I do not see a Biblical command to celebrate any holiday, other than a day of remembrance where we break bread. When I was a Lutheran we practiced All Hallow’s Eve much like the Catholics, but I don’t celebrate any holidays.
Thank you for bringing this conversation to light @LaySisterMarjana. I would like to add my thoughts. I know I have been accused in the past of being a “Bad Christian” for allowing my children to go Trick-or-Treating. Here is the way I see it. Because the Bible was written long before Halloween developed into its modern form, there is no single verse that explicitly commands Christians to either celebrate or avoid it. Instead, the Bible offers foundational principles that lead different sincere, Bible-believing Christians to different convictions on this topic.
One: conviction to avoid it entirely. Christians who choose not to participate often focus on Scriptures that instruct believers to avoid elements associated with darkness, paganism, or the occult:
Separation from pagan practices:
“When you come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not learn to follow the abominable practices of those nations. There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer.” Deuteronomy 18:9–10
Focusing on what is good:
“Abstain from every form of evil.” 1 Thessalonians 5:22
“Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
From this perspective, even if modern trick-or-treating seems harmless, the holiday’s underlying imagery (ghosts, ghouls, witches, horror) is viewed as incompatible with a Christian’s call to walk in the light.
The second most common view is freedom to redeem or participate purely. Other Christians view modern Halloween as a harmless cultural tradition centered on community, costumes, and fun for children, or as an opportunity to share hospitality and light. Christian liberty regarding special days and food:
“One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in their own mind.” Romans 14:5
The nature of the world:
“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” 1 Corinthians 10:26
Believers with this view often participate by keeping costumes lighthearted (superheroes, animals, professions) and focusing on connecting with neighbors. Many churches also host alternative events, such as “Trunk-or-Treat” or Harvest Festivals, to offer a safe, positive environment for local families.
My personal view? Conscience and charity. The clearest biblical guidance for questions of cultural participation comes from Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 10, where the Apostle Paul addresses issues not explicitly commanded or forbidden in Scripture (often called matters of adiaphora, or non-essentials). Follow your conscience:
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if they eat, because their eating is not from faith; and everything that does not come from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23
If participating feels wrong to you, doing so violates your personal conviction before God.
We are also called to show grace to others:
“The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.” Romans 14:3
Christians are instructed not to look down on or condemn fellow believers who arrive at a different conviction in good faith. I say it is simple. If you do not feel a conviction, and you are not having a séance to raise dead Grandma or the local witch legend, then go with it. Look at Halloween for what it is today: a harmless cultural tradition centered on community, costumes, and fun for children.
Be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS LORD!
Peter
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I won’t say how often we should celebrate the Holy Supper of Christ. But why reserve it for one day, when we can partake of the precious body of Christ and blood of Christ as often as possible?
The Scriptures command no days of observance. But the Holy Apostle Paul tells us that we are free, in our conscience, to observe any day.
The Church of Jesus Christ celebrates many days. For the freedom of the sons of God is that we should honor God in all things.
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I do not believe in supernatural demons, so the ‘occult’ framing isn’t going to be my primary concern. I see it as a Catholic holiday based on their calender of saints, but of course most people don’t think about the Patron Saint of Buttered Bread when they’re collecting Reeses. While we don’t celebrate any holidays it’s a secondary matter in my view.
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And GREAT! Now I want a Reese’s PB Cup. Gee thanks. 
Be blessed, be a blessing.
Peter
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I love Trunk or Treat. Oriental trading has really cute Christian decorating kits for this!
Here are some cute ideas too:
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Here are some fun printable Christian Halloween coloring pages for kids.
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Anton LaVey, who founded the Satanic church is quoted as saying,
“I want to thank all the Christian parents who allow their children to worship Satan once a year.” He was talking about Halloween which is a high day on the satanic time table. Putting a Christian label on it doesn’t make it Christian. We need to look at the origin of the practice we’re considering to determine if it’s something to involve ourselves in. Being unaware is no protection.
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Actually? Halloween wasn’t a pagan holiday hijacked by Christians; it was a Christian vigil that absorbed local harvest customs over centuries and eventually became a secular community event.
The word Halloween is a contraction of “All Hallows’ Eve” (the evening before “All Hallows’ Day” or All Saints’ Day). In the 8th century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints and martyrs. Oct. 31 became the vigil, All Hallows’ Eve. November 1 also coincided with Samhain (pronounced SOW-in), an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the start of winter. Celtic traditions held that the boundary between the living and the dead blurred during this transition.
Rather than being “taken over” by paganism, the early Church actively Christianized the season. Customs like “souling” emerged in medieval Britain, where poor families and children went door-to-door offering prayers for deceased loved ones in exchange for “soul cakes” (the direct ancestor of trick-or-treating). Dressing up in costumes was also used in medieval pageants to mock death and demonic powers, reflecting Christ’s victory over the grave.
Modern commercial Halloween is largely a 20th-century American invention focused on costumes, candy, and neighborhood community, far removed from ancient Celtic rituals or medieval Church practices.
The quote (“I want to thank all the Christian parents…”) is a widely circulated internet myth. There is no record. There is no primary source, interview, or text in Anton LaVey’s writings (including The Satanic Bible) where he said this. It began circulating on social media and chain emails in the late 2000s.
LaVeyan Satanism (founded in 1966) is an atheistic philosophy. LaVey did not believe in a literal Satan or the Christian Devil; he used “Satan” merely as a metaphor for self-indulgence and human pride. Even if a critic or adversary claims a day for themselves, Scripture reminds us in Psalm 24:1: “The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it.” A calendar day belongs to God, not to any human organization or ideology.
Is there something wrong with Halloween now? Whether modern Halloween is problematic depends entirely on how it is practiced and what resides in the heart. Where it crosses a line: If participation glorifies genuine evil, involves occult practices, or violates one’s personal conscience, then for that person, it is wrong (Romans 14:23). Where is it benign? Going door-to-door in a superhero or animal costume, eating candy, and meeting neighbors is an exercise in community, hospitality, and childhood fun. As 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.”
Be blessed, be a blessing,
Peter
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Whether a Christian should celebrate Halloween is a matter of personal conscience, as the Bible does not mention the holiday by name.
Believers view participation differently based on how they interpret its history and cultural practices..
Perspectives on Halloween
- Avoidance: Some Christians choose not to celebrate because of Halloween’s historical links to pagan rituals like Samhain and its modern association with darkness, fear, and the occult. They prefer to steer clear of anything that mimics or glorifies evil.
- Participation as Fun: Other Christians view modern trick-or-treating, costumes, and candy as harmless, secular community fun rather than religious worship. For them, dressing children up as friendly characters or firefighters does not involve the occult
- Redemption and Outreach: Some believers use the evening as an opportunity to meet neighbors, build community, and hand out treats alongside positive messages.
Alternatives: Many churches offer safe alternatives like “Trunk-or-Treat” events or fall festivals, or they observe Reformation Day on November
should a christian celebrate halloween
Whether a Christian should celebrate Halloween is a matter of personal conscience
, as the Bible does not mention the holiday by name. [1]
Believers view participation differently based on how they interpret its history and cultural practices: [1, 2]
Perspectives on Halloween
- Avoidance: Some Christians choose not to celebrate because of Halloween’s historical links to pagan rituals like Samhain and its modern association with darkness, fear, and the occult. They prefer to steer clear of anything that mimics or glorifies evil. [1, 2, 3, 4]
- Participation as Fun: Other Christians view modern trick-or-treating, costumes, and candy as harmless, secular community fun rather than religious worship. For them, dressing children up as friendly characters or firefighters does not involve the occult. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
- Redemption and Outreach: Some believers use the evening as an opportunity to meet neighbors, build community, and hand out treats alongside positive messages. [1, 2]
- Alternatives: Many churches offer safe alternatives like “Trunk-or-Treat” events or fall festivals, or they observe Reformation Day on November ..
Biblical Principles to Guide the Decision
- Follow Your Conscience: According to principles found in Romans 14 and 1 Corinthians 8, individuals must be fully convinced in their own mind. If a Christian feels uneasy or believes participating is wrong for them, they should not do it.
- Avoid Judging Others: Believers should not look down on or condemn other Christians who make a different choice regarding the holiday.
Reflect Christ: Whatever choice is made, Christian behavior should always mirror a redeemed life, avoiding malice, darkness, or the celebration of cruelty and death.
NB,Remember let all that you do be for the glory of God and notjing else, Shalom.
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