🎃 Halloween in the USA: From History to How We Celebrate at Amlotus!
October in the United States means one thing, Halloween season! 🕸️ From pumpkins on doorsteps to creative costumes and spooky stories, Halloween is a beloved American tradition that brings together communities, schools, and families for a time of fun and imagination.
At Amlotus Career School, Halloween isn’t just about dressing up, it’s also a moment to explore American culture, learn new English vocabulary, and share laughter with classmates from all around the world. Let’s take a look at how Halloween began, how it’s celebrated today, and what makes it such a special part of the Amlotus experience.
🕯️ The Origins of Halloween
Halloween’s roots go back more than 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, celebrated in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and parts of England. According to History.com, Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, a time when people believed the boundary between the living and the dead grew thin.
When immigrants brought these traditions to the United States in the 19th century, Halloween evolved into a community-centered holiday focused on costumes, games, and treats. By the 20th century, Halloween had transformed into one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the U.S., combining ancient folklore with modern fun.
🍬 Modern Halloween Traditions in America
Today, Halloween is celebrated with:
- Costume parties 🧙♀️ – People of all ages dress up as everything from superheroes to ghosts.
- Trick-or-treating 🍭 – Children go door to door collecting candy while showing off their creative costumes.
- Pumpkin carving 🎃 – Families carve funny or spooky faces into pumpkins, often lighting them with candles.
- Haunted houses & events 👻 – Cities and schools host spooky attractions where people can experience Halloween thrills safely.
According to a TED-Ed lesson on the History of Halloween, these traditions remind us how cultures evolve and merge — showing how ancient beliefs can transform into fun, shared experiences across generations.
👻 Halloween at Amlotus
At Amlotus, Halloween is one of our favorite times of the year!
Our classrooms and campuses come alive with decorations, laughter, and creativity as students and staff join in on our Halloween Costume Contest and themed activities. 🧡
Every costume tells a story, whether it’s a traditional ghost or a character from another culture. These events are more than just fun; they’re an opportunity for students to practice English naturally while interacting, joking, and sharing experiences with one another.
Past celebrations have featured:
- 🧛♂️ Creative costume parades through our campuses
- 🕸️ Classroom decorations designed by students
- 🍫 Halloween treats and small prizes for the best costumes
And this year, the fun continues! Our team and students are already getting ready to make this Halloween bigger and better than ever.
🧠 What Students Learn from Halloween
While Halloween might seem like just a party, it’s also a window into American culture.
By participating in holidays like Halloween, international students gain valuable cultural competence, an essential part of learning English.
As TED speaker Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie explains in her talk “The Danger of a Single Story,” experiencing new traditions helps us understand people beyond stereotypes.
At Amlotus, we see that every celebration, Halloween included, becomes a chance for our students to see America not from the outside, but as active participants in its culture.
🌟 A Celebration of Learning, Culture, and Community
Halloween at Amlotus is about more than pumpkins and candy, it’s about belonging.
Our students from all over the world come together to laugh, create, and share, proving that language learning can be both educational and joyful.
And this year, we’re taking the fun up a notch! 🎉
Join us for our Halloween Pizza & Costume Party on October 30th, a perfect chance to show off your creativity, enjoy delicious pizza with classmates, and celebrate together before the spooky day arrives! 🍕👻
Whether you’re dressing up, learning spooky vocabulary, or simply enjoying the atmosphere, this event reminds us how cultural exchange and creativity bring people closer, no matter where they come from.
So get your costume ready, invite your friends, and come celebrate one of America’s most exciting traditions, Amlotus style! 🎃✨
🔗 Stay Connected with Amlotus:
📸 Instagram: @amlotusny
🎥 TikTok: @amlotus
📍 Campuses in Manhattan • Flushing • Philadelphia
🌐 Apply now or learn more
You may also like
🌍 Cultural Exchange in the Classroom: What We Learn from Each Other
