Halloween Music and Traditions

What is Halloween?

Halloween is just around the corner — a time for costumes, jack-o’-lanterns, spooky tunes, and plenty of sweet treats. Whether you’re planning a party, a recital, or just looking to set the mood, the right Halloween music can make all the difference. From eerie classical pieces to playful ghostly melodies, music has always been at the heart of Halloween fun. If you’d like to skip straight to our spooky sheet music collection, head to the bottom of this post — otherwise, read on to discover the fascinating origins of this hauntingly popular holiday.

Celtic Roots: Samhain

The story of Halloween begins with the ancient Celts of Ireland, the UK, and northern France. They celebrated Samhain (pronounced “sow-in”), marking the end of the harvest season and the start of winter. During Samhain, it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead became thin, allowing spirits to cross over. To protect themselves, the Celts lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off wandering ghosts — traditions that would later inspire modern Halloween celebrations

Christian Influence: All Hallows’ Eve

Centuries later, in the 8th century, the Catholic Church established All Saints’ Day on November 1st to honor saints and martyrs. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve, which gradually evolved into Halloween. Over time, Christian and Celtic customs merged, blending faith, folklore, and a touch of superstition into one hauntingly festive night.

Immigrant Influence: A Cultural Blend

In the 19th century, Irish and Scottish immigrants carried their Halloween traditions to North America, where they mingled with other cultural customs. This melting pot of practices gave rise to the modern Halloween we know today — one filled with community gatherings, costumes, and creative celebrations that continue to evolve each year

Trick-or-Treating: A Playful Tradition

The cheerful custom of trick-or-treating likely traces back to medieval Europe’s “souling” tradition. The poor would go door-to-door on All Saints’ Day, offering prayers for the dead in exchange for food. In America, these old-world customs transformed into a more playful tradition — children dressing up and collecting candy from neighbors. Today, it’s one of the most recognizable and beloved parts of Halloween.

Jack-o’-Lanterns: From Turnips to Pumpkins

Few Halloween symbols are as iconic as the jack-o’-lantern. Its origins lie in Irish folklore, particularly the tale of “Stingy Jack”, a trickster who outwitted the devil but was doomed to wander the earth with only a glowing lantern. Early Irish celebrants carved turnips to represent his lantern, but when immigrants arrived in America, they found that pumpkins — abundant and easier to carve — made the perfect substitute.

Costumes: Hiding from Roaming Spirits

The tradition of wearing costumes began with the Celts, who disguised themselves to hide from spirits during Samhain. Over the centuries, this evolved into the fun, creative practice we enjoy today. From spooky ghosts to pop-culture icons, Halloween costumes now reflect both imagination and community spirit.

Haunted Houses and Spooky Decorations

No Halloween is complete without a few frights! Over time, haunted houses, eerie decorations, and ghostly displays have become central to the celebration. What started as simple traditions has grown into a thriving creative outlet — blending artistry, storytelling, and a shared love of spooky fun.

Halloween Music

Halloween’s journey from ancient ritual to modern celebration is as rich and varied as the costumes you’ll see on the streets. It’s a night where history, folklore, and creativity intertwine — and of course, where music sets the mood!

So if you’re having a party and are looking for spooky Halloween music to play then have a look at our suggestions below.

Danse Macabre by Saint-Saëns – this is based around a French legend where Death plays his fiddle at midnight on Halloween, making the skeletons in the cemetery come out and dance.

Funeral March by Chopin – it’s possible that Chopin wrote this sympathising with his fellow Polish countrymen in their uprising against the Russians in the 1830s.

In the Hall of the Mountain King by Grieg – from the Peer Gynt suite. This describes Peer escaping from the home of the Mountain King with the trolls chasing him.

Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner – from The Ring cycle. The Valkyries are warrior maidens who are returning from battle and gathering on a mountain top.

Funeral March of a Marionette by Gounod – this piece tells of a marionette which has died in a duel. The funeral procession begins followed by a gentler section where the mourners have refreshments. Then the procession begins again.

Hungarian Dance by Brahms – Hungarian travelling Gypsy bands inspired Brahms when he composed this.

Toccata and Fugue in D Minor by Bach – This is a very familiar piece that has been used in various films including Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931), Fantasia (1940), La Dolce Vita (1960), Rollerball (1975) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954).

Use your membership to download the spooky sheet music from music-scores. If we don’t have a version for your instrument or ensemble then just contact us to request a transposition.

And finally…

Halloween’s evolution from ancient ritual to modern celebration is filled with mystery, creativity, and of course — music. From haunting classical themes to fun, family-friendly tunes, Halloween music continues to capture the imagination of performers and listeners alike. Whether you’re looking for spooky sheet music for piano, strings, or ensemble, or you simply love the thrill of a ghostly melody, we’ve got something for every musician.

You can read more about the history of Halloween and its traditions at History.com