Crossword Genius

Henry and everyone working to hold minor annual festivity (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

halloween

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'hold minor annual festivity' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to time as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'henry and everyone working' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'henry' could be 'hal' (short for Henry) and 'hal' is found in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is present in the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for halloween that I've seen before include "October 31" , "Evening before All Saints' Day ( 9)" , "Light-in-pumpkin festival" , "Trick or treat time" , "Night of October thirty-first" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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