Halloween today often revolves around free candy, raucous parties, and a quick costume fix—like throwing on some cat ears and calling it a day. But take a step back in time, and you’ll find that the October holiday used to embrace a much creepier aesthetic.
In the 1920s and 1930s, revelers transformed into fantastical, eerie characters, showing up to events that looked like they were plucked right out of a horror film. Think skeletal horses, creepy masks, and a general vibe that would make even the bravest soul shiver. We've unearthed some fascinating photos that offer a glimpse into these vintage Halloween celebrations. Take a look at what Halloween used to be!
Related: 14 Halloween Decorations for People with a Sense of Humor
15 Paw-some Dogs Who Owned Halloween This Year
When dogs show us how Halloween costumes are done.
14 Odd Inventions You Won’t Believe Were Once in Use
You might be surprised by what our ancestors considered essential gadgets.
15 Mall Photos That Capture the Retro Shopping Scene
These throwback mall pics are a blast from the past.
Early 1900s America Captured in Charming Vintage Photos
These vintage photos capture early 20th-century life in America.
When Jack-o’-Lanterns Became Works of Art (15 Pics)
Get inspired by these unbelievably creative Halloween pumpkins.
From the Past with Love: 16 Cool Vintage Treasures
How many of these cool vintage things do you remember?
Nature Used All Possible Colors to Create These Animals
Nature is filled with beautiful animals, plants and insects, with magnificent colors and shapes. The dazzling colors of these animals can only be found in nature, see for yourself in the photos below.
16 Remarkable Images That Showcase the World's Curiosities
This photo collection will take you on a tour through some incredible moments and places you haven't seen from this angle before!
Japan's Nature Comes Alive in Gorgeous Photo Collection
The immense beauty of Japan's nature is presented through a huge collection of sublime photographs.
21st Century Architecture is Really Stunning to Behold...
While modern architecture can be divisive, there's no denying it makes you sit up and take notice. Here are 14 stunning examples of 21st Century architecture.
A Slice of History – 20 Powerful Images of Yesteryear
This collection of rare historical photos will give you a fascinating glimpse of our past.
20 of the Most Perfectly-Timed Pictures Ever Taken
These have to be the most perfectly-timed pictures ever. Some are hilarious, others painful, and others will just cause amazement at how they were captured.
15 Stunning Winning Shots from Nikon's Small World Contest
Check out the fascinating winning entries from the 2024 Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition.
Life in the Past Century in 15 Unbelievable Vintage Photos
A magnificent collection of vintage photos that will teleport you back in time...
The 2023 German Society for Nature Photography Competition
A remarkable collection of 15 photographs unveiled during the 2023 German Society for Nature Photography competition.
A Bit of 20th Century Architecture with Frank Lloyd Wright
Frank Lloyd Wright was an American architect and pioneerwhose buildings continue to be held in high regard for their unique design
These Photos Prove Embracing Grey Hair Can Be Empowering!
Talented hair colorist Jack Martin empowers women with grey hair to embrace their gorgeous silver hair and it's beautiful!
15 Captivating Photos of Impressive Artwork and Designs
We stumbled upon some really unique photos of intentional and accidental art.
These Architectural Wonders Will Leave You Breathless
These incredible buildings will amaze any architecture lover.
When History Comes to Life: 21 Colorized Moments
Enjoy this amazing collection of colorized history photos.
10 Famous Historical Photos That Were Actually Staged
The truths behind these famous historical photos will surprise you.
Hold it Right There! These Photos Couldn't BE More Timely!
It's a photographer's dream to capture that precious image right as or before something dramatic occurs. These are some of the best examples we've ever seen.
These Designers Did SUCH a Great Job! 19 Handy Innovations
These creative design innovations should be more popular than they are, as they are so very clever and useful!
14 Genius Architectural Ideas Inspired by Everyday Objects
Felipe de Castro is a talented architect who transforms everyday objects into architectural marvels.
What Are the Odds? These Pics Capture Life's Freaky Flukes
Check out these remarkable photos of unbelievably rare coincidences.
From the Past with Love: 16 Cool Vintage Treasures
How many of these cool vintage things do you remember?
RARE: Early Photos of the World’s Most Iconic Landmarks
Marvel at the oldest known photos of some of the world's most historic places.
10 Swiss Castles That Look Utterly Magical
Switzerland has some of Europe's most enchanting castles. Here are 10 absolute historical beauties.
From an Unsightly Tree Stump to a Garden's Centerpiece!
If you have a tree stump in your garden that you can't get rid of, why not turn it into something beautiful?
11 Architectural Masterpieces Worldwide Inspired by Nature
Let’s delve into the world of organic architecture and consider 11 noteworthy examples of buildings that took their inspiration from nature.
Learn All About the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World...
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World serve as testament to the imagination, ingenuity, and sheer hard work of which human beings are capable. Learn more here.
I Miss Photographers Like This One...
Ran Maltet was a French photographer and poet, who died a decade ago. He had what seemed to be a natural talent to seize upon these split seconds of comedy and philosophy, and capture them on camera.
These Photos of Space Will Make You Feel Really Small!
The 2015 winners of the Insight Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition have just been announced, and their images are incredible...
These Photos Prove the Past Was a Funny Place...
These photos prove the past was just as bizarre as today!
The UK’s Glorious Landscape in 15 Unforgettable Photos
From classic views of the British countryside to powerful images of the ocean, these Landscape Photography Awards winners are mesmerising.
20 Stunning Photos Captured at the Perfect Moment
Take a look at these perfectly-timed photos that will undoubtedly take your breath away.
In Pictures: 2024 Black & White Photo Contest Winners
Check out the exceptional winners of the 2024 Black & White Photo Contest.
10 Award-Winning Dog Photos That Melt the Heart
These dogs stole the spotlight at the 2024 Dog Photography Awards.
These Vintage Olympic Photos are PURE GOLD
These vintage photos show just how much the Olympics have changed.
This Artist Wanted to See What's in Your Fridge...
This fascinating photography project reveals what's in the fridges of different people around the world and what can we can learn from them about their owners.
22 New and Beautiful Colorized Vintage Photos
Enjoy this amazing new collection of colorized historical photos.
RARE: 15 Uncommon Things You've Probably Never Seen Before
The world is full of amazing, bizarre, and interesting things.
14 Amazing Before-And-After Pics of Our Changing World
These before-and-after pictures show how just how much time changes everything.
16 Of the Best Astronomy Photographs Ever Taken
The wonders of our universe in 16 glorious photos.
18 Photos You Won't Be Able to Take Your Eyes Off
A collection of eighteen absolutely stunning photographs that you will definitely not be able to take your eyes off.
Reminisce With These Great Vintage Grocery Store Photos
Here are a collection of vintage photographs that will take you through different grocery stores across America throughout history. Take a look!
These Superb Optical Illusions Had Us Fooled!
These epic optical illusions completely caught us off guard!