Halloween is celebrated throughout the world, with different traditions, names and beliefs. While typical Halloween activities include trick-or-treating and costume parties, there are a few places around the world where Halloween is so much more than that.
From the witch trials in Salem, to the country where Halloween is believed to originate from, to a transformed theme park; these places around the world are by far the coolest places to be when October 31st falls. Some of the events will have you screaming in fear, others will have you partying with thousands of people and others will have you taking part in elaborate costume parades; whatever you decide though, we promise it will be unforgettable.
Salem – Massachusetts, USA.
You can visit Salem anytime during the month of October and get the full Halloween experience here. It was here that twenty six people were once tried and put to death for being witches and Halloween is when the town celebrates witches in the coolest of ways.
Visitors here should expect guided tours of haunted and infamous spots, trial and hanging re-enactments, fireworks, parades and a witch’s circle. Don’t miss out visiting the Witch House Museum, which was once home to Judge Jonathan Corwin, one of the judges in the trials and one of the remaining buildings left in Salem that has direct links to the trials. On the night of Halloween there are magic shows, witches balls, séances, fireworks and more to choose from. With plenty of accommodation options, dining options and interesting shops there will be no shortage of things to do in this town.
Transylvania, Romania.
The entire country of Romania has a creeptacular reputation, with is stunning Gothic architecture and enveloping forests. But it is the impressive Bran Castle that draws most visitors here, as it was once said to be the home of Vlad the Impaler, the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s famous Dracula. The castle is where tens of thousands of enemies were impaled on stakes, Vlad leaving their bodies to rot. Today for brave visitors the castle is open to the public and nothing seems creepier than touring through here on the night of Halloween, learning the truth about the terrifying legends. Visitors here can choose to book a guided tour and stay in nearby accommodations or to join one of the specialty Halloween tours that includes Romanian cuisine, live medieval and Romanian folk music, lives shows and the infamous Count Dracula wedding at the Hunyad Castle. Just don’t forget about your costume.
Mexico
It isn’t called Halloween here but instead Day of the Dead, a three day celebration that begins October 31st each year. Day of the Dead is a celebration of the dead and it is believed that spirits return each year on these three days to spend time with their loved ones. Each city and town offers a different way of celebrating Day of the Dead. If you head to the small island of Janitzio you will find elaborate rituals which include folk dancing, fishermen in their rowboats with torches and a gathering of families in the cemetery at night to sing and chant. In Oaxaca, near Acapulco you will find the streets transformed into a huge street festival where costumed people visit cemeteries and the town gets decorated with skulls, skeletons and flowers. The main square is where the biggest party happens with an abundance of food, drinks and dancing all night long.
Ireland
It is where Halloween originated and still remains one of the best places to celebrate it, although it known as Samhain Night here. This medieval Irish festival originated when it marked the end of the harvest, which brought shorter days and the dark half of the year. It was this time that the dead are believed to revisit the mortal world. Derry City is where visitors will want to head for the best Halloween celebrations in the country. The Banks of the Floyle Halloween Carnival runs nine days and celebrates everything spooky. Count on parades, fireworks, ghost tours, haunted houses, workshops, scary movies and even a Dragon Safari, A slew of family-friendly programs also go on all festival long. Visit the origin of Halloween for one unforgettable experience.
Sleepy Hollow – New York, USA.
The famous grounds of Washington Irving’s timeless legend of the Headless Horseman are the perfect place to get spooky this year. Halloween can be discovered here throughout the entire month of October. The 300 year old Phillipsburg Manor is one of the most favourite of Halloween events as it is transformed into a fearsome landscape that features vampires, witches, ghosts and state-of-the-art special effects. For a more family friendly tour head to the Lyndhurst Castle where a guide will take you to meet the spirits of the Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster and the Phantom of the Opera. Other activities in this town include haunted hayrides, live music, street fairs, parades and lantern tours. Don’t miss out on visiting Old Dutch Burying Ground, one of the oldest cemeteries in the United States and of course the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where Washington Irving is buried.
London, England.
There are a slew of awesome Halloween events that happen in London and your hardest decision may just be deciding which ones to attend. For visitors who are looking to be frightened there is no better place to head than the popular Dungeon, which has been giving panic attacks to visitors since 1976. An elaborate, interactive experience takes visitors face to face with notorious villains such as Jack the Ripper and Sweeny Todd. Actors escort participants through 14 shows and three terrifying rides. For those looking for a little less intense experience the ghost walks that happen through the city are always a hit. Join along as you visit the site of Sir William Wallace’s execution and an old churchyard that is haunted by Queen Isabella. Or take a guided tour around Jack the Ripper’s old haunts in East London and even have a pint where two of his victims were allegedly drinking.
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Edinburgh is a wonderful destination for a city trip with friends or with family at Halloween. Enjoy a night break, surrounded by Zombies and Vampires who feel at home in this medieval city. Celebrate Halloween at Edinburgh Castle, visit the city in the light of lanterns… there are dozens of events in Edinburgh to make your stay as scary as possible.
Corinaldo, Italy.
Like all human beings, Corinaldo has two faces. That of a welcoming city, a charming destination awarded by the European Commission for its incredible nature and landscapes. That being said, you should also know that the citizens of Corinaldo are also descendants of witches that they worship. Corinaldo is the capital of witches on Halloween, the most diabolical place to celebrate Halloween. If you are brave enough, come to Corinaldo for the most evil event “Halloween – The witches’ festival” that will take place on the last 4 days of October. Benvenuti all’inferno!
Monsters park – Bomarzo, Italy.
The monsters park in Italy is a huge park, an extravagant one, symbol of the Italian Renaissance. The story of the park is murky and historians fail to agree on its origin or the meaning of the statues representing monsters. You can find them everywhere in the park. We invite the most adventurous ones to cross the Ogre’s gate also called the gate to Hell and discover the dark side of your personality.
Long Beach – California, USA.
For those who want a real good scare, there is no better place to head than one of the most haunted places in the world, the cruise liner Queen Mary. Docked off Long Beach in California this is one of the coolest and most unique places to celebrate Halloween. Dark Harbor starts October 1st each year and runs for the whole month offering terrifying experiences to those who dare to visit. This month long event features six mazes haunted by more than 200 spirits and ghosts, many inspired by the actual spirits that are said to haunt the ship. Visitors should also expect rides, more monsters, live shows, food and beverages. Something to note about this experience is that it is NOT suitable for young children and no costumes are allowed other than on Halloween.
Venice, Italy.
What is there behind that mask? When night falls, when fog invades the city and boaters have gone back home, when the pigeons have left St. Mark’s Square, Venice shows another face, that of a scary city where beings are all dressed in black and wander in the streets. Come discover them and be swept away by the wave of terror of one of the scariest European destinations for Halloween.
New Orleans – Louisiana, USA.
It is the second most celebrated time in the city, trumped only by Mardi Gras and it is one of the coolest places to celebrate Halloween in the world. Combine the city’s reputation for voodoo with some of the best-haunted and paranormal tours in the world and you have yourself an incredible Halloween experience. It is known as the most haunted city in the United States and make sure to book a tour in the French Quarter or through one of the world famous cemeteries. Frenchmen Street is where you will find the biggest Halloween street parties in which locals and tourists take to the streets in elaborate costumes. Haunted houses, activities at the zoo, an awesome annual Halloween parade and the Voodoo Music and Art Experience are all a part of this city’s celebrations. If you couldn’t get here for Mardi Gras, visiting at Halloween is the absolute next best thing.
Bratislava, Slovakia.
Bratislava is the capital of horror at Halloween. This beautiful city turns into a big party place for zombies, monsters and evil old witches. As monsters also love parties, Bratislava organises many events including Halloween Party Erasmus Bratislava and Bratislava International Halloween Party to host the most terrifying creatures and evils in the world.
Oravsky Hrad, Slovakia.
If Dracula’s Castle is not scary enough for you, why not visit Nosferatu’s castle in Slovakia? “Nosferatu”, a silent film by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau, was made in 1922 and was inspired by “Count Dracula”. In 1925 a judicial decision was made to suppress all the copies of the film, but fortunately it was protected. We recommend you to view it before you go to Oravsky Hrad for Halloween, one of the scariest places to spend Halloween in Europe.
New York City – New York, USA.
New York City’s Village Halloween Parade literally shuts down lower Manhattan and draws visitors from all over the world. Established in 1974 this parade features dancers, costumes and giant mile-long puppets. Anyone in a costume is welcome to participate in this event and those wanting to watch should show up early to grab a spot along 6th avenue. If this incredible parade doesn’t satisfy your Halloween hunger, head to an after-dark Crypt Crawl under the Cathedral of St. John the Divine or join a ghost walk where you might just run into the ghost of Edgar Allen Poe, known to hang around the village. The city is overflowing with haunted hotels; bars and buildings and even the museums and zoos go all out for this annual celebration.
Hollywood – California, USA.
Open your eyes to the dark side of theme parks when you visit Universal Studios in Hollywood over Halloween. The parks transforms into a creepy wonderland of horrors featuring interactive mazes, additional shows and ride and “scare zones” that will have you screaming in fear. Horror-movie fans will love the over the top special effects and scream-worthy attractions. If you prefer to avoid the theme parks why not head to one of the largest Halloween parties in the world? In West Hollywood over 500,000 people take to the streets of Santa Monica Blvd for the Halloween Carnival. This event features live entertainment, food vendors, photo stations, a queen and much more. Many of the bars along the road take part in this event with special drinks and patio parties. It is one of the biggest events in all of Los Angeles and it’s FREE to attend, open from 6pm-11pm on Halloween night.
(Article source: Various)
