Halloween Around the World: Festivals, Parades & Haunted Experiences
If you know me, you know Halloween isn’t just a holiday—it’s a lifestyle. 😅 But did you know that spooky season looks totally different depending on where in the world you celebrate? From parades to haunted villages, October 31st is celebrated in some seriously creative ways. If you’ve ever dreamed of traveling for Halloween, here are some incredible destinations to put on your list.
🧛♂️ Transylvania, Romania – Dracula’s Home
You can’t talk about spooky travel without mentioning Dracula’s castle! Bran Castle hosts Halloween parties where you can tour candlelit halls, dress in costume, and dance until morning. Imagine spending Halloween in the land of vampires? Total bucket list.
🎭 Mexico – Día de los Muertos
While not the same as Halloween, Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is a vibrant, meaningful celebration of life and ancestry. Cities like Oaxaca and Mexico City light up with colorful parades, face paint, flower-filled ofrendas, and music in the streets. It’s equal parts festive and deeply moving.
👹 Kawasaki, Japan – The Halloween Parade
Japan goes all out for Halloween, especially in Tokyo and Kawasaki. The Kawasaki Halloween Parade is one of the biggest in the country, with thousands of people dressed in the most elaborate, creative costumes you’ve ever seen. Think cosplay energy but spooky.
🏰 Ireland – The Origins of Halloween
Did you know Halloween actually began in Ireland as the Celtic festival of Samhain? In Derry, the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Festival brings firework shows, parades, ghost tours, and haunted houses. It’s basically Halloween history andfun rolled into one trip.
🎡 New Orleans, USA – Haunted History & Parades
New Orleans is already famous for its haunted vibe, but during Halloween it becomes next-level. Between the Krewe of Boo parade, voodoo tours, and haunted mansions, you’ll get chills in the best way possible. Plus, the food and nightlife? Always unbeatable.
🪦 London, UK – Ghost Walks & Haunted Attractions
London leans into its spooky history with ghost tours through centuries-old alleys, haunted pubs, and themed events at the Tower of London. If you love a good scare mixed with history, this city’s got you covered.
Halloween doesn’t have to just mean trick-or-treating and horror movies at home—it’s the perfect excuse to travel and experience how different cultures bring spooky season to life. Whether it’s dancing in a castle in Romania, honoring ancestors in Mexico, or parading through Japan, Halloween is truly a global celebration.
So… where are we traveling next October? 😉🎃
