Why are we still forcing Halloween onto school nights when there’s a perfectly good Saturday waiting to be haunted?
This year, Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, giving kids, parents, and candy-loving adults a rare treat: a spooky celebration without the usual weekday chaos.
But why not make it permanent?
Halloween’s October 31 date has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter. The Celts believed spirits could cross into the world of the living during this time, inspiring traditions involving bonfires and disguises.
Halloween also has Christian roots. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III established November 1 as All Saints’ Day, honoring Christian saints. The evening before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, eventually shortened to Halloween. Over the centuries, these traditions evolved into today’s costumes, candy, and trick-or-treating.
That’s all very interesting, but the ancient Celts and Christians didn’t have school buses, soccer practice or parents rushing home from work to transform their children into miniature superheroes.
Moving Halloween celebrations to the last Saturday in October would make life easier for practically everyone.
Parents wouldn’t have to race home from work. Kids could enjoy trick-or-treating without worrying about homework or getting up early for school. Communities could organize safer, more elaborate events, and adults could enjoy Halloween parties without dragging themselves into work the next morning.
And perhaps most importantly, teachers wouldn’t have to deal with a classroom full of sugar-fueled zombies the following morning.
If politicians can move Washington’s Birthday, Memorial Day, and Columbus Day around the calendar for convenience, surely we can do the same with Halloween. Congress already figured out decades ago that holidays work better when families have time to enjoy them. October 31 can keep its historical significance while the costumes, candy and neighborhood festivities move to the last Saturday of October. History survives, and nobody has to drag a sugar-fueled zombie out of bed for school the next morning.
Halloween is supposed to be scary. Scheduling it shouldn’t be.