More than 2,000 years ago, a holiday known as Halloween emerged and is celebrated annually on Oct. 31 and, well, the entire surrounding week.

It began with a group of people known as the Celtics, in the area of today’s Great Britain and Northern France. Halloween originated from the Celts’ belief in Shamin, a dark lord of winter.

On this day, the dead would return to the grounds of Earth to roam about and play “tricks” on the living and their crops.

Over time, it evolved into how we celebrate it today, with all sorts of costumes, candy, “spooky” decorations, trick or treating and ghost stories.

Austinites can celebrate Halloween’s eve and day in a variety of ways:

Halloween-spirited things to do:

1. House of Torment

2. Night Terrors Haunted House

3. Austin Ghosts Tours

4. Austin Haunted Limo Tours

5. Pumpkin Patch & Corn Maze

Special Halloween Events:

6. The Belmont’s 1st Annual Halloween Social: Neon Indian with Learning Secrets and Silent Diane

7. ACL Live & Ziegenbock 5th Annual Zombie Ball, featuring Black Joe Lewis with Captain Clegg and The Night Creatures

8. Alice in Wonderland Halloween at RIO Rooftop

9. Halloween Monster Ball at the Russian House

10. Halloween Tour of Homes at Querencia at Barton Creek

Charity and Volunteer Halloween Events:

11. Halloween at the Hospital at the Dell Children’s Medical Center

12. The Howl, presented by the Rescuers

13. Texas: Austin Fill Up America: Halloween Masquerade Ball

Other:

14. “Halloween,” playing at the Alamo Drafthouse

Ultimately, there are endless amounts of events and things to do for Halloween in Austin. The above are just a small portion of what is out there. Austinites that are of age can also go to 6th St. in their costume to celebrate.

Now, if being on a tight budget is of concern, one can always rent a scary movie, pop some popcorn, grab some candy and sit back and enjoy the Halloween spirit. Maybe even take a stroll down SoCo. There is always good old-fashioned trick-or-treating too.

Just remember to be safe and on your A-game, like “Pretty Little Liars,” and watch out for people that are howling at the moon, flying on broomsticks and lurking in the dark with sharp teeth. Halloween is known to bring out the “crazies” (“Here’s Johnny!”).

Twitter handle: @uhhlexisG