16 Reasons Black Folks May Not Love Halloween Like White People Do

Some Black parents are more conscious about the racism their children can experience if people decide to soil the fun of dressing up.

Halloween season is not embraced by errybody. Check out Tiktok and you will see white influencers strolling down Home Good aisles, stacking their Halloween decor in cars, but rarely will you see a Black influencer doing the same.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Beyoncé’ Youngest Goes Viral for Hilarious Stage Antics

Growing up in a traditional, Black and most likely religious household meant Halloween was not the most popular holiday. One of the most common reasons as to why you won’t see a Black home’s porch light on the night of October 31st is because they believe the celebration of witches, skeletons and ghosts is a breeding ground for demonic activity. It’s not always about spirituality, though.

Some Black folks just aren’t into the fun of costumes and candy. Others are more conscious about the racism they or their children can experience if people decide to soil the fun of dressing up. Most would rather save their coins for the major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Among all the reasons in the world that a Black person wouldn’t care for the holiday, here’s 16 reasons why Halloween is toward the bottom of the totem.

Halloween is “Demonic”

Photo: Getty Images Chadchai Ra-ngubpai

For most religion-based Black households, Halloween is off limits. With all of the holiday’s ties to ghosts and ghouls, Black folks are not with the idea of celebrating such demonic debauchery.

Unwanted Trick-or-Treaters

Photo: Getty Images Jupiterimages

Regardless of the neighborhood, a group of random kids and potentially nosey parents walking up to your door over and over is not appealing to some.

Rather Wait for Thanksgiving

Photo: Getty Images Granger Wootz

Why spend money on costumes and candy when we’re patiently waiting for the holidays that matter like Thanksgiving and Christmas? By the time the holiday is over, people are going to sweeping the macaroni boxes off the shelves.

The Hassle of Finding Costumes

Photo: Getty Images Daniel Llao Cavet

Costume picking comes with its own hassle of restrictions: nothing too inappropriate, nothing too stereotypical, nothing too expensive (even though all costumes are quite pricey). Plus, who has time to DIY something from scratch?

Racist Decorations

Screenshot: KHQ News

It’s hard to celebrate a holiday people use as a way to be openly racist. Hanging dolls on a noose or creating caricature scare crows is exactly what Black folks don’t want to put up with while on the candy hunt.

Racist Costumes

Julianne Hough as “Crazy Eyes” from “Orange is The New Black” Screenshot: TODAY

In the same breath, the holiday only means someone, whether a kid at school or even a celebrity, is going to go viral for an offensive, most likely blackface costume because they thought Halloween was a pass to be racist. Must we give the “Why Blackface Isn’t Cool” speech every year?

Mischief Night

Photo: Getty Images Darrin Klimek

No Black parent is going for any of the nonsense kids plan to get into before or on Halloween night. Pranks, crazy parties or debauchery of any caliber won’t just make a great story the next day but will also bring serious consequences.

People Who Take Halloween Too Serious

Photo: Getty Images nito100

What Black parents are letting their child become the Black kid in the horror movie that died first?! Killer clowns found themselves being outside of the movie screen one year. Safety first.

We Don’t Have a Reason to Celebrate

Photo: Getty Images SeventyFour

Black people don’t have a deep, cultural connection to Halloween. For some, that’s the reason they don’t care to indulge in the festivities.

Wrong Block

Photo: Getty Images Mark Liddell

Some folks just don’t have the foot traffic to expect trick-or-treaters to come by. Meanwhile, other don’t live on the trick-or-treat friendly block, if you know what I mean.

Violates The Street Light Code

Photo: Getty Images Patrick Strattner

Mama said be home before the street lights come on and you’re saying step outside after? On purpose?

Candy Concerns

Photo: Getty Images mediaphotos

Razor blades, drugs and all kinds of nonsense get hidden in candy these days. One can never be too safe.

Nothing to Pass Out

Photo: Getty Images Mark Liddell

Candy prices gettin’ a lil high now. For the folks who wait to the last minute and don’t feel like picking up that pack of fruit snacks or whatever’s left, sometimes they just resort to leaving the porch light off.

No Costume to Wear

Photo: Getty Images Cavan Images

If you’re part of the group that waits until the last minute to buy a costume and runs into that empty Party City wall, this slide is for you. After a while, having a costume determines if you take part in Halloween activities.

School Night

Photo: Getty Images Jupiterimages

More often than not, the Halloween festivities occur the night before the kiddos have to wake up again for school. Some parents might not even play that with their kids. Candy-fueled children on a school night? No thanks.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

Black Stars Who Shined at 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors

Black Stars Who Shined at 2026 American Black Film Festival Honors

From the Oscar nominees like Ryan Coogler to veterans like Vivica A. Fox, check out some of our faves who slayed on the ABFF 2026 red carpet! …
If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

If You Want a Bob Without the Commitment, These Wigs Will Get You Right

Like Beyoncé’s new bob? Want to try a bob without making the big chop; these bob wigs let you have the best of both worlds …
What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

What NYT Journalists Are Finding in The Epstein Files

The New York Times staff is poring through millions of pages of documents in the Epstein files. Now four NYT journalists are revealing what they know so far …
'We Were All Rooting For You' ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘We Were All Rooting For You’ ANTM Model Speaks Out!

‘ANTM’ contestants are breaking their silence after the release of Netflix’s new documentary. Let’s take a look at what they have to say! …
Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

Trump Locks Horns With Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over This Scary Environmental Disaster

After more than 240 million gallons of sewage spilled into the Potomac River, President Trump is calling out Gov. Wes Moore …
Why Lil Durk's Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

Why Lil Durk’s Music Will Play a Huge Role in His Murder-for-Hire Case

A federal judge has just issued his complicated ruling over song lyrics and Instagram DMs connected to Lil Durk’s upcoming trial …
Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Clifton Powell Crashes Out When Challenged To Be More Accountable To Black Women, Black Twitter Responds

Powell was a part of a round table discussion titled “Black Men Trust Black Women.” …
Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D'Angelo Days Before His Passing

Exclusive: Raphael Saadiq Opens Up About Being With D’Angelo Days Before His Passing

Oscar-nominee and legendary singer Raphael Saadiq sat down with The Root where he reflected o his deep friendship with the late D’Angelo …
Why Tyra Banks Was Always the <i>Real</i> Problem on 'ANTM'

Why Tyra Banks Was Always the Real Problem on ‘ANTM’

Thanks to Netflix’s new documentary, Tyra Banks’ time as host and producer of ‘America’s Next Top Model’ is getting looked at with fervent scrutiny! Let’s break down why …
Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

Celebs Pay Tribute to The Rev. Jesse Jackson

After the shocking news of Rev. Jesse Jackson’s passing, celebrities are sending their condolences to the Jackson family …
Photo: Getty Images Michael DeMocker

Black Mardi Gras Facts They Don’t Teach You in School

The annual Mardi Gras celebration has greater ties to Black history and culture than what meets the eye …
'ANTM's' Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update -- and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

‘ANTM’s’ Miss J Shares a Heartbreaking Health Update — and Infuriating Tyra Banks News

After years of teaching young aspiring models to werk the runway, “America’s Next Top Model” coach Miss J Alexander reveals a terrifying health scare in 2022 …
America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

America is Experiencing the Age of the Dominus: Our Moment of Truth

OPINION: We struggle to find the language appropriate to describe President Donald Trump’s second term. It’s all more nuanced than most folks think …
Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, One of the Last Civil Rights Era Legends, Dies at 84

Jesse Jackson, civil rights leader and protégé of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., died at home surrounded by family …
Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home's Shed

Wild New Development After Michigan Man Finds Remains of Two Murdered People in New Home’s Shed

A Michigan double homicide investigation went cold after a couple’s remains were found in a shed by a new homeowner in 2023— until now …
Florida Pastor TD McNutt Faces New Outrage After Teen Accuser's 'Coerced' Apology Video Sparks Concern

Florida Pastor TD McNutt Faces New Outrage After Teen Accuser’s ‘Coerced’ Apology Video Sparks Concern

After Florida Pastor TD McNutt was charged with cruelty toward a child, TikTok alleged he “forced” his teen accuser to apologize …
Don Lemon Breaks Silence Over That Viral Video of His Husband Not Playing About Him!

Don Lemon Breaks Silence Over That Viral Video of His Husband Not Playing About Him!

After Don Lemon went viral about his real life “bodyguard,” the former CNN anchor is opening up about how he knew Malone was “the one.” …
President Barack Obama Just Gave The Answer To One of The Biggest Conspiracy Theories Ever

President Barack Obama Just Gave The Answer To One of The Biggest Conspiracy Theories Ever

Wait, President Barack Obama just admitted that he believes in the existence of aliens? …
Photo: Getty Images Kevin Dietsch

Why Biden Deserves a Place On the Black Mount Rushmore But These Other Presidents …Hell No

When it was about the business of Black Americans, Biden handled far more of it than Presidents like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, etc …
Pastors On Whether The Black Church Is Ruining Women’s Chances at Marriage?

Pastors On Whether The Black Church Is Ruining Women’s Chances at Marriage?

As Black women carry leadership and spiritual responsibilities in the church, faith leaders explore whether the Black church supports their paths to marriage or creates challenges in navigating modern dating …