Czechia celebrates Halloween, Samhain and All Souls’ Day

Halloween in Czechia, All Saints’ Day in Czechia or even Samhain in Czechia—the young country celebrates according to tradition, time-honoured values, enduring customs or modern Western influences. For members of the Catholic Church, it is All Saints’ Day; for people with pagan beliefs, especially among the younger Czech generation, it is Samhain. All these festivals have something in common: they honour the dead, celebrate the souls of the departed and the spirit world, while also heralding the first signs of the approaching winter.

All Souls’ Day, All Saints’ Day—remembering the dead in Czechia
On 1 November, Czechia celebrates All Souls’ Day, which is closely linked to All Saints’ Day as celebrated in Germany. According to CzechTourism, the day has been officially observed since 835. It was intended as a symbolic tribute to all those who had been canonised but had no place left in the Church calendar. As in Germany, people remember their deceased family members and other relatives and close acquaintances on this day. They typically bring flowers to the graves of ancestors and loved ones, attend church services and spend some quiet time in contemplation.

Samhain in Czechia—the modern pagan revival celebrates ancient Celtic values
Commemorating the dead is older than the Church suggests or historians’ written records indicate. In Celtic belief, Samhain is celebrated, depending on the tradition, on the night before 1 November or at the eleventh full moon. According to traditional accounts and modern pagan beliefs, the gateway to the Otherworld opens on this day. The night is used to make contact with the dead, spirits or beings from the Otherworld, and to ask for advice, goodwill, and the fulfilment of dreams and wishes. Many candles are lit or great fires kindled on hilltops and mountains, and ancient rituals are performed—practices often mistakenly associated with witchcraft. In Celtic tradition, Samhain marks the beginning of the new year. Celebrations are therefore also held with joyful abandon, with people wearing masks and costumes. Burning old effigies is meant to symbolically free one from grief and sorrow.

Halloween is becoming increasingly popular in Czechia
The phrase “All Hallow Even”—the eve of All Saints’ Day—quickly reveals parallels with Samhain and All Saints’ Day. Halloween is essentially a distinct festival that originated in English-speaking countries. It is more reminiscent of a witches’ sabbath, when good and evil spirits are summoned to a celebration. “Trick or treat” is one of the most popular phrases heard while going from door to door in search of treats on Halloween night.

Every family in Czechia is free to choose which festival to celebrate. They can observe All Saints’ Day and attend church, celebrate Samhain outdoors in nature, or dress up as evil spirits, witches, cats and owls for Halloween, including carving pumpkins.