About Samhain

Samhain (pronounced "sow-in") is the ancient Gaelic festival that marks the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, the "darker half" of the year. Celebrated from sunset on October 31 into November 1, it was believed to be a liminal time when the veil between the living and the dead grew thin and spirits could cross over. This live Samhain countdown shows exactly how many days, hours and minutes remain until the festival in your timezone.

Historically, communities lit great bonfires, took stock of herds and food stores for the winter, and set places at the table for departed ancestors. People wore disguises and carved lanterns from turnips to ward off or mimic wandering spirits — customs that Irish and Scottish migrants carried to North America, where they evolved into Halloween's costumes, trick-or-treating and jack-o'-lanterns. Today Samhain is honoured by Celtic communities and kept as a sacred new-year festival by many modern Pagans.

Samhain is one of the four Gaelic fire festivals and a cross-quarter day of the Wheel of the Year, falling roughly midway between the autumn equinox and the winter solstice; it is traditionally kept on the night of October 31. When the date passes, this page automatically counts down to next year's Samhain — bookmark it, or add Samhain to your own countdown page.