In modern times and thanks to mass media, Halloween celebrations have become associated with everything spooky and scary! From skeleton decorations and fake cobwebs to Hallow’s Eve traditions observed all over the world. It’s undeniable that Halloween has grown to become one of the biggest and most celebrated annual holidays.
That’s why, this Halloween, Expat Explore decided to look into the different Halloween celebrations around the world. From the classic trick-or-treat to the Day of the Dead, read on to learn more about how different countries celebrate Halloween and their ancestry.
Take a look at the world’s top Halloween celebrations by country:
Guy Fawkes, England
With pop culture placing even more focus on Halloween as the Americans celebrate it, many countries have also adopted those traditions. England, for example, sees many take part in the annual dressing up for Hallow’s Eve and even going out trick or treating.
However, traditionally, you’ll find the English celebrating the period around Halloween a bit differently, and for a much different reason. To honour the failed assassination of King James I by Guy Fawkes, England is abuzz on 5 November with bonfires across the country to symbolise the gunpowder that would’ve been used if the attempt had been successful. Children will walk through neighbourhoods asking for a “penny for the Guy” instead of collecting candy.
Related: Visit England on one of our United Kingdom multi-country tours!
Ognissanti, Italy
On the day after Hallow’s Eve, the citizens of Italy honour the deceased in a different way. Ognissanti falls on 1 November and serves as a day to honour not only certain saints but all of them. While the holiday has deep-seated religious roots, the modern celebrations of the day have a closer relation to the Western idea of Halloween.
In Sicily, for example, they believe that the deceased rise again each year to offer children treats, while in Sardinia, kids go door-to-door collecting treats from the deceased. For Romans, the day is best celebrated with a meal near the remains of their loved ones. But by far the closest to classic Halloween traditions is seen in Abruzzo and Trentino, where people celebrate by making lanterns using candles and hollowed-out pumpkins.
Related: Discover more of the unmissable events and festivals in Italy.
Halloween Dress-up, Japan
Speaking of Western Halloween traditions, Japan comes surprisingly close to the traditions associated with Halloween today. That’s because the country has only recently adopted the Halloween holiday since Japan has many other days and ways to honour and celebrate the deceased.
However, in Japan, you’ll find that it’s mostly adults who indulge in this celebration. Find yourself in Japan around Halloween and look forward to the incredible costumes people create to take to the streets and visit one bar after another!
Related: Dive into our guide to the best times to see Japan’s top attractions.
Day of the Dead, Mexico
Mexico brings us a variety of celebrations that all start off with the classic October 31st trick-or-treat. However, that’s just the start of the traditions honouring the deceased in Mexico. Once contained mostly to the countryside, the celebration of el Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) can now be seen countrywide, even in large cities like Mexico City and in international cities with Mexican communities.
From 1-2 November, the citizens of Mexico honour their deceased loved ones by dressing in skull masks and preparing a feast to offer to their ancestors. This feast could include the loved ones’ favourite meals and sweet delights like skull candies. This tradition dates back around 3,000 years and is believed to coincide with when the heavens open to let the spirits of the deceased reunite with their families.
Original Halloween, Ireland
It should come as no surprise that Ireland is on the list of the top Halloween celebrations in the world. That’s where it all started, after all! Halloween is a huge celebration in Ireland dating back 2,000 years. It originated from the ancient Samhain festival where the beginning of winter was celebrated in pagan Ireland.
Today, Halloween celebrations can be seen and experienced across the country. From the Celtic Púca Festival honouring the holiday’s folklore to huge events like the Derry Halloween in Northern Ireland. Be sure to spend at least one Halloween in your life in the country that started it all!
Related: Experience Ireland at its best on one of our UK & Ireland tours.
Masquerade Day, Costa Rica
Another country that only recently adopted Halloween traditions based on its popularity in the West is Costa Rica. In recent years, locals have been celebrating Dia de la Mascarada or Masquerade Day. This countrywide festival of masks is meant to honour the country’s rich cultural heritage as well as its indigenous roots.
All across the country, you’ll find skilled mask makers wearing vibrant masks representing animals, mythical characters or historical figures taking to the streets to take part in the masquerade parade.
Related: Spend 9 days discovering the diversity and natural beauty of a Costa Rica Escape.
Qingming Festival, China
China has also only recently adopted some of the more Western approaches to Halloween with expats and visitors introducing it to the country’s citizens. However, China doesn’t only honour the deceased and ancestors once a year. Paying tribute to those who have come before is a very important cultural pillar for the majority of people in the country.
Other annual events to honour the deceased include the Hungry Ghost Festival, the Qingming Festival, the Double 9th Festival, and the Spring Festival. The most important is the Qingming Festival at the beginning of April, also known as Tomb Sweeping Day, when citizens sweep and clean the tombstones of loved ones who have passed.
Now that you’ve learned some more about the history and traditions surrounding this popular holiday, where will you be spending Hallow’s Eve this year?
Expat Explore offers a variety of single and multi-country tours to many of the must-visit destinations on our list. Book a tour, get your costume ready, and look forward to a spooky season somewhere spectacular!