Halloween Holidays: How’s Halloween Celebrated Around The World?
Author: Maheshwari Vickyraj, Content Writer
It's that spine-tingling time of year and mystical charm never goes out of style. But guess what? This devilishly delightful holiday, whether it's rocking the title of All Hallows' Eve or All Saints' Eve, loves to play dress up and throw a worldwide costume party that's anything but boring!
In the last decade, Halloween's enchantment has spread like wildfire, setting the globe on fire with excitement. But hang onto your witch's hat because each country puts its own unique spin on this life-and-death extravaganza. Depending on where you go, Halloween can be a hilarious hoot or a spooktacularly serious affair!
Trick Or Tequila In Mexico
Halloween gets a fiesta-filled, spooky twist with a dash of cultural flair in Mexico! It's not just a one-night wonder; it's a two-day celebration. On October 31st, Mexicans kick things off with costumes and treats, just like the rest of the ghostly gang. But here's where it gets interesting: November 1st is the “Day of The Dead,” or “Día de los Muertos,” when they welcome back departed loved ones. Altars adorned with marigolds, sugar skulls and favourite foods and drinks of the deceased spring up in homes, creating a vibrant and heartfelt celebration where death and life dance hand in hand under the shimmering Mexican moon.
So, get ready to salsa in Mexico with the spirits during Día de Muertos; it's a vibrant fiesta —where a hauntingly good time awaits!
Pick A Pumpkin In Austria
Austria knows how to keep the party going even after Halloween and everyone's invited! They’ve got a pumpkin festival, the Kürbisfest im Retzer Land, which is a rollicking orange spectacle that’s more exciting than a pumpkin in a pie. A patch of pumpkin paradise takes centre stage and it's where you can savour scrumptious pumpkin treats that'll make your taste buds tango and maybe even find the ultimate jack-o'-lantern material. With contests, games and pumpkin-themed everything, it's a vibrant, celebration! But wait, there’s more! On November 11, they kick off Martin's Day with costumes and a lantern parade that lights up the night.
Are you ready to dance to lively tunes at this pumpkin-themed carnival that'll leave you grinning like a Jack-o'-lantern? Because trust us, you will enjoy it!
Happy Haunting In Haiti
The Fet Gede or The Festival of the Dead, is like Halloween cranked up to eleven, but with a groovy Haitian twist. Happening on November 1 and 2, it’s a voodoo extravaganza where the dazzling voodooists party it up to honour Baron Samedi, the father of all things spirit-tastic. These magical folks take their dance moves to the streets to have a ghostly time and stroll through graveyards, treating their ancestors to a home-cooked feast. It’s the voodoo version of Mardi Gras, Día de Los Muertos and Halloween, all rolled into one! Explosive celebrations and vibrant traditions make this a light hearted festive fusion that’ll get you in the spirit!
Make sure to snap away while you witness the dance on the streets of Haiti; it's a bewitching fusion of dance, devotion and celebration, you won't want to miss!
Dance With The Devil In Vegas
Sin City entertainment doesn’t hold back when Halloween rolls into town; it transforms into a spellbinding spectacle that would make even the spookiest Spectre grin from ear to ear. The glitzy Las Vegas Strip ignites with a dazzling display of extravagant costumes, themed parties and nightclubs that are in an all-out competition for the title of “Most Glamorous Ghoul.” All around the city, haunted houses and mazes spring up like giddy ghosts, ready to send shivers down your spine. But that’s not all; the casinos jump right into the masquerade madness with costume contests, live performances and slot tournaments that’ll make you shriek with delight.
So, when in Vegas, go all-in on the ghoulish glam with epic costume parties at world-famous nightclubs and explore spine-chilling haunted houses that'll leave you screaming for more.
Trick Or Treat In New York
New York City, the ultimate Halloween playground, kicks off an electrifying celebration that’s spook-tacular! Imagine the Greenwich Village Halloween parade, a glittering carnival of wild costumes and performances that’s brighter than Jack-o'-lantern at midnight. Across the city, haunted houses and themed shindigs pop up like mischievous ghouls, adding to the eerie excitement. And guess what? Central Park is not just for picnics; it’s a hub of family-friendly fun with pumpkin patches and Halloween thrills around every corner.
Want more? visit the Bronx Zoo, which goes wild with “Boo at the Zoo,” where haunted trails and themed fun reign supreme. But the real magic happens after dark when restaurants, bars and clubs become haunted hotspots, hosting epic costume parties and themed soirees that turn the NYC nightlife into a chilling and thrilling adventure.
Have A Fang-Tastic Night In New Orleans
Halloween in New Orleans is a soul-stirring, spine-tingling and downright bewitching! Join the legendary Krewe of Boo parade, where haunted floats and costumed craziness take over the streets. Ghosts and goblins unite for thrilling haunted tours, exploring the city's spirited past. Hit up the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, a festival that'll have you dancing like a zombie to live music.
Don't forget to explore the historic cemeteries—some say they're spookier than a ghost with a chainsaw! Dive into the city's vibrant costume culture, where masquerade balls and themed parties happen all month long. The French Quarter becomes a masquerade of its own, with revellers in outrageous outfits painting the town orange. For an authentic NOLA experience, indulge in some gumbo, jambalaya and a beignet or two!
Peek A Boo In Italy
Forget trick-or-treating for a sec because in Italy, November 1st is all about Ognissanti, the "all saints" celebration that's like the ultimate saintly shindig! Now usually, Italian holidays are all about dedicating the day to one specific saint, but Ognissanti? Nope, it's the grand slam of saintly celebrations, honouring all the saints under one big halo. It's like the holiest reunion ever, with saints from every corner of the heavenly realm coming together for a celestial party that's nothing short of divine!
Trust us: for an eerie experience, check out haunted tours in Rome, and Florence, where ancient tales will send shivers down your pasta-loving spine. And speaking of pasta, treat yourself to some witchy-black squid-ink pasta for that extra spooky touch. Don't forget to indulge in the sweet delights of traditional Italian desserts, because life is short, but the Halloween candy stash is even shorter!
Get Spooky In Spain
Spain doesn't hold back when it comes to Halloween—it's like a three-day festival! The party kicks off on October 31, known as “Dia de las Brujas,” or "Day of the Witches," and continues into “Noite dos Calacús,” or the "Night of the Pumpkins," until it culminates on “Dia de los Muertos,” "the Day of the Dead," on November 2. But here's the twist: on “Dia de Todos los Santos,” which is All Saints' Day, Spain takes a breather with a bank holiday to pay their respects to those who've moved on. Families visit the graves of their loved ones, leaving flowers and sharing scrumptious pastries. One village near Barcelona hosts its own spooky celebration, Fira de les Bruixes, in honour of women accused of witchcraft during the Spanish Inquisition.
We recommend experiencing “Dia de las Brujas,” which could rival a masquerade ball, or exploring the hauntingly beautiful cemeteries to soak up the ghostly vibes. It's a fiesta with a touch of the eerie, making Halloween in Spain a spirited adventure you want to go on!
Ready to experience Halloween's global enchantment firsthand? CLICK HERE to go on a spine-tingling adventure and celebrate the diverse, spooky and heartwarming traditions of All Hallows' Eve in style!