The Spooky Origins of Trick-or-Treating and Alberta's Haunted Connections

Every Halloween, we tell our kids to knock, call “Trick or treat!”, and receive candy (or suffer a harmless prank). But where did this custom really begin — and what connection does Alberta have to it? In this post, we’ll dig into the tangled roots of trick-or-treating, track its migration across the Atlantic, and highlight surprising Alberta contributions that give Halloween in Calgary a sense of local ownership.

From Samhain to Souling: The Deep Roots of Halloween Begging Traditions

To understand trick-or-treating, we need to go back well before candy bars and porch lights. Its ancestors are woven through ancient, medieval, and folk traditions across Europe:

• The Celtic festival of Samhain (October 31 – November 1) marked the boundary between the “light half” and the “dark half” of the year. It was believed that spirits or the “otherworld” might cross into our world, and people would light bonfires, wear disguises, or leave offerings to placate or confuse those spirits. City of Edmonton+2Wikipedia+2

• In medieval Christian Europe, the practice of souling (on All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Day) had people — often poor or children — going door to door, offering prayers for the souls of the dead in exchange for “soul cakes” or small food offerings. Wikipedia+2Wikipedia+2

• In Scotland and Ireland, guising was a parallel custom: children would dress in costume (or disguise), go house to house, and perform a small song, joke, or recitation in exchange for food, coins, or other treats. Sometimes there was a playful threat of a trick if they were refused. Heritage Park+3Wikipedia+3RETROactive+3

  
  

Over centuries, these customs merged, adapted, and migrated. By the 19th century, immigrants from Ireland and Scotland brought their Halloween traditions to North America — including Canada. Sundance College+2Bon Accord Public Library+2

In Canada, Halloween celebrations evolved: costume parties, parades, and community events helped shift the focus from spiritual or religious ritual to social, communal fun.

The Birth of Trick-or-Treating: An Alberta Connection

One of the most compelling Alberta connections to trick-or-treating is linguistic: the first known printed occurrence of the exact phrase “trick or treat” in a Halloween context appears in Blackie, Alberta, in 1927. RETROactive+4Heritage Park+4The Reflector+4

Here’s how the story goes:

• In November 1927, a local newspaper in Blackie (a hamlet south of Calgary) ran a notice saying:

  “Hallowe’en provided an opportunity for real strenuous fun… The youthful tormentors were at back door and front demanding edible plunder by the word ‘trick or treat’ to which the inmates gladly responded and sent the robbers away rejoicing.” Heritage Park

• The City of Edmonton Archives also acknowledges this Blackie mention as the earliest recorded use of the phrase in a Halloween context. City of Edmonton

• Local Alberta history sources celebrate this as a point of provincial pride: the chant we use today was first documented in Alberta soil. Bon Accord Public Library+2RETROactive+2

It’s worth noting that variants of Halloween begging behavior (guising, souling, etc.) existed elsewhere earlier, but none use that precise pairing “trick or treat” in print until the Blackie mention. The Reflector+4Wikipedia+4Heritage Park+4

So in a sense, Alberta claimed its place in Halloween folklore by giving voice (in print) to the phrase that children across North America now chant.

Halloween in Alberta: Early Practices and Local Culture

Beyond language, how did Alberta communities adopt and adapt Halloween practices? A few historical glimpses help us see how trick-or-treating and Halloween culture took shape in the province:

• In Edmonton, by the 1930s, costumed children going door to door was common. In early examples, they sometimes targeted businesses (shops) first, demanding treats — possibly because storefronts were more concentrated and convenient to visit. Taproot Edmonton+3City of Edmonton+3RETROactive+3

• A photograph held in Edmonton’s archives shows children in costume on Jasper Avenue on October 31, 1933, engaging in the trick-or-treat practice. City of Edmonton

• The Edmonton Caledonian Society (a Scottish heritage organization) in the early 20th century explicitly promoted Halloween celebrations, referencing its Celtic roots. For example, in 1908 they invited members to “celebrate this old-fashioned Scottish festival” — a reflection of how cultural identity and Halloween were intertwined in Alberta. RETROactive

• During World War I, Halloween balls and parties in Alberta were often tied to fundraising for war causes (Red Cross, returning soldier funds) — blending social, charitable, and festive elements. RETROactive+1

  
  

These echoes suggest that in Alberta, Halloween was not only adopted but localized — embraced by community groups, tied to heritage, and evolving over time.

Embracing Halloween Memories

The origins of trick-or-treating intertwine rich history with current traditions. In Alberta, this beloved practice has flourished, enriched by the province's unique culture and haunted tales.

As Halloween approaches, let's celebrate the joy of trick-or-treating, whether we are dressing up, decorating our homes, or enjoying time spent with friends and family. Halloween is about much more than candy—it's about the connections and memories we create together. So, as October 31st draws near, prepare for a fun-filled celebration!

Next Up for Halloween in Alberta

Haunted Calgary is committed to Fear All Year- bringing unique and exciting events to the Calgary area year round. Check out this year's events at www.hauntedcalgary.org.

A haunted house adorned with Halloween decorations