What phobia is the fear of Halloween?
- a) Samhainophobia
- b) Halloweenophobia
- c) Phasmophobia
- d) Xenophobia
- Answer: a) Samhainophobia
- What is the most popular Halloween candy in the United States? Answer: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- In “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” what does Linus mistake for the Great Pumpkin? Answer: Snoopy
- Which Shakespeare play features three witches? Answer: Macbeth
- What year was the first Halloween celebrated? Answer: The exact year is unknown, but it dates back about 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain
- What does a teal pumpkin signify on Halloween? Answer: Non-food treats are available for children with food allergies
- Which of these is NOT a type of traditional Halloween divination?
- a) Apple bobbing
- b) Mirror gazing
- c) Nutshell floating
- d) Tarot reading
- Answer: d) Tarot reading
- What is the name of the headless horseman in “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”? Answer: The Hessian
- In which U.S. state is it illegal to dress up as a priest or nun on Halloween? Answer: Alabama
- What does the Irish legend say you should do if you encounter a leprechaun on Halloween? Answer: Stare at him with your left eye while wearing your clothes inside out
- Which planet is sometimes called the “Halloween Planet” due to its orange color? Answer: Mars
- What was the first individually wrapped penny candy in America? Answer: Tootsie Rolls
- In the movie “Hocus Pocus,” what type of creature is Thackery Binx?
- a) Dog
- b) Cat
- c) Rat
- d) Owl
- Answer: b) Cat
- What does the Japanese word “Obake” mean in relation to Halloween? Answer: Ghost or shapeshifter
- Which famous horror novel was inspired by a nightmare its author had? Answer: “Frankenstein” by Mary Shelley
- What is the traditional Scottish name for Halloween? Answer: Samhain
- In Mexican culture, what is the name of the holiday that coincides with Halloween? Answer: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
- Which horror movie franchise features a killer named Michael Myers? Answer: Halloween
- What vegetable was originally used to make jack-o’-lanterns before pumpkins? Answer: Turnips
- What is the name of the witch’s cat in the movie “Hocus Pocus”? Answer: Binx
- Which of these is NOT a real Halloween game?
- a) Snap-apple
- b) Bobbing for apples
- c) Pumpkin rolling
- d) Ghost whispering
- Answer: d) Ghost whispering
- What is the most common birthdate for people who claim to be real vampires? Answer: Halloween (October 31st)
- In what year was the first Halloween card produced? Answer: 1898
- What is the name of the pagan festival that heavily influenced Halloween? Answer: Samhain
- Which country celebrates “Pangangaluluwa” on Halloween? Answer: Philippines
- What does the word “bonfire” originally mean? Answer: Bone fire (fires where bones were burned)
- In the “Harry Potter” series, what is the name of the ghost who haunts the girls’ bathroom? Answer: Moaning Myrtle
- Which famous magician performed his last show on Halloween night? Answer: Harry Houdini
- What is the fear of witches called?
- a) Wiccaphobia
- b) Hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia
- c) Samhainophobia
- d) Mageirocophobia
- Answer: a) Wiccaphobia
- What is the name of the Celtic god of the dead who was believed to be summoned on Samhain? Answer: Anwinn
- In which year did the custom of trick-or-treating begin in the United States? Answer: The 1930s
- What is the traditional Halloween bread in Ireland called? Answer: Barmbrack
- Which famous escape artist died on Halloween? Answer: Harry Houdini
- What does the old English word “Hallow” mean? Answer: Saint
- In “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” what is the name of Jack Skellington’s ghost dog? Answer: Zero
- Which country celebrates “Día de las Brujas” on Halloween? Answer: Spain
- What is the name of the famous haunted house in Disney theme parks? Answer: The Haunted Mansion
- In folklore, how can you supposedly kill a vampire?
- a) Sunlight
- b) Garlic
- c) Wooden stake through the heart
- d) All of the above
- Answer: d) All of the above
- What is the term for a group of witches? Answer: A coven
- Which famous author wrote the short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”? Answer: Washington Irving
- What is the traditional Halloween activity of foretelling the future called? Answer: Divination
- In which country is it tradition to put bread, water, and a lighted lamp on the table before going to bed on Halloween night? Answer: Austria
- What does the old superstition say will happen if you see a spider on Halloween? Answer: The spirit of a loved one is watching over you
- Which planet will be in opposition (closest and brightest) on Halloween 2023? Answer: Jupiter
- What is the estimated amount spent on Halloween in the United States annually?
- a) $1 billion
- b) $5 billion
- c) $10 billion
- d) $20 billion
- Answer: c) $10 billion
Congratulations on making it through our haunting Halloween trivia! Whether you aced it or learned some spooky new facts, we hope you had a frighteningly good time. Why not use these questions to challenge your friends at your next Halloween party? It’s sure to be a scream! Happy haunting!
