All Hallow's Eve

All Hallow's Eve, also known as Bonfire Night, takes place on October 31st. It is a celebration of the harvest close on Aerlon, and is also the opening festivities to All Hallow's Day which takes place the next day on November 1st.
All Hallow's Eve marks the end of the harvest and the hard labors of farmers, before the general quiet of winter. Every major settlement celebrates at sundown with a large bonfire, usually lit by the ruling lord or lady, with dancing, drinking, food, and games. It is considered a time of joy and celebration, both as a reward for the year's work which preceded it, and a final hurrah before the winter sets in. The event also marks the beginning of the period when the veil between the Prime Material Plane and the Ethereal Plane is thinnest, allowing spirits to travel more freely between worlds. As such, participants often dress up in costumes made to resemble spirits, ghouls, and other monsters; traditionally in order to "blend in" with the spirits of the dead.
The bonfire is the metaphorical center-point of the evening, as it protects the revelers from the spirits which often begin to appear after the sun sets. It is usually placed at the edge of the field where the festival takes place, closest to the wilds that surround the town (both to prevent the fire from accidentally spreading to buildings and as a sort of barrier). The ruling lord of the settlement will begin a procession from their keep to the bonfire as the sun sets, lighting it as the sun closes. It is said that, as long as the bonfire is lit in the name of the Raven Queen, its light and all offshoots of it will protect the living from the dead.
Once the bonfire is lit, folk will light torches from the flames and use these to light up the torches around the various stalls and festivities, the blessings of the larger bonfire extending to these smaller flames.
The festival has a hard stopping point at midnight, the Witching Hour. This is integral, because the spirits of the dead become powerful enough around this time that even the flames may not keep them at bay if a living person is within sight. Folk usually begin heading home well before this hour, carrying with them another torch of flame from the bonfire to light the sconces which light every doorway in every settlement in the Realm. With their doors and windows locked and the flames providing protection, the family can sleep soundly until sunrise the next day.