Ghost City The Podcast: The History of Halloween with Lesley Bannatyne — From Ancient Samhain to Modern Trick-or-Treating

In this episode of the Ghost City Tours Podcast, host Tim Nealon explores the rich and eerie history of Halloween with acclaimed author and historian Lesley Bannatyne. Together, they trace Halloween’s evolution from ancient Celtic Samhain rituals to the modern celebration of costumes, candy, and haunted houses we know today.

Bannatyne unpacks the fascinating story behind the world’s favorite spooky holiday, explaining how Irish and Scottish folklore crossed the Atlantic and blended with American traditions to shape Halloween’s spirit of mischief and community. You’ll learn about:

• The pagan roots of Samhain and All Hallows’ Eve

• How the Catholic Church influenced early Halloween customs

• The rise of trick-or-treating and neighborhood celebrations

• The role of Hollywood horror films in redefining the holiday

• The truth behind myths like razor blades in apples and the Satanic Panic

• Why Halloween continues to reflect our fears, creativity, and sense of belonging

Whether you love ghost stories, folklore, or just want to know how Halloween became the cultural phenomenon it is today, this episode delivers insight, history, and plenty of spooky charm.

Guest: Lesley Bannatyne, author of Halloween Nation and A Halloween Reader Podcast: Ghost City Tours Podcast Keywords: History of Halloween, Halloween origins, Samhain, Lesley Bannatyne, Ghost City Tours, Halloween folklore, Halloween traditions, trick-or-treating history, haunted holiday, Halloween podcast

Discover how Halloween became America’s favorite night of mystery and magic—only on the Ghost City Tours Podcast.