<P> Halloween costumes are costumes worn on or around Halloween , a festival which falls on October 31 . An early reference to wearing costumes at Halloween comes from Scotland in 1585 , but they may pre-date this . There are many references to the custom during the 18th and 19th centuries in the Celtic countries of Scotland , Ireland , Mann and Wales . It has been suggested that the custom comes from the Celtic festivals of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf , or from the practise of `` souling '' during the Christian observance of Allhallowtide . Wearing costumes and mumming has long been associated with festivals at other times of the year , such as on Christmas . Halloween costumes are traditionally based on frightening supernatural or folkloric beings . However , by the 1930s costumes based on characters in mass media such as film , literature , and radio were popular . Halloween costumes have tended to be worn mainly by young people , but since the mid-20th century they have been increasingly worn by adults also . </P>
<P> Halloween costumes are costumes worn on or around Halloween , a festival which falls on October 31 . An early reference to wearing costumes at Halloween comes from Scotland in 1585 , but they may pre-date this . There are many references to the custom during the 18th and 19th centuries in the Celtic countries of Scotland , Ireland , Mann and Wales . It has been suggested that the custom comes from the Celtic festivals of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf , or from the practise of `` souling '' during the Christian observance of Allhallowtide . Wearing costumes and mumming has long been associated with festivals at other times of the year , such as on Christmas . Halloween costumes are traditionally based on frightening supernatural or folkloric beings . However , by the 1930s costumes based on characters in mass media such as film , literature , and radio were popular . Halloween costumes have tended to be worn mainly by young people , but since the mid-20th century they have been increasingly worn by adults also . </P>
where did dressing up for halloween come from
where did dressing up for halloween come from
Celtic festivals of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf
Celtic festivals of Samhain and Calan Gaeaf