Halloween tradition around the world

Wanderlix takes you around the world to discover traditions and customs around Halloween. So, trick or treat?

A typical Anglo-Saxon holiday, Halloween is certainly the most terrifying and widespread celebration throughout the world. In many cities you will find exceptional events on Halloween. Many countries also have their own traditions related to ghosts and the deceased. China, Taiwan and Madagascar celebrate life and death in a different way than elsewhere in Europe or the world.

Halloween as many other parties are great opportunities to travel and discover local customs and customs. You don’t know where to go for Halloween or are you looking for inspiration for a future adventure? So, in our tour of the world, you will find traditions around Halloween.

Ireland

Ireland would be the country founder of the Halloween Festival . Celebrated for centuries, it was originally that of the Samain, a Celtic religious celebration. Today, children and adults perpetuate tradition by disguising themselves as evil creatures for the night of Halloween: ghosts, zombies, witches or gobelins.

To celebrate Halloween in Ireland, don’t miss attending Samhain Halloween Parade in the capital Dublin. To dive into the heart of Irish Celtic traditions, you can also go to Derry. Located in Northern Ireland, this city has become the best destination to celebrate Halloween in Europe! Because it is in Derry that the most important Halloween celebrations take place. Street carnivals, joy lights and fireworks are on the program during the party.

Mexico

In Mexico, we celebrate Día de Muertos (On the Day of the Dead), celebration of life and death . On this occasion, the inhabitants make all kinds of small objects that they will deposit on the tombs of their missing relatives on the last day of the festival.

In Mexico City and elsewhere, numerous parades are also held in the streets! The inhabitants then wear masks, makeups or skeletons. In the North of Mexico City, you can participate in the La Calaca Festival in San Miguel de Allende. Night parties, parades, art exhibitions and other activities take place in this city for a whole week.

Taiwan

In Taiwan, we celebrate Lantern Festival rather than Western Halloween. This celebration is much more joyous and colorful than the celebration of the Anglo-Saxon countries. According to ancient China beliefs, one can see the spirits of heaven in the light of the first full moon of the new year. To perpetuate this luminous tradition, a Lantern Festival is organized every year in a different city of Taiwan. It stands around the 15th day after the Chinese New Year. The Festival celebrations are organized around the zodiac animal of the year. Acrobatic or popular art shows take place, as well as dragon and lion dances.

In Yanshui, you can also attend a pyrotechnic show of nearly 200 years. On this occasion, the city draws thousands of pets to accompany colorful high parades!

China

In China, we also celebrate an ancestral feast rather than the Anglo-Saxon Halloween: Ghost Festival . It stands every 15th day of the seventh lunar month, known as the month of ghosts. Tradition wants the tormented spirits of Chinese hell to be released on earth during this period. To soothe them, the inhabitants offer them comforting meals, burn incense and organize celebrations.

In each of China’s major cities, there are impressive fires. The best place to discover this atypical party is Hong Kong . During the month of ghosts, travellers can attend traditional exhibitions, operas and plays, as well as traditional fires on the island.

Madagascar

Also called Famadihana , the return of the dead is a ceremony still observed in some regions of Madagascar. On this occasion, the Malgaches paid tribute to their ancestors by deterring and displaying their bodies. This tradition does not take place at a fixed date. Unfortunately, it tends to disappear, especially because of Western and Christian influence.

Hawaii

In Hawaii, as elsewhere in the United States, Halloween is a special place in the heart of the people. At the end of October, many events were organized in these dream islands. On the island of Oahu, the city of Laie welcomes the exploration of a lagoon haunted . During this sensational high activity, you walk the waters in a complete darkness looking for a haunted house. Terrifying and original animations are planned throughout the course, so hang on!

If the activity frightens you, you will always be able to join the other Halloween celebrations on the island: parades, jerky parties or pumpkin sculptures.

Australia

Are you in Australia for Halloween? So discover the celebrations completely shifted from the inhabitants of Brisbane! To celebrate Halloween, the city organizes a big zombie parade On his streets. The goal is to recreate an invasion of zombies, as in your favorite movies or series. Everyone obviously tries to be the most terrifying.

But to participate, you will not need elaborate makeups or costumes. Just come out with torn clothes and a little red paint to join the party and the inhabitants!

Transylvania

To celebrate Halloween, what better than the birthplace of Vlad l’Empaleur , better known as Dracula? Located in Romania , the city of Sighisoara turns out to be a great destination for Halloween. On this occasion, medieval and foraine festivals are organized in the surrounding castles. The streets and houses are also decorated in a macabre style. You can also attend the Festival des Vampires, where witches and vampires walk freely! This one takes place near the real castle of Count Dracula.

Guatemala

In Guatemala, as well as in the Philippines or Mexico, families come to picnics decorated tombs Dead. This feast is then the opportunity to communicate with the deceased and honor them! During this festive event, Guatemalans steal colourful kites. If the inhabitants celebrate Halloween, December 7 is even more important for them.

That day, the devil was burned during the Quema Del Diablo . For this party, the inhabitants march through the streets. Fireworks are fired. And above all, the immolation of a devil’s effigy is carried out. To attend the celebrations, you can visit the capital of Guatemala.

Haiti

To Haiti, the Feast of the Dead or Guédé , a party similar to Halloween, takes place on November 1 and 2. Original voudou , this union feast is well anchored in Haitian culture. During this colorful celebration, the Haitians celebrate their gods of death by dancing, drinking and spitting around a sacred tomb. Cemeteries are honoured and the inhabitants go there to honor the deceased, dressed in black and white or purple. To be sure to attend the celebrations, you will have to go to the capital Port-au-Prince.

Louisiana

In New Orleans, in the United States, voodoo is also surfaced. At the time of Halloween, the city immerses in a mystical atmosphere during a weekend. The inhabitants cover their balconies with spider canvases. Des strange object markets are organized everywhere. Monsters and witches happily walk around the streets. Voodoo music is also in the spotlight in bars.

To celebrate this period, go to the Voodoo Music Experience, which takes place shortly before Halloween. This is one of the best festivals in the world. It welcomes exceptional artists every year!

England

You don't want to get away from France to celebrate Halloween? So don’t hesitate to come to England! Halloween is an Anglo-Saxon party after all. In London, London Ghost Festival allows you to visit the famous haunted monuments of the capital. You will also be able to participate in the celebrations held during the night of October 31st to November 1st.

Salvador

In El Salvador and Mexico, we celebrate the deaths for All Saints. During the festival « La Calabiuza " Salvadorans paint their faces in black and white to look like skeletons. To attend parades, take the direction of the capital San Salvador!