10 Places Around The World That Celebrate Halloween The Most

United States of America

Halloween in the United States is a vibrant and exuberant celebration that captures the imagination of people of all ages. On October 31st, communities come alive with spooky decorations, creative costumes, and festive activities.

In neighbourhoods across the country, expect to see houses adorned with intricate and often eerie decorations.

Carved pumpkins with intricate designs (jack-o'-lanterns) grace doorsteps, while cobwebs, skeletons, and ghosts create a chilling ambience. Many people go all out, transforming their homes into haunted houses to thrill and entertain trick-or-treaters.

Costume creativity knows no bounds in the USA, as individuals don a whole array of spooky outfits.

Children eagerly participate in trick-or-treating, going door-to-door to collect sweets and treats from neighbours who've prepared well for the extravaganza.

Pumpkin carving contests and apple-bobbing games are popular activities. Haunted attractions, such as haunted houses and corn mazes, provide spine-tingling experiences for those seeking a thrilling scare.

Halloween parties are a staple, catering to a diverse range of age groups. Costume parties feature creative outfits, while themed decorations and treats add to the festive atmosphere.

Many theme parks, such as Universal Studios and Disneyland, transform into Halloween wonderlands. They offer thrilling rides and spooky entertainment for people of all ages to embrace the thrill of the spooky season.

Canada

Halloween is a very popular holiday in Toronto, Canada, with many special events and festivities dedicated to it.

In the weeks leading up to Halloween, many homes and businesses around Toronto decorate inside and outside with pumpkins, jack-o'-lanterns, fake skeletons and gravestones, orange and black streamers and garlands, and chrysanthemum (mums) flowers, which are popular at this time of year.

Some houses and stores have minimal displays, while others go "all out"- it's quite a sight to see the different festive and spooky displays that people have created.

Throughout October, several special Halloween events happen around the city. Teenagers and adults should consider visiting the Halloween Haunt at Canada's Wonderland, an amusement park located in the northern part of the Greater Toronto Area.

The Halloween Haunt has many scary displays, and people in costumes deliberately scare you as you journey through the park.

Camp Snoopy is a more playful place to visit on Halloween for children under 13. It's a whole lot less scary than the Halloween Haunt!

Celebrate Halloween in Toronto's very own castle

Head to Casa Loma, Toronto's 100-year-old castle, for its special Legends of Horror event, held every Halloween. It's a journey through the castle's secret tunnels, 'haunted' parts, and the gardens.

Halloween Night of Lights is also a Toronto tradition. It features a light display of pumpkins and other spooky sights lit by thousands of LED lights. There are tons of opportunities for instagrammable moments here.

On Halloween night, children dress in costumes and go trick-or-treating. Many bars and nightclubs around town also host special adult-only Halloween parties.

You can find costume parties with extremely elaborate outfits, as well as low-key, Halloween-themed parties.

Scotiabank Theatre in the Entertainment District often screens scary films during the Halloween season, and you can also sign up for a Toronto city haunted walk; there are a few different tours, and they all take place in the city's most historic parts.

You can also take the train down to Niagara Falls, which is famous for its haunted houses.

To get around Toronto quickly at Halloween, consider staying near Union Station, which gives you direct access to all the subway lines.

United Kingdom

Halloween in the United Kingdom is a very popular occasion, celebrated on October 31st.

Drawing inspiration from traditional Celtic roots and modern American influences, the UK's Halloween celebrations offer a unique blend of spooky traditions and vibrant festivities.

Children and adults join in by dressing up in elaborate costumes, from classic monsters to scary film icons.

Trick-or-treating in the UK is a common tradition at Halloween, with children going door-to-door in their neighbourhoods, dressed in costume, and asking for treats, usually sweets or, if no sweets are available, a few coins. Many homes are adorned with spooky decorations, such as carved pumpkins and eerie ornaments.

Public establishments often host Halloween-themed events, such as haunted houses, costume parties, and themed concerts.

In London, haunted ghost tours and places like the London Bridge Experience and the London Dungeons go all out to spread fear to anyone who dares enter!

In recent years, themed food and drinks have also gained popularity, with bakeries and cafes offering special treats, such as "eyeball" cupcakes and "witches' brew" cocktails.

Historically, the United Kingdom's ancient festival, "Samhain," marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. It's also called "All Hallows' Eve" and eventually Halloween.

The festival included lighting bonfires and wearing costumes to ward off evil spirits. Modern Halloween celebrations in the UK often incorporate elements of this ancient festival, adding depth to the cultural experience.

While Halloween is not a public holiday in the UK, it has become a significant, lively event that fosters community and creativity as people come together to revel in the spooky spirit.

Whether trick-or-treating, costume parties, or simply enjoying the season's ambience, Halloween in the United Kingdom is a festive and thrilling occasion for people of all ages.

Ireland

The origins of Halloween date back to ancient Celtic heritage, specifically to the festival of Samhain. This mystical celebration is deeply rooted in history, and its influence continues to shape modern Irish Halloween festivities.

In Ireland, Halloween blends ancient and contemporary traditions, especially in rural areas.

Samhain marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead is believed to be the thinnest.

Many Irish communities still light bonfires to honour this connection, casting an otherworldly glow across the countryside.

Look out for grotesque faces illuminated with candles carved into pumpkins, harkening back to the original jack-o'-lanterns, once carved from turnips.

Often inspired by Irish folklore and mythology, costumes pay homage to creatures such as banshees, fairies, and púca. Children in these costumes might go "guising," visiting homes to sing songs or recite poems in exchange for treats.

Events to Celebrate Halloween in Ireland

One of Ireland's biggest Halloween celebrations is the Púca Festival, which celebrates Samhain and the shape-shifting púcas said to roam the land.

While less prevalent than in other countries, trick-or-treating has gained popularity in urban areas. Dublin, for example, hosts festive events and costume parties, complete with haunted houses and themed entertainment.

Step aboard the Dublin Gravedigger Ghost Bus Tour or join a Haunted History Walking Tour to hear about the ghosts and ghouls who roam the city.

Irish pubs embrace the spooky spirit with themed decorations, and traditional Irish music may have a haunting twist during this time.

In recent years, modern Halloween trends from the USA have been integrated into Irish celebrations, with decorations, parties, and themed foods becoming more prominent. Yet, the heart of Irish Halloween remains deeply rooted in its connection to ancient folklore and the mysticism of Samhain.

France

Paris, France, is magical year-round, but at Halloween, the city of light transforms into the city of fright with a uniquely French twist! 

Many parts of France don’t celebrate Halloween, despite it being an old French Celtic Pagan celebration. However, Paris is one notable exception.

The first stop on our ghoul-tasting tour is Disneyland Paris. Yes, Mickey and his friends get a Halloween makeover, and it’s a spectacle you won't want to miss. Expect spooky shows, creepy characters, and a grand Halloween parade that the kids will love.

And Paris offers more than Disneyland for a Halloween adventure. Just a stone’s throw away from the city, you’ll find Parc Astérix, a theme park that comes alive with Halloween spirit. 

Here, you’ll encounter beloved cartoon characters Asterix and Obelix, who suddenly find themselves in the company of eerie gargoyles and terrifying Templar knights. “Fear in the Park” is a Halloween event that runs from the end of September to November 5th.

You’ll also find an array of decorated shops and houses in Paris. The trendy Marais district becomes a Halloween hub, with carved pumpkins adorning shop windows and cobwebs draped over the historic buildings.

France's spooky superstitions

But what about local superstitions? Well, they say that on Halloween night, the ghost of Marie Antoinette roams the halls of the Palace of Versailles. And if you sing on Halloween, it will cause bad weather. Who knew?

Let's not forget the famous Père Lachaise cemetery. At Halloween, the spirits of famous personalities, such as Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison, are believed to come to life here.

So, there you have it – a whirlwind tour of Halloween in Paris! It’s a vibrant, fun, slightly creepy celebration that immerses you in a unique fusion of American tradition and French flair.

Romania

For genuinely hardcore Halloween travellers, there's no place quite as iconic as Transylvania.

While witches may have claimed Salem, Massachusetts, travellers to Transylvania in central Romania will be rewarded with the chance to take in the culture, architecture, and folklore that gave rise to modern vampire and werewolf mythology. 

When visiting Transylvania for Halloween, be prepared for two different sides of the city. One is curated for tourists; the other is more authentic, focusing on the myth and folklore woven into central Romania's history. Which one is right for you will depend on your travel style.

Halloween visitors ready to explore nightlife and extravagant revelry should consider flying to Bucharest, Romania, then transferring to Brasov (about 90 minutes away) a few days before Halloween.

Each Halloween night, young and adventurous travellers gather on the grounds of Brasov's Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle) for a Halloween party to remember! 

Brasov's over-the-top Halloween celebration might not suit travellers who prefer slow, culturally authentic travel.

Instead, take the time to explore more of Romania, like Bistriţa, Cluj-Napoca, Sibiu, and Sighişoara.

Here, you can discover autumn harvest festivals, smaller Halloween celebrations, and the myth and folklore that make Romania's interior region a year-round treat for Halloween lovers.

Lithuania

Uzupis is a small, charming neighbourhood in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania. There is much more than meets the eye here – especially during Halloween. 

Once considered a rundown and seedy area, Uzupis has emerged as a hub for artists, bohemians, and free thinkers. Dubbed the “Republic of Uzupis,” the neighbourhood is home to plenty of quirky galleries, cafes, and art studios. When visiting Vilnius, you must explore this corner of the city. 

The neighbourhood is well known for its unique and quirky traditions, such as the annual Uzupis Day celebration. During this time, residents of the Republic declare their independence and celebrate their diversity. Or the yearly Halloween, when displays of carved jack-o’-lanterns can be seen everywhere.

One of the most interesting facts about Lithuania is that it remained a predominantly pagan nation for much longer than other parts of Europe. It comes as no surprise, then, that it celebrates Halloween with such flair.

Every year, the river banks light up with an array of glowing jack-o’-lanterns, creating a spooky yet inviting ambience. This tradition has become a beloved annual event in the capital city, uniting the community.

If you walk through Užupis at night near Halloween, the streets will be alive with energy and glowing pumpkins.

The neighbourhood also hosts various activities each year, like pumpkin carving events, face painting, and free art workshops. Visitors are welcome and encouraged to join in on the festivities.

If you are ever in Eastern Europe at Halloween, be sure to visit Lithuania!

Spain

Spain might not be the first place you think of for celebrating Halloween, but it hides a spooky secret.

If you plan to spend Halloween in Spain, Soportujar is the place to be. 

This small village is renowned for its superstitions, earning it the nickname "the witches' village."

Soportujar is in the Alpujarra region. It is a collection of small villages near the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Granada, Southern Spain. 

Soportujar is decorated with Halloween decorations year-round. You can find statues of dragons and witches, a recreation of Hansel and Gretel's house and more.

When you enter the town, you will see these statues and small independent shops selling all sorts of witch-themed items. You can buy colourful witches' brooms, bracelets for luck, and black cat miniatures. 

The village became enchanted after the Alpujarra Battles in the 16th century. After the battle, many people from northern Spain came to Soportújar to make it their home.

These new residents brought some celebrations that locals thought were practising black magic and other rituals.

Today, you can experience the magic by spotting the different statues around town and at celebrations like Halloween. 

The town becomes even spookier as locals dress up and decorate their houses, creating a mystical atmosphere on the streets.

If Granada is on your list, a day trip to Soportújar is a good idea. You can also explore nearby villages, such as Pampaneira, recognised as one of Spain's most beautiful towns.

Mexico

As much of the world gears up for Halloween at the end of October, Mexico celebrates Día de Muertos or the Day of the Dead, instead. 

Rather than Halloween traditions of costumes, trick-or-treating, and jack-o'-lanterns, Día de Muertos is celebrated by remembering and honouring departed family. 

Day of the Dead is a national holiday in Mexico with deep ancestral traditions. There’s a belief that the dead come closer to the living during this time of year. 

While Day of the Dead celebrations occur throughout Mexico, Mexico City hosts massive festivities. 

Although Day of the Dead often includes intimate family gatherings, Mexico City also hosts several major public events. 

Día de Muertos falls on November 2 each year; however, activity builds in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

One of Mexico City’s biggest Día de Muertos events is the Great Day of the Dead Parade. 

This relatively new tradition has become an instant hit, drawing over a million spectators. 

The elaborate parade spans Mexico City’s major boulevard, featuring dozens of floats, giant balloons, and hundreds of marching band musicians and dancers.

Mexican Traditions Around the Day of the Dead

Another tradition is creating remembrance altars, known as ofrendas, in honour of departed loved ones. 

Mexico City grandly does this by erecting a huge ofrenda in the Zocalo (the city's central plaza).

This monumental ofrenda carries a different theme each year and becomes a major seasonal attraction during the holiday. 

You can also find public ofrendas throughout Mexico City at museums and neighbourhood celebrations. 

Speaking of neighbourhood celebrations, each of Mexico City’s alcaldías (boroughs) has its own festivities. 

Xochimilco and Coyoacán have particularly atmospheric fiestas, full of cultural performances, traditional food, ornate ofrendas, and more! 

Or head out to the Mixquic cemetery at night to witness the biggest graveside festivities in Mexico City. 

Instead of Halloween candy, be sure to try pan de muerto (bread of the dead), a seasonal baked good found in bakeries throughout Mexico City. 

Instead of traditional Halloween costumes, dress up as a Catrina. Mexico City even has a Catrina parade, where everyone is invited to have their faces painted in skull makeup and join the march across the capital.

It’s certainly the best time to visit Mexico City if you enjoy Halloween-like celebrations.

Japan

Halloween has gained immense popularity in Japan over the years. Although it's a relatively new tradition in the country, Japanese people have embraced Halloween's spooky spirit with their own unique twist.

Trick-or-treating has become increasingly popular among children in Japan's urban areas.

However, instead of going door-to-door, as is commonly seen in Western countries, Japanese trick-or-treaters visit local shopping malls or department stores that offer safe environments for children to collect candy from different shops. This approach ensures safety while letting children fully enjoy the fun-filled tradition.

Japanese cities host vibrant Halloween parades, during which participants dress up as characters ranging from classic monsters to beloved anime icons or even a quirky mix of the two. Mask-wearing as both cute and scary characters is big at Halloween in Japan.

For families and thrill seekers, Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan are known for their elaborate Halloween events, which feature special-themed attractions, shows, and character meet-and-greets in October.

Pumpkin picking in Japan

Pumpkin picking is also gaining popularity across rural areas of Japan during autumn.

Many farms organise pumpkin patches where families can enjoy this American tradition with a touch of Japanese hospitality.

After selecting the perfect pumpkin, visitors can carve intricate designs or create kawaii (cute) faces using stencils, combining creativity with spooky aesthetics.

Japan takes frightful experiences to another level by offering exceptional haunted house attractions known as "obakeyashiki."

These immersive, horror-themed venues attract thrill-seekers seeking an adrenaline rush during Halloween.

Intricate sets filled with professional actors create unforgettable experiences, making these haunted houses a must-visit for those seeking spooky thrills.

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