Reformation Day and Halloween: A festival of lights and values!

Reformation Day and Halloween: A festival of lights and values!

Today, October 31, 2025, there are two important occasions on the calendar: Reformation Day and Halloween. Margrit Wegner, pastor at Lübeck Cathedral, draws attention to the special connection between these two celebrations in a recent report. In her article she asks whether one can celebrate both at the same time - the spooky moments of Halloween and the valuable message of Reformation Day.

Reformation Day commemorates a historical turning point in Christianity: On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of the castle church in Wittenberg. This courageous act was a reaction to the common practices of the Roman Catholic Church at the time, particularly corruption and the sale of indulgences, which Luther harshly criticized. He emphasized the doctrine of justification by grace alone and thus laid the foundation for the Protestant Reformation.

An opportunity for reflection

Wegner emphasizes that Reformation Day not only celebrates a historical event, but also provides an opportunity to reflect on hope, trust and the values ​​of faith. “Martin Luther spoke about the freedom of a Christian and overcoming fears over 500 years ago,” said the pastor. She emphasizes that trust in God, grace and love are more essential than any fear that plagues us.

For many people, Halloween is an occasion for fun and dressing up. But Wegner suggests that this day can also be used in its deepest sense to ask questions and stand together in the light of faith. In the evening, children will parade through the cathedral with flashlights and in imaginative costumes, bringing a very special light into the darkness.

The roots of Halloween

Interestingly, Halloween – or All Hallows’ Eve as it was originally called – comes from pagan Celtic traditions associated with the Lord of Death, Samhain. Christians have tried to replace these customs with the feast of All Saints on November 1st, which celebrates the lives of holy Christians. Reformation Day falls in the middle of these traditional celebrations, as the “Allhallowtide” covers the days from October 31st to November 2nd.

Precisely because of the proximity, Luther deliberately chose October 31st to ensure that many people saw his message - a strategy that artists and makers definitely use again on Halloween today.

The ecumenical changes and the recognition of Reformation Day by various religious communities show that the desire for a common basis in faith still exists today, even if the expression of this faith is different. Reformation Day is only recognized as a public holiday in some German federal states, while the Roman Catholic Church has only recently gradually started to do so with ecumenical events.

Overall, today is an invitation not only to celebrate the ghosts and ghosts of the past, but also to recognize the luminous moments of faith that bring us together into a better community. A real reason to celebrate, whether it's the horror or the freedom that faith gives us - or maybe even a combination of both!