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Halloween is a pretty widespread festival around the world. From its Celtic origins through to the modern twists of more recent traditions, this originally Pagan celebration has seen a lot of changes. And today, Halloween is pretty different across the globe!
So, I asked travel bloggers from around the world how their countries celebrate Halloween. From a spooky party in Dracula’s own castle, to pumpkin festivals in Germany, to Dia de Muertos in Mexico… there are so many fascinating Halloween traditions all over the world. Happy Halloween!
Halloween’s Celtic Origins in the UK
Samhuinn in Scotland
Recommended by: Skye, Skye Travels
Did you know that Halloween actually has its roots in Scotland? It dates back to an ancient Celtic pagan tradition called Samhuinn (pronounced saw-win) which celebrated the transition from summer to winter. The day was associated with the spiritual world and had many of the customs which are now incorporated in our modern-day Halloween.
Samhuinn is still celebrated to this day in Scotland. In Edinburgh, the Beltane Fire Society puts on a large show for locals and tourists to enjoy. It’s usually held on top of Calton Hill in Edinburgh and involves lots of singing and dancing, culminating in a large bonfire.
Samhain in Ireland
Recommended by: Faith, XYU and Beyond
Halloween celebrations in Ireland date back to the Celts from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France. For the Celts, the New Year began on November 1st, so on the day before, they celebrated All Hallows Eve. This was the day that marked the end of summer and a return to winter. It was also a “thin” day, when the boundaries between the world of the living and the dead became blurred.
There are Samhain Festivals all over Ireland from Tara to Loughcrew. In the Boyne Valley, there are two hills associated with Samhain: Tlachtga and Tara. On the eve of Samhain, Tlachtga was the location of the Great Fire Festival which still takes place.
The world’s best Halloween party takes place in the ancient walled city of Londonderry. Derry’s walls are illuminated with lights, magicians, dragons, vampires and all kinds of creatures. The Halloween celebrations end with a magnificent firework display over the River Foyle.
Halloween in Northern Ireland
Recommended by: Allan, It’s Sometimes Sunny in Bangor
I grew up in the town of Bangor in Northern Ireland. The area shares the same Celtic Samhain roots as the rest of Ireland, so many traditions are similar. However, Halloween in Northern Ireland has been somewhat tainted by the reality of actual horrors that took place during times of conflict in the country. For example, fireworks are banned in Northern Ireland without a license, as they could be confused with gunfire or bombs and were often used as weapons.
We would always go “Halloween Rhyming” door-to-door instead of Trick-or-Treating. The phrase “Trick-or-Treat” was tainted after being used in a horrific gun crime.
Instead, our Halloweens were all about dressing up in Halloween masks and sheets or bin bags as costumes. We would carve lanterns out of turnips before pumpkins became available. And we’d play with sparklers, Bengal matches, and indoor fireworks instead of throwing firework displays.
Halloween Around the World
Transylvania, Romania
Recommended by: Allison, Sofia Adventures
If you’re looking for a unique place to celebrate Halloween, don’t overlook Transylvania, Romania! After all, this was the birthplace of Vlad the Impaler, the real-life inspiration for Dracula.
Transylvania has embraced its place in the horror genre and lives it proudly and happily every Halloween, with lots of fun events. You can visit Vlad’s birthplace in the colourful medieval town of Sighisoara, or drink “Dracula blood” tuica shots and explore a spooky exhibit in the Hotel Castel Dracula in Piatra Fantanele. You can even join the party at Bran Castle (aka “Dracula’s Castle) on Halloween night!
Oaxaca, Mexico
Recommended by: Shelley, Travel Mexico Solo
There’s something special about the state of Oaxaca – especially during Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead). This festive Mexican holiday coincides with Halloween (31st October to 2nd November), but the two holidays aren’t related.
Although much of Mexico celebrates Day of the Dead, the holiday is known for being especially lively in Oaxaca. The whole city (and country) becomes one big party! Unlike a sombre funerary-style ritual, Mexico’s Day of the Dead is a celebration. You’ll see elaborate ofrendas (altars) decorated with marigold flowers, sugar skullsm and photos of the deceased. Comparasa (parades) led by costumed marching bands guide everyone to the town’s cemeteries to welcome back loved ones.
Sardinia, Italy
Recommended by: Claudia, Strictly Sardinia
Sardinia has its very own Halloween celebrations, and the most popular one by far is Su Prugadoriu. This takes place in Seui, a small village in the mountains of Barbagia. The name means Purgatory, referring to the commemoration of all the souls that got stuck on their way to heaven.
Celebrations last three full days, starting on 30th October each year. Attending is completely free, and easy to do as a day trip from various parts of Sardinia. During the celebrations, you can visit places of historical and cultural interest, enjoy local traditions such as dances, arts and crafts, observe ancient rituals. And, of course, you can gorge on delicious food, such as the local culurgiones (Sardinia’s version of ravioli).
Germany
Recommended by: Diana, Travels in Poland
Halloween has been around in Germany for less than a quarter of a century, and it is slowly becoming more popular among the younger generations. Costumes can be found on sale several weeks before Halloween and neighbourhood children go from door to door. However, it’s still less commonly celebrated than in the US. Major German cities tend to do more Halloween decorating and trick-or-treating.
There are also many pumpkin festivals in Germany, where pumpkin carving and horse rides are common events for families. In fact, the world’s largest pumpkin festival is in Ludwigsburg in southern Germany. Thousands of people visit for several weeks until December.
The Netherlands
Recommended by: Cosette, KarsTravels
I’m from Utrecht in the Netherlands, where Halloween isn’t traditionally celebrated. Growing up, I only knew Halloween from American movies. But in the last decade or so, more and more activities are being organised: Haunted houses arise in October, theme parks put up decorations, and more Halloween events are being organised at places like Ripley’s Believe It or Not! and Walibi Flevoland.
Originally kids go door to door on St. Maarten on 11th November in the Utrecht area. This still happens every year in our neighbourhood. Kids sing a song in exchange for candy or a mandarin.
Paris, France
Recommended by: Elisa, World in Paris
If you’re looking to celebrate an American-style Halloween in France, you might be disappointed. Halloween is not a French tradition. However, Paris is a bit different because the city welcomes so many tourists. Many attractions, such as the Grévin Museum (the wax museum), host themed events.
The best chance to celebrate an American-style Halloween in France is to go to Disneyland, one of the best day trips from Paris. From late September to the beginning of November, the park hosts a special, kid-friendly Halloween program with costumes, sweets, and special shows.
Copenhagen, Denmark
Recommended by: Derek and Mike, Everything Copenhagen
In Copenhagen’s famous amusement park, Tivoli Gardens, you’ll find Halloween celebrations throughout the month of October. Tivoli Halloween features elaborate decorations and a spooky Halloween theme. They even hold trick-or-treating for children on the last Saturday of the month.
Danes also celebrate Fastelavn, which is a Scandinavian version of a pre-Lent Carnival. In recent years it’s become more of a Halloween-like holiday.
Barcelona, Spain
Recommended by: Lauren, The Expat Chronicle
Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead/All Saints Day) is the favoured holiday over Halloween in Barcelona. It’s celebrated to give tribute and express love to those family members that have died. Flowers are placed at the grave sights of these deceased and a special meal is usually prepared for the family to enjoy afterwards. It is a holiday that is celebrated all throughout Spain and Latin/Central America.
Halloween, by comparison, is viewed as a very American tradition. But the Spanish culture is definitely not one to turn down any excuse for a party! the absolute biggest and best way to celebrate Halloween in Barcelona is by spending a day (or a weekend) at Port Aventura World. This popular theme park near Tarragona transforms into a Halloween Scarefest from mid-September through November.
While trick-or-treating isn’t traditionally popular in Spain, there’s a huge event held at Turo Parc. Thousands of children of all cultures and ethnicities gather in their scariest costumes to Trick or Treat at local stores. It started as a small get-together between friends, but has become a highly anticipated event of the season!
Special Halloween Events in the USA
Although the festival didn’t originate there, Halloween as we know it today owes a lot to the USA. Thanks to movies and the media, the rest of the world knows a lot about how the US celebrates. But there are still some really unique Halloween celebrations across the USA…
Salem, Massachusetts
Recommended by: Amy, New England With Love
Arguably, the best place to spend Halloween in the USA (if not the whole world), is Salem in Massachusetts, New England. This town is infamous for the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s, during which 25 people were executed for being “witches”.
Visiting Salem, MA, one can delve deeply into this history and lore, but Salem has also embraced the darkness of its past and the Salem Witch Trials. From modern-day witches with magical shops, to eerie ghost tours of the town, to just wandering around to explore the historic buildings and sites, there is much to do in Salem year-round. But around Halloween, this town truly comes alive.
The Haunted Happenings is a calendar of non-stop events that take place in Salem around Halloween. One of the most iconic is the annual Halloween Ball that is held at the historic Hawthorne Hotel.
There’s also the Official Salem Witches Halloween Ball, also held at the Hawthorne. This is more than just a wild party. There’s all kinds of witchy activity going on to make your Halloween experience truly enchanting.
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Recommended by: Stefan and Sebastien, Nomadic Boys gay travel blog
We are Stefan and Sebastien, a gay Greek/French couple based in London, UK. We love travelling to Florida, particularly during Halloween, because these guys go ALL OUT for it! Our favourite Halloween destination is hands down the super gay city of Fort Lauderdale, which hosts the annual “Wicked Manors” Halloween gay street party every year.
Fort Lauderdale has grown to become one of the gayest cities in the US, with a large LGBTQ community, particularly in and around Wilton Manors in Broward County. This area has a large concentration of gay bars, clubs, shops and more.
Wilton Manors particularly comes alive every time there is a big festival or celebration such as Pride. The best is on 31st October for Halloween when the entire area becomes one large colourful street party called “Wicked Manors.” There are some pretty spectacular gay Halloween costumes – from Marvel superheroes to scantily clad ‘Adam and Steves’…
New York City, New York
Recommended by: Lyndsay, The Purposely Lost
Halloween in New York City is a totally different experience than anywhere else in the United States. Since most of the City doesn’t have traditional neighbourhoods, going from house to house trick-or-treating is not how it works here. Instead, children dress up and go from storefront to storefront in search of their candy.
Another fall festival New York City is famous for is the NYC Village Halloween Parade. Starting in Greenwich Village at 6:30 p.m. on Halloween night, anyone can show up and join the parade – as long as you are dressed in costume. And because this is New York, people go all out on their costumes! If you happen to be in New York City on Halloween, you absolutely can’t miss this parade.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Recommended by: Derek and Mike, Robe Trotting
Eastern State Penitentiary is one of the most fascinating and spooky Philadelphia historical sites. It’s a massive abandoned prison that takes up one square block in the Fairmount neighbourhood. The prison was operational from 1829-1971 and held famous criminals like American mobster, Al Capone.
The former prison is also one of the most haunted places in the United States. During the Halloween season, it’s transformed into a chilling haunted attraction. Actors fill the cell blocks and the prison yard treating guests to a theatrical scare during the seasonal “Terror Behind the Walls” event. This historic, haunted and festive destination is a place you just have to experience during the American Halloween season.
How does your country celebrate Halloween? Scroll down to share other Halloween festivals from around the world.
