HowStuffWorks Halloween Guide 

For many people in the United States and Canada, Halloween ranks right up there with Christmas, Hanukkah and New Year's. You may be a veteran trick-or-treater, but how much do you really know about this sugar-filled fright fest?

Real-life haunted houses make us hide under the covers and sleep with one eye open. Learn about the spooky history of these real-life haunted houses.

If you've ever wondered where all our Halloween rituals come from, this article will solve the mystery and get you ready for the holiday. We'll look at Halloween’s Celtic and Christian origins, examine favorite traditions...

Halloween is the holiday when we revel in all things scary. Find out how the brain and body respond to fear, even when there's no real danger.

Apparitions, strange lights, unexplained noises or sudden drops in temperature -- are these signs of real ghosts? Find out.

Vampires have popped up in dozens of cultures for centuries. Explore the history of vampire legends and scientific explanations for real-life vampires.

Witchcraft and belief in magic have been around since the beginning of time. Learn the history of witchcraft, modern witchcraft and Wiccan rituals.

Bats are the only mammals that can fly, and they live much of their lives hanging upside down. Learn about bat wings, bat caves and bat myths.

Mummies are perhaps the most famous aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. Learn about how mummies are preserved.

Zombies aren't dead, but they should be. Learn about Haitian zombies, how science explains zombies and how to defend against zombie attacks

The stories of evil strangers tainting Halloween candy and apples with poison, glass and razor blades have prevailed for several decades. But are they true?