Halloween is the annual scary celebration that everyone loves. It is a time when both young and old can dress up in outrageous costumes, enjoy activities like pumpkin carving and have fun at the myriad of worldwide Halloween events.
While Halloween originated in Ireland, this Celtic tradition has been warmly embraced by countries across the globe. But which countries celebrate Halloween the most?
In this post, we look at how Halloween is celebrated in ten different countries. Some traditions of All Hallows, Samain and even the Day of the Dead are embedded in their culture, while others are relative newcomers.
One thing is for sure: they all have a lot of fun celebrating the spooky season.
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United States of America
Halloween in the United States is a vibrant and exuberant celebration that captures the imagination of people of all ages. Occurring on October 31st, it’s a time when communities come alive with a mix of spooky decorations, creative costumes, and various 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 in advance for the extravaganza.
Pumpkin carving contests and apple-bobbing games are popular activities. Haunted attractions, like haunted houses and corn mazes, offer spine-tingling experiences for those seeking a good scare.
Halloween parties are a staple, catering to various 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 walking around to see the different festive, spooky displays that people have come up with.
Throughout October, several special Halloween events happen around the city. Teenagers and adults should try the Halloween Haunt at Canada’s Wonderland, an amusement park in the northern part of the Greater Toronto area.
Halloween Haunt has a lot of 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 their special Legends of Horror event, which they hold 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 feature special parties for adults on Halloween.
There are costume parties, where you can see people dressed in extremely elaborate costumes, and other low-key, Halloween-themed parties.
Scotiabank Theatre in the Entertainment District often plays 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 most historic parts of the city.
In addition to all this, you can also take the train down to Niagara Falls, which is famous for its haunted houses.
To quickly get from one place to another around Toronto 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 participate in the festivities by dressing up in elaborate costumes, ranging from classic monsters to scary film icons.
Trick-or-treating in the UK is common 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 like carved pumpkins and eerie ornaments.
Public establishments often host Halloween-themed events like 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 through anyone who dares enter!
In recent years, themed food and drinks have also gained popularity, with bakeries and cafes offering special treats like “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. 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 and lively event, fostering a sense of 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 were of ancient Celtic heritage, known as Samhain. This mystical celebration is deeply rooted in history, and its influence continues to shape modern Irish Halloween festivities.
At Halloween in Ireland, you can expect a blend of ancient and contemporary traditions 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 like banshees, fairies, and púcas. Children dressed in these costumes might go “guising,” where they visit homes singing songs or reciting poems in exchange for treats.
Events to Celebrate Halloween in Ireland
One of the biggest celebrations of Halloween in Ireland is the Púca Festival, an event that celebrates Samhain and the shape-shifting púcas that walk the lands.
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 have become more prominent. Yet, the heart of Irish Halloween remains steeped in its deep connection to ancient folklore and the mysticism of Samhain.
France
Paris, France, is magical at any time of year, 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 of the exceptions.
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 not to be missed. Expect spooky shows, creepy characters, and a grand Halloween parade that the kids will love.
And Paris has more to offer than Disneyland for a Halloween adventure. Just a stone’s throw away from the city, you’ll find Parc Asterix, 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?
And let’s not forget the famous Père Lachaise cemetery. It’s here the spirits of famous personalities like Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison are believed to come to life at Halloween.
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 flare.
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 by the experience of taking in the culture, architecture, and folklore that gave rise to modern vampire and werewolf mythology.
When visiting Transylvania for Halloween, be prepared for two very different sides of Transylvania. A version curated for tourists and a more authentic version focusing on the myth and folklore authentically woven into central Romania’s history. Which one is right for you will depend on your travel style.
Halloween visitors ready to explore the nightlife and extravagant Halloween revelry should fly to Bucharest, Romania, and transfer 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!
There might be better fits for travellers who value slow, culturally authentic travel than Brasov’s over-the-top Halloween celebration.
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.
Words by wanderbig.com
Lithuania
Uzupis is a small and charming neighbourhood located in Vilnius, the capital city 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 which the residents of the Republic declare their independence and celebrate their diversity. Or, the yearly Halloween display of carved jack-o’lanterns.
One of the most interesting facts about Lithuania is that it remained a pagan nation much longer than elsewhere in Europe, so it is no surprise that they celebrate 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 began to unite the community and has become a beloved annual event in the capital city.
If you walk through Uzupis at night near Halloween, the streets will be alive with energy and glowing pumpkins.
Additionally, the neighbourhood 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, visit Lithuania!
Words by thisrareearth.com
Spain
Spain might not be the first place you think of when it comes to celebrating Halloween events and traditions, but it hides a spooky secret.
If you plan to spend Halloween in Spain, Soportujar is the place to be.
This small village is famous for its superstitions, so it is often referred to as the witches’ village.
Soportujar is in the Alpujarra region, a collection of small villages near the Sierra Nevada Mountain range in Granada, Southern Spain.
The truth is that Soportujar is decorated with Halloween things all year round. You can find statues of dragons and witches, a recreation of Hansel and Gretel’s house and more.
When you enter this town, you will see these statues and small independent shops selling all sorts of witchery objects, such as colourful witches’ brooms, bracelets to bring you luck, and black cat miniatures.
The history behind this village is that it became an enchanted place after the Alpujarra Battles in the 16th century. After the battle, many people from northern Spain came to Soportujar to make it home.
These new residents brought some celebrations that locals thought were practising black magic and other rituals.
Nowadays, you can experience the magic in this place by spotting the different statues around the town, but also with celebrations like Halloween.
The town turns even more spooky as locals dress up and decorate their houses, and the streets have a mystical atmosphere.
If Granada is on your list, making a day trip to Soportujar is a good idea. Also, you can explore nearby villages like Pampaneira, recognised as one of the most beautiful towns in Spain.
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 special time of year.
While Day of the Dead celebrations occur throughout Mexico, there are massive festivities throughout Mexico City.
And although the Day of the Dead often includes intimate gatherings with family, Mexico City has several significant public events.
Día de Muertos falls on November 2 each year, yet there is a mounting buzz of activities 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 that draws over a million spectators.
The elaborate parade spans Mexico City’s major boulevard with dozens of floats, giant balloons, plus hundreds of marching band musicians and dancers!
Mexican Traditions Around the Day of the Dead
Another tradition celebrated is making remembrance altars, known as ofrendas, for 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, becoming a major seasonal attraction during the holiday.
Additional public ofrendas can be found 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.
Rather than Halloween candy, be sure to try pan de muertos (bread of the dead), a seasonal baked good found throughout Mexico City bakeries.
Instead of traditional Halloween costumes, dress up as a catrina. There’s even a catrina parade in Mexico City, where everyone is invited to have their faces painted in skull make-up to join in the march across Mexico’s 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 the spooky spirit of Halloween with their own unique twist.
Trick-or-treating has become increasingly popular among children in urban areas of Japan.
However, instead of going door-to-door, as commonly seen in Western countries, Japanese trick-or-treaters visit local shopping malls or department stores that offer safe environments for kids to collect candies from different shops. This approach ensures security while allowing children to participate fully in the fun-filled tradition.
Japanese cities host vibrant Halloween parades where participants dress up as characters ranging from classic monsters to beloved anime icons or even a quirky mix of the two. Mask-wearing of 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 featuring special-themed attractions, shows, and character meet-and-greets during October.
Pumpkin picking is also gaining popularity across rural areas of Japan during autumn.
Many farms organize 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 who want 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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