Samhain 2023

Samhain 2023 starts on Tuesday, October 31, 2023 (in 27 days) and ends on Wednesday, November 1st 2023 (in 28 days).  Calendar for 2023

Samhain is ancient Celtic seasonal festival to mark the end of the harvest and to remember the dead that is celebrated from sunset on October 31 to sunset on November 1. It is held at the time of year when the boundary between this world and the world of the dead is considered to be at its thinnest and can most easily be crossed, and the souls of the dead return to the world of the living for one night to revisit their homes and seek hospitality. It is thus related to (and conincides with) the Christian celebrations of Hallowtide: Halloween (All Saints' Eve) on October 31, All Saints' Day on November 1 and All Souls' Day on November 2. It also coincides with the Mexican festival Day of the Dead.

Samhain is a precursor to the modern-day Halloween festival, and many Samhain customs and traditions survive in Halloween, for example going from door to door in disguise (or in costume) to ask for food in exchange for praying for the dead.

Further reading: Samhain on Wikipedia

Samhain 2024 starts on Thursday, October 31, 2024 (in 393 days) and ends on Friday, November 1st 2024 (in 394 days).  Calendar for 2024

Dates of Samhain 2023 and surrounding years as downloadable image file