Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains celebrate the festival of lights, Diwali (October 30-November 3). This joyous holiday is often marked by gifts of dried fruit and nuts, and fireworks and other lights.

Protestants observe Reformation Sunday (October 30), commemorating Martin Luther’s nailing his ninety-five theses to a church door in Wittenberg, Germany in 1517.

Halloween, All Hallows Eve (October 31), is followed by All Saints Day (November 1), when Christians honor saints and martyrs. November 2 is All Souls Day, when some Christians pray for loved ones who have died. In Mexico, Catholics observe the Day of the Dead (November 1-2).