Finding the balance between fun & faith

Should Christians Celebrate Halloween?

Every year, when October rolls around, the same question pops up among Christian families: Should we celebrate Halloween?

For many of us, Halloween is just good old-fashioned fun. Kids in adorable costumes, meeting neighbors, collecting candy, and enjoying a night of laughter and imagination. There’s nothing inherently sinful about dressing up like a superhero or a princess and sharing some chocolate. I’ve always allowed my kids to celebrate Halloween, because the community aspect—the joy, the laughter, the connection—is something worth holding onto.

But there’s another side to Halloween that we can’t ignore.

The Dual Nature of Halloween

Halloween has two very different faces. One is innocent and family-friendly: pumpkins, costumes, and neighborhood fun. The other leans toward the dark and disturbing—images of death, demons, witches, and all things haunted.

As a Christian, I’m perfectly fine with harvest décor. Give me pumpkins, fallen leaves, apple cider, and cozy porch lights any day. But the frightening, demonic side of Halloween? That’s where I draw the line.

When I see businesses and homes decorated with skeletons, ghosts, and pentagrams, I feel an undeniable unease. Not because I’m superstitious, but because Scripture makes it clear: evil is real. And it’s not something to play with.

What the Bible Says About the Spirit World

Are demons real? Absolutely.
Are witches a thing? Yes. Scripture says so.
Can people summon spirits or communicate with the dead? The Bible warns that they can.

Deuteronomy 18:10-12
“Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who consults the dead. Anyone who does these things is detestable to the Lord.”

Just because something is real doesn’t mean it’s right. Ouija boards, tarot cards, astrology, and spirit-summoning rituals all fall under the same biblical warning. These practices open spiritual doors that were never meant to be opened, and as believers, we’re told to guard our hearts and our homes against such things.

So where does that leave us? For me, it’s simple: I can enjoy the parts of Halloween that are wholesome and community-oriented without celebrating darkness.

Instead of fear, I choose light.
Instead of death, I choose life.
Instead of horror, I choose joy.

You can host a family movie night, attend a fall festival, hand out candy with a smile, or even put out a verse-inspired sign reminding others that God’s love is bigger than any shadow. We can be present in the world without conforming to it.

Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

Halloween doesn’t have to divide Christians. Like many things, it’s about the heart behind it. I’m not afraid of Halloween, but I also don’t welcome what’s demonic, dark, or spiritually dangerous into my home.

If you want to carve pumpkins, go for it. If you want to hand out candy and meet your neighbors, do it joyfully. Just don’t lose sight of the spiritual reality that darkness exists, and not everything that glitters orange and black is harmless fun.

As for me, I’ll be over here with my harvest wreath, a big bowl of candy, and a heart anchored in Christ.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
—John 1:5