The fear of Halloween is called Samhainophobia.

Knock, knock! Trick-or-treat? Halloween is here, bringing a whirl of costumes, candies and carved pumpkins to porches across Canada. What began over 1,000 years ago as Samhain, a Gaelic harvest festival where people disguised themselves to scare off spirits, has become a night of playful scares. Tonight, streets come alive with people in costumes of every kind, from eerie classics to hilarious pop culture twists.

Ever wondered where trick-or-treat even came from? The practice grew from medieval mumming, in which people performed while in disguise in exchange for food or coins. In North America, the earliest known guising was witnessed in British Columbia in 1898, and the phrase 'trick or treat!' first appeared in Ontario in 1917. The 'treat' means sweets, but the 'trick' hints at harmless mischief if the bowls run empty.

The classic jack-o'-lantern, you ask? Well, it has its roots in Irish folklore, said to symbolise a soul trapped between worlds. Their carved faces have become a symbol of the season, marking the shift from autumn days to chilly nights. So, whether you're joining a costume contest, watching classic films or enjoying a slice of pumpkin pie, Halloween reminds us that make-believe never gets old.