What is Beggars’ Night and why has the Des Moines custom been postponed?

BEGGARS' Night is a unique Halloween tradition that has been observed in Des Moines for nearly a century.

Here's everything you need to know about the spooky celebration and why it has been postponed in 2024.

Beggars' Night is primarily celebrated in Des Moines, Iowa — as well as some surrounding communities.

It is a unique tradition that occurs on October 30th, the night before Halloween.

What is Beggars' Night?

The custom involves children going door-to-door to collect candy, but with a distinctive twist — the kids must tell jokes or riddles to homeowners before receiving their treats.

For example, a child might ring the doorbell and say "Trick or treat?" followed by a joke like: "What did the priest say when the church caught on fire?... Holy smoke!"

This playful interaction encourages youngsters to get to know their neighbors in a safe setting while having a lot of fun.

History

The origins of Beggars' Night can be traced back to concerns about safety and vandalism associated with traditional Halloween celebrations.

Established in 1938, it was intended to provide a safer alternative for young trick-or-treaters by moving the festivities to a night when fewer unsupervised children would be out and about.

Over the years it has become a cherished local tradition, setting Des Moines apart from most of the United States, where Halloween is typically celebrated on October 31st.

While many cities across the country celebrate Halloween with various events and activities — haunted houses, costume parties and parades — Beggars' Night's focus on jokes and riddles fosters a unique sense of camaraderie among participants.

Postponement of Beggars' Night 2024

Beggars' Night 2024 has been postponed in Des Moines and several surrounding communities including Altoona, Urbandale and Waukee.

The primary reason for this postponement is the forecast of potential severe storms on the originally scheduled date.

City officials made the decision to prioritize the safety of children and families participating in the event.

As a result, Des Moines and at least 13 other metro cities have rescheduled Beggars' Night to Thursday, October 31st.

According to Des Moines Assistant City Manager Jen Schulte, it's the first time in recent memory that Beggars' Night has been moved.