Hallow's End is an annual Halloween-inspired event that takes place during the latter half of October.
"Once again Hallow’s End approaches, promising tricks, treats, and triumphs for boys and ghouls (heh) all across Azeroth! This year, starting on October 18, you’ll find a special Hallow’s End Wickerman set up and ready to burn in Stormwind and near the Undercity within the Ruins of Lordaeron. Every four hours, Genn Greymane and Lady Sylvanas will arrive to light each faction’s respective Wickerman in celebration of Hallow’s End. Of course, it wouldn’t be Hallow’s End without a little mischief… "[1]
The day was once used for a festival near the end of harvest for humans of Lordaeron; This was coincidentally the same day that The Forsaken gained their independence from The Scourge.
Hallow's End marks the day the group of undead, who would later be known as the Forsaken, broke free of the Lich King's dominance and once again regained their free will. They celebrate this occasion by setting fire to a wickerman after a short speech from Sylvanas herself and smearing the ashes across their faces.
The attack begins with the horseman setting fires onto buildings within the town. Players must put out the fires using buckets of water.
The horseman comes into the village and must be fought. He is level 11 and non-elite.
When defeated, he leaves a pumpkin on the ground, which can be smashed for loot by every player.
Black cats
Being a cat during Hallow's End isn't so bad...
Black Cats are around cities... be careful though; if you kill one, you will gain "Bad Luck" for two hours. During this time, you will sense your impending doom... Has no effect on your stats, and is lost after death.
Trick or treat!
Looting the various Candy Buckets always results in some sort of award, but there's always the chance of being tricked as well!
A trick can:
Turn you into a bat, cat, frog, human ghost, kitten, Mini Diablo, skeleton, pirate, ninja, or snake for 30 seconds.
Give you a costume for 60 minutes. Some costumes disallow you from casting and/or attacking, but you can cancel it anytime by right-clicking its buff icon.
A treat can be:
Various non-buff masks for each sex of various races. (Buff-giving versions can be purchased from vendors - see below)
Free candy, including [Tricky Treat]s (now used as currency!)
Both [Pumpkin Bag] and [Traveler's Backpack] drop during the event, and can drop off identical mobs. The event sparks the beginning of the ability to find Pumpkin bags on humanoid mobs level 50 and higher outside of instances, however, almost any boss-type mob inside an instance has the chance to drop one. [Jack-o'-Lantern], an 18-slot bag, is added as a world drop as well.
Horde - granted to players who witness Sylvanas at the burning of the Wickerman outside the Undercity. Mastery is added only for players who are level 80 or higher. Have to be unmounted to receive buff.
[Decree of the Dark Lady]ωϖ—Increases mastery and Stamina for 1 hour. Counts as both a Battle and Guardian elixir. This effect persists through death.
Alliance - granted to players who witness Genn Greymane at the burning of the Wickerman outside Stormwind. Mastery is added only for players who are level 80 or higher. Have to be unmounted to receive buff.
[Greymane's Resolve]ωϖ—Increases mastery and Stamina for 1 hour. Counts as both a Battle and Guardian elixir. This effect persists through death.
Both factions - obtained by clicking on the Wickerman.
[Unburdened]ωϖ—You have cast your worries into the Wickerman's fire. Increases experience earned and reputation gained by 10%. Lasts 2 hrs.
Quests
Note:Make sure you are not in a raid when you attempt to do any do any of these quests.
Neutral
[1-80] Candy Bucket – available at each Candy Bucket located in the inn in almost every town. Note: Each is a different quest with a unique ID.
It has since been updated to reflect the large amount of changes that went into effect during the 2011 holiday, including changes wrought by the Cataclysm, such as the destruction of Southshore.