31/10/2026
🎃 Halloween - What is it and why is it celebrated?
Halloween is celebrated in the UK on 31 October. The word “Halloween” comes from All Hallows’ Eve, the evening before the Christian festival of All Saints’ Day. Some Halloween customs are also connected to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the transition from summer into winter.
Today, Halloween is largely a cultural and seasonal celebration. People may decorate pumpkins, wear costumes, tell stories, attend parties, play games and share treats. Although some traditions refer to ghosts and supernatural stories 👻, modern celebrations are usually focused on creativity, community and having fun.
🧡 Celebrating Halloween in adult social care
Adult social care teams across Doncaster use Halloween as an opportunity to bring colleagues and the people they support together through enjoyable seasonal activities. This include:
Painting or decorating pumpkins, rather than carving, where a safer or more accessible activity is needed
Making autumn or Halloween-themed crafts and decorations
Holding a gentle Halloween quiz, bingo game or word search
Playing seasonal music or arranging a themed film afternoon
Decorating biscuits or preparing pumpkin soup together
Organising a friendly fancy-dress day, with no expectation for everyone to participate
Inviting families, colleagues or community groups to join an activity
Using autumn objects, colours, music and familiar foods for sensory or reminiscence activities
Pumpkin painting, crafts, quizzes, cooking and simple adaptable games are among the activities recommended for care settings because they can encourage creativity, conversation, social connection and participation.
All activities are person-centred, accessible and optional. Teams consider individual beliefs, preferences, communication requirements, mobility, sensory sensitivities and dietary needs. Decorations and activities should feel friendly rather than frightening, particularly when supporting people who may experience anxiety, confusion or distress.