How Many Days Until
All Saints' Day?
All Saints' Day 2025 will be on Saturday, November 1, 2025.
About All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day, the Feast of All Saints, or Hallowmas, is a Christian solemnity celebrated in honor of all the saints of the church, whether known or unknown. The day is observed on November 1 by the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Methodist Church, and other Christian denominations.
History & Origins
The origin of All Saints' Day dates back to at least the 4th century, though the exact origins remain uncertain. Pope Gregory III (731-741) dedicated an oratory in St. Peter's Basilica to all saints and fixed the anniversary as November 1. Later, in the 9th century, Pope Gregory IV officially declared November 1 as the day to honor all saints.
The timing of All Saints' Day may have been influenced by Celtic harvest festivals, particularly the Gaelic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter. When Christianity spread throughout Europe, the church often incorporated existing pagan festivals, giving them Christian significance.
The vigil of this feast, October 31, is commonly known as Halloween (or "All Hallows' Eve"), while November 2 is observed as All Souls' Day, creating a three-day observance known as Allhallowtide, dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and the faithful departed.
Early Observances
Christians began honoring martyrs on the anniversary of their deaths. As persecutions increased, churches established a common feast day for all martyrs.
Pantheon Dedication
Pope Boniface IV dedicated the Pantheon in Rome to the Virgin Mary and all martyrs, establishing an anniversary feast.
November 1 Established
Pope Gregory III dedicated a chapel in St. Peter's Basilica to all saints and fixed the anniversary as November 1.
Universal Observance
Pope Gregory IV extended the celebration of All Saints to the universal Church and set its observance on November 1.
Traditions & Observances
Church Services
Special liturgies and Masses are held to honor the saints and martyrs.
Grave Visitations
Families visit and decorate the graves of deceased loved ones with flowers and candles.
Candle Lighting
Candles are lit to symbolize the light of the saints and to remember the deceased.
Prayer Vigils
Special prayers are offered in honor of the saints and for the souls of the faithful departed.
Icon Veneration
In Orthodox traditions, icons of saints are displayed and venerated during services.
Special Foods
Various cultures prepare special breads, pastries, and meals associated with the holiday.
Regional Celebrations
Mexico & Latin America
All Saints' Day is part of the Dรญa de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations. Families create altars called "ofrendas" with photos of deceased loved ones, marigolds, candles, and favorite foods of the departed.
Poland
The day is known as "Wszystkich ลwiฤtych" and is a national holiday. People visit cemeteries to light candles, lay flowers on graves, and pray for deceased family members.
Philippines
Known as "Undas" or "Todos los Santos," it's a major celebration when families gather at cemeteries, sometimes for days, bringing food and music to celebrate the lives of departed loved ones.
Spain
"Dรญa de Todos los Santos" is a public holiday when families gather at cemeteries to honor deceased relatives. In Catalonia, people celebrate with castaรฑada (eating chestnuts, sweet potatoes, and panellets).
Italy
Italians celebrate "Ognissanti" with church services and cemetery visits. Traditional foods include "fave dei morti" (beans of the dead) cookies and "pane dei morti" (bread of the dead).
France
"La Toussaint" is a public holiday when chrysanthemums are placed on graves. The flower is so strongly associated with the day that it is rarely used for other occasions in France.
Religious Significance
All Saints' Day celebrates the belief that there is a spiritual connection between those in heaven and on earth. The day recognizes the exemplary lives of the saints who are believed to be in heaven and serves as an inspiration for the faithful to strive for a holy life.
In Catholic tradition, All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation, meaning that believers are obligated to attend Mass. The liturgical color for the day is white, symbolizing purity, joy, and the light of Christ.
The Bible verses often associated with All Saints' Day include Revelation 7:9-17, which speaks of "a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb."
"For the saints are the living stones out of which God builds his holy temple; they are the holy and royal priesthood who offer spiritual sacrifice and proclaim the mighty acts of him who called them out of darkness into his marvelous light." โ Liturgical Prayer for All Saints' Day
Relationship to Halloween and All Souls' Day
Halloween (October 31)
Originally "All Hallows' Eve," the night before All Saints' Day became associated with various customs and traditions, including costumes and trick-or-treating, that have evolved into the modern celebration of Halloween.
All Saints' Day (November 1)
A day to honor all saints, known and unknown, focusing on those who have attained heaven.
All Souls' Day (November 2)
A day dedicated to prayer for all the souls of the faithful departed, especially those in purgatory according to Catholic belief. It completes the triduum of Allhallowtide.