A chance to dress up, play tricks and eat sweets - what’s not to love about Halloween? Here are some fun facts about Halloween, the creepiest night of the year. Check out our Halloween hub for more FANGtastic frights! Or if you fancy yourself as a spine-tingling smarty pants, take a look at our Halloween quiz. If you're a sucker for vampires check out these blood-curdling vampire facts!

1. Halloween is over 6000 years old!

 While we don’t know the exact date, it is thought that Halloween started around the year 4000 BC!

2. Some people are scared of Halloween! It’s called Samhainophobia.

 Samhainophobia is when you have a fear of Halloween. Halloween originated in Ireland, the name comes from 'Samhain' - a pagan Gaelic festival from the middle ages marking the end of harvest season. In early Irish mythology the belief was that the souls of the dead return home on one night of the year and must be appeased. Brrr!

3. The biggest pumpkin EVER weighed 1,872 pounds!

 That's a whopping 133 stone! This fantastic world record was set by pumpkin grower Norm Craven in 1993.

4. The word ‘witch’ was originally ‘wicce’ which means ‘wise woman.'

 So it’s actually sort of a compliment!

5. When Jack-o-lanterns were first invented people used turnips, beets and even potatoes!

 Pumpkins started to be used later on. Those must have been some small lanterns... and try as we might, it's hard to imagine a scary potato.

6. Famous magician Harry Houdini died on Halloween

 He was a pretty mysterious fellow, and this timing of his death just confirmed it. 

7. In 2020 Halloween had a full moon for the first time in 19 years!

 The next Halloween full moon won’t happen until 2039. 

8. The word ‘Halloween’ originates from ‘All Hallows Eve’

 We think Halloween is a bit catchier. 

9. Jack O'Lanterns are named after a fellow called Stingy Jack!

Stingy Jack was a man who, according to Irish mythology - tricked the devil... as a result, he was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths!

10. Halloween in Hong Kong is known as 'Yue Lan'

Which translates to “Festival of the Hungry Ghosts” - during which fires are lit and food and gifts are offered up to all those angry spirits!

11. Want to see a Witch?

An old Halloween tradition says that if you put on all your clothes inside out and walk backwards on Halloween, you'll see a Witch at midnight. And she'll probably think you look like a right wally with all your clothes inside out!

12. The White House is Haunted!

Legend has it that the White House is haunted by the ghosts of past US Presidents! Abraham Lincoln is said to be the most common sighting, but other Presidents have been spotted, and even Roosevelt's dog!