Happy Halloween - Some Spooky Fun Facts and Local Stories

Halloween is nearly here and it’s always a good time to add a little spooky fun to your day, whether you’re hanging out with friends, getting your place ready, or just enjoying the autumn vibes. Before you dive into the celebrations, we thought it would be cool to share some interesting things about Halloween in the UK and some local Swansea stories to get you in the mood.

Halloween actually has really old roots here in the UK. It goes back to an ancient Celtic festival called Samhain. People used to celebrate the end of the harvest season and the start of the cold, dark winter. Back then, they believed that the boundary between the living world and the spirit world was thinner around this time of year. Because of that, they thought ghosts and spirits could cross over and roam the earth. It was a time to light bonfires and wear costumes to keep those spirits away.

The pumpkin carving tradition that’s so popular today actually started a little differently. In Ireland and Scotland, people used to carve faces into turnips or other root vegetables to scare off wandering spirits. When Irish immigrants came to America, they discovered pumpkins were easier to carve and much bigger, so the jack-o’-lantern as we know it was born. But if you want to keep it authentic, you could always try carving a turnip this Halloween.

Trick or treating is another interesting tradition. It didn’t really become popular in the UK until the 1980s. Before that, kids went “guising” which meant dressing up in costumes and going door to door to perform songs or jokes in exchange for treats. It was less about threats and more about entertainment. So when you’re knocking on doors this year, you’re taking part in a tradition that’s only a few decades old here but has deep roots in earlier customs.

Swansea itself has plenty of spooky stories and places that make Halloween feel a bit more real. For example, Swansea Castle is said to be haunted, and people have reported strange noises and ghostly sightings there. The Maritime Quarter has its own legends of mysterious figures wandering the docks late at night. If you’re up for a bit of local adventure, grabbing a few friends and exploring some of these spots could be a fun way to get into the Halloween spirit.

If you’re staying in your student house, adding some decorations like cobwebs, spooky lights or even a hand-carved pumpkin can transform your place without much effort. You don’t have to go over the top to make it feel festive. And maybe set up a horror movie night with your housemates. Whether you prefer classic chills or silly scary comedies, it’s a great way to relax and have some laughs.

One more fun fact - did you know that in some parts of the UK people still follow the old tradition of “snap-apple” at Halloween? It’s a game where apples are hung from a string and you try to bite one without using your hands. It’s messy but a good laugh with friends.

Whether you’re planning to head out, stay in or just enjoy some snacks and spooky stories, it’s a great chance to take a break and have some fun. We hope your Halloween is full of good times, a few surprises and plenty of treats. If you come across any great local events or have some cool decorations or costumes to show off, we’d love to hear from you.

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The Halloween Quiz!

By Oliver Wright • October 31, 2026

How well do you know Halloween in Wales? Wales has its own Halloween traditions, and some of them are actually pretty strange. So we thought we would put together a quick quiz and see how much you know about Calan Gaeaf and some of the old Welsh Halloween traditions. 1. What is the Welsh name for Halloween? A) Calan Gaeaf B) Calan Mai C) Gŵyl Dewi D) Noson Nadolig 2. What is the Hwch Ddu Gwta? A) A headless horse B) A tailless black sow C) A Welsh witch D) A giant black dog 3. What does Ladi Wen mean? A) The Black Lady B) The Old Lady C) The White Lady D) The Witch Lady 4. What was traditionally lit as part of Halloween celebrations in Wales? A) Lanterns B) Bonfires C) Candles D) Torches 5. According to old Welsh folklore, what could happen if you were the last person to leave the Halloween fire? A) The White Lady would appear B) The Hwch Ddu Gwta could get you C) You would have bad luck for a year D) You would have to relight the fire 6. Which of these is actually part of Welsh Halloween folklore? A) The Tailless Black Sow B) The Pumpkin King C) The Red Dragon Witch D) The Swansea Skeleton 7. Calan Gaeaf traditionally marked the start of what? A) Spring B) Summer C) Autumn D) Winter 8. According to old Welsh beliefs, when were ghosts said to appear at the stiles? A) Sunrise B) Midday C) Midnight D) Lunchtime 9. You are walking home after a Halloween night out in Swansea and hear something behind you. What are you doing? A) Turning around B) Running C) Pretending you heard nothing D) Texting the group chat We are not saying there is a right answer to this one. 10. Last one. Which would you least want to see on your walk home? A) The Ladi Wen B) The Hwch Ddu Gwta C) A massive spider D) A seagull that has spotted your chips So, how did you do? 8–10: You actually know your Welsh Halloween stuff 5–7: Not bad 2–4: You clearly need to do some reading 0–1: Probably best to stay inside this Halloween The answers A — Calan Gaeaf B — A tailless black sow C — The White Lady B — Bonfires B — The Hwch Ddu Gwta could get you A — The Tailless Black Sow D — Winter C — Midnight Questions 9 and 10 are just for fun.