Halloween

Kids in the greater metro area of Iowa's capital city typically go trick-or-treating the night before Halloween, a tradition that began in the 1930s as a way to help prevent vandalism.

Don't be surprised if you see fewer chocolate treats in your trick-or-treating loot. Customers are souring on costly chocolate, resulting from a few disappointing cocoa crop years.

A pumpkin carver in Oklahoma has gained notoriety for her celebrity pumpkins where you only see the face once the pumpkin is lit in the dark. She says anyone can do it with the right template.

NPR asked readers for insights into their Halloween traditions and they did not disappoint. From unique offerings for trick-or-treaters to honoring loved ones, the activities are nowhere near sparse.

As Halloween approaches, it's time to start thinking about costumes for the upcoming festivities. But first, NPR wants to hear about your favorite unique holiday traditions.

Drought has affected several pumpkin-producing states, including Illinois, Indiana and Michigan. But rain arrived at the right time to produce a bumper crop in parts of the Midwest.

There is no evidence of any deaths or injuries from contaminated Halloween candy. Why are people still afraid of it?

Trunk-or-treating has been popular among churches, where people gather in parking lots and decorate their car trunks. Here's a rundown of how it started and how to find one nearby.

More U.S. shoppers are buying into Halloween this year, scaring up a new spending record for costumes, decorations, candy and cute outfits for pets.

Ads for horror movies and TV shows seem to be everywhere around Halloween — including during shows that kids might be watching. Avoiding them is a challenge.