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Encyclopedia.com
 Oct. 31, the eve of All Saints' Day ,
observed with traditional games and customs. The word comes from
medieval England's All Hallows' eve (Old Eng. hallow = “saint” ).
However, many of these customs predate Christianity, going back to
Celtic practices associated with Nov. 1—the beginning of winter and the
Celtic new year. Witches and other evil spirits were believed to roam
the earth on this evening, playing tricks on human beings to mark the
season of diminishing sunlight. Bonfires were lit, offerings were made
of dainty foods and sweets, and people would disguise themselves as one
of the roaming spirits, to avoid demonic persecution. Survivals of
these early practices can be found in countries of Celtic influence
today, such as the United States where children go from door to door in
costumes demanding “trick or treat.”
...also related...
All Saints' Day - Feast of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches,
and day on which churches glorify God for all God's saints, known and
unknown. It is celebrated on Nov. 1 in the West, since Pope Gregory IV
ordered its church-wide observance in 837. Its origin lies earlier in
the common commemorations of martyrs who died in groups or whose names
were unknown, which were held on various days in different parts of the
Church; over time these celebrations came to include not only the
martyrs but all saints. During the Reformation the Protestant churches
understood “saints” in its New Testament usage as including all
believers and reinterpreted the feast of All Saints as a celebration of
the unity of the entire Church. In medieval England the festival was
known as All Hallows, hence the name Halloween [= All Hallows' eve ]
for the preceding evening.
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