November starts with a bit of a hangover. Not necessarily the literal kind—though after all those Halloween parties, who knows—but a cultural one. We spend the last night of October obsessing over ghosts, ghouls, and cheap polyester costumes. Then, the sun comes up on November 1st, and the vibe shifts. Hard.
If you’ve ever looked at your calendar and wondered what holiday is on November 1st, the answer isn't just one thing. It’s a massive, multi-layered collision of religion, history, and seasonal change. For most of the Western world, it is All Saints’ Day. But call it what you want: Hallowmas, All Hallows' Day, or the Feast of All Saints.
It’s the "holy" counterpart to the "hallowed" eve that came before it.
Honestly, the transition is kinda jarring. You go from eating fun-sized Snickers in a Batman mask to a day that, for millions of people, is actually quite solemn and significant. It isn’t just a "day off" in some countries; it’s a deep-rooted tradition that has survived for over a thousand years.
The Identity Crisis of November 1st
Most people think of November 1st as the day you finally throw out the rotting pumpkins. But if you’re in Italy, Spain, or the Philippines, this is a major public holiday. It’s a day for the "heavy hitters" of the spiritual world.
While Halloween (All Hallows' Eve) focuses on the spooky and the macabre, All Saints' Day focuses on, well, the saints. But here is the nuance: it isn't just for the famous ones like St. Francis or St. Jude. The theology behind it is basically a "catch-all" for every person who made it to heaven but didn't get their own specific feast day on the calendar. It’s the backup plan for the nameless virtuous.
The timing wasn't always in November. Back in the early days of the Church, they celebrated this in May. It wasn't until Pope Gregory III in the 8th century dedicated a chapel in St. Peter’s Rome to "all the saints" on November 1st that the date stuck. Some historians argue this was a strategic move to "baptize" the Pagan festival of Samhain, which happened around the same time. It’s a classic move: if you can't beat the bonfire-loving Celts, just give them a Christian reason to keep the lights on.
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It’s Not Just All Saints’ Day
You can’t talk about what holiday is on November 1st without mentioning the Day of the Dead, or Día de los Muertos. Now, technically, the "big" day for this is November 2nd (All Souls' Day), but the celebration is a multi-day event that kicks off in earnest on the first.
In Mexico and throughout Latin America, November 1st is often referred to as Día de los Inocentes (Day of the Innocents) or Día de los Angelitos (Day of the Little Angels). This day is specifically dedicated to children who have passed away.
It’s beautiful. Truly.
Families build ofrendas—altars—in their homes. They aren't meant to be worshiped; they're invitations. You’ll see bright orange marigolds (cempasúchil) everywhere because the scent is believed to lead the souls back home. You see sugar skulls, favorite toys, and pan de muerto. It’s a vibrant, colorful defiance of grief. Instead of mourning, people feast. They tell jokes. They remember the personality of the person, not just the fact that they're gone.
The Pagan Roots and Samhain
Before the Church moved in, November 1st marked the beginning of the dark half of the year for the Celts. This was Samhain.
Think about the world 2,000 years ago. No electricity. No grocery stores. November 1st was the literal threshold of winter. The harvest was done. The cattle were brought down from the summer pastures. It was a time of "liminality"—a fancy word for being between two states. They believed the "veil" between our world and the spirit world was at its thinnest.
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If you feel a little creeped out on the morning of November 1st, that’s just the ancient Samhain residue. It was a day for divination and preparing for the cold months ahead. It was about survival.
Global Traditions: How the World Shows Up
If you’re traveling on November 1st, your experience will vary wildly depending on where you land. In many European countries, the day is quiet.
- In France, it’s La Toussaint. Families go to cemeteries to clean the graves of their loved ones and leave pots of chrysanthemums. Don't ever bring chrysanthemums to a dinner party in France; they are strictly for the dead.
- In the Philippines, they call it Undas. It’s almost like a giant family reunion in the cemetery. People camp out by the graves, play music, eat together, and pray. It’s loud, crowded, and deeply communal.
- In Guatemala, they fly massive, colorful kites. The "Sumpango Kite Festival" is a sight to behold. These kites act as a bridge to the heavens, carrying messages to the ancestors. Some of them are 40 feet wide.
It’s fascinating how the same date on the calendar can trigger such different behaviors. Some people are kneeling in silent cathedrals, while others are flying kites or eating sugar-dusted bread.
Why We Still Care About November 1st
In a modern, digital world, why does a medieval religious holiday still trend on Google?
Maybe because we need a moment of transition. Halloween is an adrenaline spike. It’s sugar and costumes and performative fear. November 1st is the exhale. It’s the day we acknowledge that winter is coming (literally and metaphorically) and that we have a connection to those who came before us.
Whether you’re religious or not, there’s something grounding about the "Day of the Saints." It’s a reminder of human potential. Saints, in the original sense, were just people who lived with extraordinary purpose. In a world that feels pretty chaotic, a day dedicated to "the good guys" isn't the worst idea.
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What Most People Get Wrong
People often confuse All Saints' Day (Nov 1) with All Souls' Day (Nov 2).
Here’s the breakdown: November 1st is for the "winners"—the saints who are already "there." November 2nd is for everyone else—the souls who might still be in the waiting room (purgatory, in Catholic theology).
In the U.S., we’ve basically smashed them all together into a "post-Halloween" blur. We don't really do the cemetery visits or the kite flying. For many Americans, November 1st is simply the "National Day of Cheap Candy," where you hit up Target or CVS to buy the leftover Snickers at 50% off. It’s a different kind of ritual, I guess.
Navigating the Holiday
If you’re trying to plan your schedule, keep in mind that in many parts of the world—particularly Europe and Latin America—banks and government offices will be closed. It’s a "Red Letter Day."
If you are in the U.S., it's a regular work day for most, but for Catholic schools and some businesses, it remains an important liturgical feast. If you have coworkers from Poland, Italy, or Mexico, don't be surprised if they take the day off.
Actionable Steps for November 1st
Instead of just letting the day pass by in a sugar-crash haze, here’s how you can actually engage with the holiday:
- Audit your "Ancestry": Use the day to look back. If you aren't into the religious aspect, use it as a "family history" day. Call an older relative. Ask about a great-grandparent you never met.
- The Flower Rule: If you are in Europe, remember the chrysanthemum rule. Only buy them for graves. If you want to honor the tradition, visit a local historic cemetery. It’s surprisingly peaceful.
- Support Local Bakers: Many cultures have specific breads for this week. Look for Pan de Muerto in Mexican bakeries or Allerheiligenstriezel (a braided yeast bread) if you have a German bakery nearby.
- Clean the Slate: Historically, this was a day to prepare for winter. Use it to "winterize" your own life—check your car's tires, clean out the gutters, or just organize your closet.
The question of what holiday is on November 1st usually starts as a quick search for information, but it ends with a realization that we’re all part of a long, long chain of history. It's a day that asks us to look up from our phones and acknowledge the people—famous or forgotten—who paved the way for us to be here.
Take a breath. The chaos of October is over. November is here.