As the veil between the worlds thins and the chill of autumn settles in, we find ourselves on the cusp of one of the most enchanting times of the year: Samhain. This ancient and mysterious festival is our portal into the darker half of the year, and our last chance to celebrate the bounty of the year’s harvest.

Picture flickering candles casting playful shadows, the earthy scent of fallen leaves, and the crackle of a warm bonfire as friends gather to honour the spirits of our ancestors.

Unlike Halloween, this feast day’s modern cousin, Samhain is not just a time for spooky tales and sweet treats; it’s a celebration of life, death, and the cyclical nature of existence.

Whether you’re a seasoned witch or simply someone who enjoys gathering with friends as the nights draw in, there are countless ways to infuse your festivities with a bit of magic and mischief. So, grab your favourite cosy blanket, pour yourself a cup of something warm, and let’s explore 20 delightful ways to celebrate this mystical holiday.

Get ready to embrace the enchantment of Samhain, where every shadow holds a story, and every flicker of light guides us through the dark…

1. Host a bonfire

Gather your friends and family for a cosy bonfire under the stars. This age-old tradition symbolizes the light that guides us through the dark months ahead. As you sit around the crackling flames, share stories, sing songs, or simply enjoy the warmth.

Throw in some herbs or dried leaves as a gift to the fire. Offer a moment of presence as they release their fragrant smoke, inviting in the blessings of good spirits, and burnining away negativity.

Don’t forget to bring marshmallows for roasting—what’s a bonfire without a little sweetness?

2. Create a Samhain altar

Transform a corner of your home into a sacred space by crafting a Samhain altar. Decorate it with seasonal items like pumpkins, acorns, and colourful autumn leaves. Add candles, crystals, and photographs of loved ones who have passed, inviting their spirits to join your celebration (also see creating an ancestral altar below).

You can also include symbols of the harvest, like grains and fruits, to express gratitude for the year’s bounty.

This altar will serve as a focal point for reflection and connection throughout the festivities.

3. Carve pumpkins

OK, I know this is probably the most typical Halloween activity ever (bar trick or treating) but the tradition of pumpkin carving is believed to stretch back far into Irish mythology.

Many trace its origins back to an old Irish myth about a character named “Stingy Jack.” Jack was a clever but deceitful man who tricked the Devil multiple times, eventually being denied entry to both Heaven and Hell after his death.

Some believe the Devil sent Jack away with a burning coal to light his way, which Jack placed inside a carved-out turnip to create a lantern.

Others believe the tradition of carving scary faces out of vegetables (turnips) was created to frighten away Jack’s wandering soul.

When Irish immigrants moved to America, they began carving jack-o’-lanterns from pumpkins, rather than turnips, as these were native to the land.

So this Samhain, gather your friends for a carving party, creating classic spooky faces or more decorative designs. As you scoop out the insides, save the seeds for roasting later—perfect for a crunchy snack while you enjoy the festivities.

Light a candle inside each pumpkin to illuminate the night and ward off any wandering spirits.

4. Hold a feast

Samhain is traditionally the very last feast day to celebrate the harvest season.

Gather seasonal ingredients like root vegetables, apples, and hearty grains to create a meal that honours the earth’s abundance. Invite friends to bring their favourite dishes to share, creating a generous atmosphere filled with laughter and warmth.

Set the table with autumn-themed decorations—think colourful leaves, candles, and rustic tableware. As you feast, share stories of gratitude and reminisce about the year’s blessings.

5. Make a Samhain mask

Unleash your inner artist by crafting a Samhain mask. Using natural materials like leaves, twigs, flowers, and recycled items, create a mask that represents the spirits of the season. This fun activity is perfect for all ages, and wearing your creation during celebrations adds an element of mystery and playfulness.

Some believe masks were worn to deceive and confuse malevolent spirits, serving as protection during this long night of mischief. So, as you don your mask, embrace the protective energies that come with it, and fully immerse yourself in the enchanting spirit of Samhain!

Masks can also symbolize the transformation we all undergo as the seasons change, so this can be a meaningful ritual to help you embrace the natural cycles of decay and regeneration.

I’m in LOVE with these masks below, made by artist Diana Renzhina, find her work HERE and follow her Instagram account HERE.

6. Practice divination

As the veils between the worlds are thin, Samhain is the perfect time to tap into your intuition and explore divination practices.

You could gather friends for a tarot reading or try your hand at scrying with a black mirror, crystal ball or a bowl of water. Using traditional games like apple bobbing is fun too, where each apple represents a question or desire.

Insights gained during this time can be especially profound, and well-timed as we move towards winter solstice, and into the dark void of potential.

7. Go on a medicine walk

Connecting with nature can take many forms, depending on your intention. One of my favourite ways to commune with mother Earth, is to go on a medicine walk.

Set an intention to receive the answer to a question you have in your life. Then go out into nature for a walk, stepping consciously and with full attention on your surroundings. Be open and receptive to what you see, hear, smell, taste, and touch. You may notice vibrant autumn foliage, a firked branch, the call of a crow or the whisper of a breeze on your skin. Receive any and all information coming to you, as a response to your intention. 

A medicine walk is a profound spiritual practice, working in partnership with the great mother, and on Samhain, her messages will take on an extra depth and sparkle.

8. Share fond memories of loved ones

Gather around the fire or a cosy space indoors to share fond memories of those who have passed on.

In many traditions, Samhain is the day when the spirits of the deceased can, once again, come close. By sharing our favourite memories of these beloved people, we can honour their lives while keeping their spirits alive in our hearts.

Encourage everyone to share stories that highlight the unique qualities, quirks, and unforgettable moments they experienced with these cherished individuals. Whether it’s a funny anecdote, a lesson learned, or a simple memory that brings a smile, these stories create a warm atmosphere filled with love and connection.

As you reminisce, light a candle in their honor, inviting their spirits to join the celebration and reminding everyone that while they may be gone, their impact and love continue to resonate in our lives.

9. Create an ancestral altar

Set up an altar as a loving tribute to those who have passed. This can be blood relatives, but also other spirit kin you feel touched by, and want to honour.

• Find photographs, prints, statuettes, or art (perhaps old family albums, postcards, or pages from books) depicting figures that you connect with, who inspire you and with whom you share a deep, deep affinity. You may also want to channel your own drawings, poems, or writings.
• Gather these materials as symbols of the lineage you’re a part of, and are still pioneering today.
• Place them on your altar, if you already have one. If not, then create one for Sahmhain – this could be on your dressing table, kitchen table, or even your car dashboard or a pile of books. The key is intention.
• Now place a candle on your altar, and light it as a symbol of the connection between this world and the world beyond the veils.
• Awaken your altar by singing, drumming, or rattling over it. As you do, hold the intention that this space becomes sacred and holy, a place of connection between the worlds, an appropriate place for your Spirits to reside.
• Trust that your altar is an anchor point for your devotion. Sit with it, and pray, petition, meditate, and journey with your spirit allies as many times as you can, and for as long as you wish during Samhain season.

Remember to keep awakening your altar, and refreshing it with other objects like flowers, herbs, incense and offerings of food.

This act of remembrance not only honours the memory of these special folks, but also strengthens your connection to your roots.

10. Participate in a Samhain ritual

Embrace the spiritual magic of Samhain by participating in a ritual that resonates with you. This could be a simple candle-lighting ceremony, a gratitude ritual, or something more elaborate involving the elements, a deity you work with, or a releasing ritual.

Cross-quarter days like Samhain are known as power days, so your ritual will have added impact.

11. Make seasonal crafts

Get creative and crafty with seasonal materials!

Gather leaves, pinecones, and other natural elements to create beautiful decorations for your home, like wreaths, garlands, or even simple centrepieces for a Sahmain feast (see below!)

This is a great way to engage with friends or family, turning Samhain into a fun gathering of togetherness. It will also offer the opportunity to chat, reflect, and share your hopes, fears and dreams, without the pressure of ritual or ceremony.

12. Dress up

Probably the number 1 feature of all modern Halloween celebrations, dressing up has origins that aren’t all fun and games!

The earliest records of donning disguises on Samhain date back to the Celtic lands of Scotland, Ireland, Mann, and Wales during the 18th and 19th centuries. Knowing the veils were thin on this date, people would dress up, to confuse marauding spirits who were up to no good, preventing them from carrying the living back to the spirit lands.

Time may have moved on, but have malevolent Spirits?

Dressing up on Samhain not only adds excitement to the festivities but could be the thing to keep you safe from wandering spirits…

13. Perform a gratitude ritual

In amongst all the spookiness and excitement, taking a moment to reflect on the blessings of the past year can be profound.

Write down the things you’re thankful for on pieces of paper, then share them aloud with your friends or family. You may choose to burn the papers in the bonfire as an offering to the spirits, or bury them in the ground to symbolize planting seeds of gratitude for the future.

This is a really sweet little practice that never fails to foster a sense of appreciation and connection, reminding us of the abundance in our lives.

14. Host a dumb supper

The tradition of the dumb supper is a hauntingly beautiful ritual where food is consumed in silence, inviting ancestors to join the living at the table. This eerie gathering is said to allow the spirits to interact with their families, and make it easier for that connection to be felt. 

Then the spectral guests depart after dinner, leaving a lingering sense of connection and reverence.

Here are a few other ideas for your dumb supper:

• Leave doors and windows ajar to welcome the spirits inside
• Plan fun and playful children’s games to amuse the wandering souls
• Recount the year’s events to the departed, connecting them to your current life
• Arrange photos and cherished mementos on an altar to invite the souls of loved ones

15. Bake seasonal treats (and give them as offerings)

Put your kitchen witchery apron on, and whip up some delicious seasonal treats!

Bake soul cakes, apple cider doughnuts, or pumpkin pastries to share with your friends and family, and of course, give as offerings to the ancestors and any other visiting spirits. Leave a plate on your altar, or by your front door.

16. Decorate a hawthorn tree

Embrace the magic of Samhain by honouring the sacred hawthorn tree, a revered symbol of this mystical season.

Known as a protector of the fae, hawthorn trees are believed to be gateways to the Otherworld, making them especially significant during this time when the veil is thinnest. Adorn the branches with ribbons or colourful fabric, allowing the gentle autumn breeze to dance through them and carry your intentions to the spirits.

As you decorate, reflect on the cyclical nature of the Wheel of the Year – Beltane, with its vibrant celebrations of life and fertility, stands in stark contrast to Samhain, which invites us to honour death and transformation. Feel this duality enrich your connection to the spirit realm.

Many believe this Samhain-Beltane axis is one of the best times to glimpse the fae, as they emerge from their hidden realms to join the festivities. So, as you embellish the hawthorn, give your deep reverence and respect to the faeries, knowing they are also weaving their magic into the fabric of Samhain.

17. Visit a cemetery

Honour loved ones (yours, and others) by visiting a local cemetery. Bring flowers, candles, or small tokens to leave at their graves as a gesture of remembrance.

If you like this idea, take it a step further and go on a graveyard picnic. Bring the favourite food of the deceased and share it with them.

Drop deeply into this quiet time of reflection and connection, and invite their spirits to join you in the celebrations you have planned for later!

18. Light the day with candles

Use only candles to light your spaces for the day, starting with a candlelit breakfast, and finishing with candles by your bedside.

Illuminating your home only with candles during Samhain will help attune you to this dark day, and offer a mystical, otherworldly tone. So avoid reaching for the switch!

On Samhain, candles also symbolize the light guiding spirits back to their resting places. You can place candles on your altar, in windows, or around your bonfire to create a warm and inviting atmosphere.

Consider using different colors to represent various intentions—white for purity, black for protection, and orange for abundance. As you light each candle, take a moment to set an intention or offer a prayer, inviting peace and connection into your space.

19. Connect with the Dark Goddess

Mabon is the ideal time to step onto the path of the Dark Goddess, a powerful deity archetype embodying the wisdom of shadows and the transformative darkness inherent in life.

Whenever you call upon the Divine Feminine, be sure to make offerings and come with humility.

Invoke her presence through meditation or ritual, inviting her energy to guide you in embracing your shadows and hidden strengths. Reflect on the lessons she offers -transformation, intuition, and the beauty found in darkness. Allow her to inspire you to reclaim your power, fostering a deeper connection to the cycles of nature and the magic that resides within.

20. Reflect and journal

As the year draws to a close, Samhain is a beautiful take time to reflect and journal about your experiences. Find a cosy spot, perhaps near your altar or by the fire, and write about the lessons you learned, the challenges you faced, and your dreams for the future.

This practice can help you to process your thoughts and emotions, creating a sense of closure and intention as you step into the darkest season, and let go of all that feels too heavy, unnecessary, or will hold you back from moving forward. Here’s a list of Samhain journal prompts for you to use as starting points –

• What significant endings have you experienced in the past year? How have these changes shaped your journey, and what lessons did you learn from them?
• Write a letter to something in your life that you wish to let go of – it a habit, a relationship, or a fear for example. Describe how it has affected you and what it would feel like to release it completely.
• How do you perceive darkness in your life? Do you see it as something to fear, or as a space for growth and reflection? Explore your feelings about the dark and what it represents to you.
• What uncertainties are you currently grappling with? Write about how these uncertainties make you feel and what potential opportunities they might hold for growth and transformation.
• Consider the cyclical nature of life and death. How does this cycle manifest in your own experiences? Write about how endings can lead to new beginnings and the beauty of transformation.
• What lessons have you learned from times of darkness, uncertainty or struggle in your life? Reflect on how these experiences have contributed to your personal growth and resilience.
• What intentions do you want to set for release and renewal as you prepare for the darker months ahead? Write about what you hope to let go of and what you wish to invite into your life.
• Write about a situation in your life where you feel uncertain or afraid of the unknown. What steps can you take to embrace this uncertainty as a part of your journey, and how might it lead to unexpected growth?

These prompts can help guide your reflections during Samhain, allowing you to explore the depths of endings, release, and the transformative power of darkness.

Remember – don’t try to do ALL of these suggestions! Embracing just 1 or 2 of these 20 ways to celebrate Samhain will create a magical atmosphere filled with warmth, connection, and a sprinkle of mystery.

As you honour the past and welcome the future, may your festivities be rich with joy and enchantment. 

Samhain blessing to you