ProCon’s Halloween Quiz
- Question: Which of the following is a common argument against permanently moving Halloween to a Saturday?
- Answer: All of these are common arguments against permanently moving Halloween to a Saturday.
- Question: Which of the following is a common argument in favor of permanently moving Halloween to a Saturday?
- Answer: All of these are common arguments in favor of permanently moving Halloween to a Saturday.
- Question: Halloween has roots in what other holiday?
- Answer: Halloween likely developed from the pagan, pre-Christian, Celtic holiday Samhain, which was celebrated in early medieval Ireland about November 1 as the beginning of a new year.
- Question: Which of the following is included in the Christian period of Allhallotide?
- Answer: These are the three days that make up the holy period of Allhallotide: All Hallows’ Eve (another name for Halloween, October 31), All Saints’ Day (November 1), and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
- Question: Who does “Jack” refer to in “jack-o’-lanterns”?
- Answer: “Jack” in jack-o’-lanterns refers to Stingy Jack of Irish mythology; according to legend, his spirit roamed the earth and was warded off by the carving of scary “jack-o’-lanterns” during Halloween.
- Question: Of the $13.1 billion spent on Halloween in the United States in 2025, how is the majority of the money spent (ranked in order of spending from the highest to the lowest amount)?
- Answer: Of the $13.1 billion spent nationwide on Halloween, $4.3 billion is spent on costumes, $4.2 billion on decorations, $3.9 billion on candy, and $0.7 billion on greeting cards.
- Question: Jack-o’-lanterns were initially carved out of which of the following?
- Answer: Originating in the British Isles, jack-o’-lanterns were initially carved out of turnips; when Irish immigrants moved to the United States, they began carving jack-o’-lanterns out of pumpkins, which are native to North America.
- Question: Halloween marks the beginning of which Christian holy period?
- Answer: Halloween marks the beginning of Allhallotide, a three-day Christian triduum (a three-day holy period) dedicated to remembering the dead.
