Trick or Treat: Why Halloween is good for your wellbeing
If you're a Halloween skeptic, there might be reasons other than pumpkins to get behind the festival.
I’m a late adopter of Halloween. It’s always felt like an imported festival (the American version) that I don’t have a lived experience to relate to. For me it’s not nostalgic like the Easter egg hunts of my childhood, it's just, well, strange. I also don’t know how to carve a pumpkin.
But I’ve changed my mind about Halloween, Beyond the fancy dress and sugar highs, I’m embracing Halloween as a brilliant community building exercise. More and more kids are participating, and more and more houses are joining in. It’s been a chance to meet more neighbours than ever before, get to know existing friends better and see younger kids feel independent and free.
Below we look at:
How Halloween is growing as a lifestyle trend (outside of the US)
The social benefits of embracing Halloween
Neighbourliness beyond carving pumpkins.
Weekly Trends, Tips & Insights
Lifestyle Trend: Halloween is growing in Australia but based on google trend results it’s less important in our imagination than the Premier League Soccer or Pickleball. Google search results for Halloween also peaked during the Covid-19 2020 lockdowns, which likely prompted a desire to support our local neighbourhood.
Tip: The Halloween Community Map lists over 1500 locations in Melbourne where you can go trick or treating. You can add your home to the list, or, if your neighbourhood is quiet this is a place to find
Insight: Humans need social connection, and Halloween creates a ritual and chance to connect with people outside our orbit. Researchers from Berkeley also note that a safe, moderate level of stress (from decorations, costume making or spooky costumes), make-believe and dress ups and candy (yes even candy) are all reasons Halloween is good for your wellbeing.
…Back to the blog
1. Halloween: A growing lifestyle trend outside of the US
Countries that never celebrated it a few decades ago have slowly started to embrace the scary costumes and spooky stories, including Australia. Over the past few years I’ve watched Halloween grow in my local neighbourhood as my kids have dragged me around the streets in search of treats (the trick part doesn’t seem to feature heavily where I am in Australia at this point). And I’m not alone. The Halloween Community Map (I love that this exists) shows a huge increase in houses that are putting themselves on the map.
And while it seems to be growing around us, google trend data would suggest that Australians reached ‘peak’ Halloween in the 2020, as a result of covid-19 lockdowns and finding new ways to connect locally was a life-saving priority. The same data also shows that Australian’s rate Halloween somewhere below Pickleball and the Premier League Soccer.
2. The social benefits of Halloween
Halloween offers new ways to build community ties and neighbourliness. Here are three significant benefits
Breaking Barriers and Making Connections: One of the most compelling benefits of Halloween is its potential to dissolve barriers. On this night, streets that were once quiet come alive with children trick-or-treating and adults sharing a laugh over creative costumes. Neighbours, who might not talk throughout the year, share stories, sweets, and even spooky tales. It's a momentary but powerful connection that establishes a bond which can last beyond October.
Celebrating Diversity: Halloween is a melting pot of cultures. While its origins are Celtic, the way it is celebrated across the world varies. In Australia, Halloween integrates the diverse cultural fabric of the nation, with costumes ranging from traditional Celtic to pop culture figures. It's a day where everyone can be anything they want, respecting and appreciating the different backgrounds everyone comes from.
Safe Streets and Watchful Eyes: Halloween inadvertently promotes neighbourhood safety. Social researchers and urban planners have documented the phenomenon of “eyes on the street” - where busy places and passive surveillance actually makes streets safer. Parents walking with children or homeowners waiting to give out treats ensure that the streets are well-lit and active. This community presence helps deter crime and promotes a safer environment for everyone.
3. Being a better Neighbour
Having social connection with neighbours is one of the things that can improve your wellbeing and life expectancy. Finding ways to connect with locals on the 364 days of the year that are not Halloween requires some creativity. During the Covid-19 pandemic, I helped spearhead a campaign where 30+ international organisations came together to support locals making small neighbourhood improvements to build neighbourliness and improve wellbeing called "Placemaking Action Week". It echoed the essence of Halloween in many ways, with a focus on making improvements to porches, streets, and windows to remind us of our shared connection. Both Halloween and Placemaking Action Week emphasise the importance of community, reminding us that no matter the challenges we face, neighbourliness can be our strongest asset.
So while I’m a late adopter, Halloween, with its ghoulish decorations and fun costumes, serves a deeper purpose. It brings together communities, fosters connections, and celebrates diversity. So, the next time you see a group of kids trick-or-treating or a neighbour dressed as a witch, know that it's not just about the candy and scares; it's about community.