It’s deathly silent. The dim lights make it hard to make sense of your surroundings as you shuffle ahead. Your heart’s pounding and in the far-off distance, you hear screams of those who have gone before you. And then, even though you totally see it coming, a life-sized clown appears around the corner and goes BOO.
If I’m being honest, Halloween celebrations in Singapore can be kind of meh. A couple of houses are decorated and a handful of children go around trick-or-treating. If you’re looking for a little bit more of a Halloween vibe, why not consider an otherworldly adventure that’s bound to give you the fright you’re looking for?
Fun fact: Vastly different from modern-day Halloween with jack-o-lanterns and a ton of candy, the festival initially started as the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain — the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. The Celts believed that on the night before the festival, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to Earth.
But coming back to modern-day Halloween, if you’re looking to book your next holiday and want a different kind of experience, check out these eight Halloween festivals around the world, and make sure to use your YouTrip card for a sweeter treat this holiday.
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🎃 8 Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World:
1. Salem Halloween Festival – Salem, Massachusetts USA
Image credits: Travel + Leisure
The Salem Halloween Festival is a month-long celebration that runs from early October. During the month, the whole town of Salem turns into a wonderland with haunted houses, masquerade parties, and fairs all month long.
Explore Salem’s dark history and learn more about the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 at the Salem Witch Museum and Witch House. There are also witchcraft and psychic fairs, art and craft markets, and even family-friendly activities like pumpkin carving, face painting, and trick-or-treating opportunities to enjoy. The whole festival culminates in the Haunted Happenings Parade — a large and colourful parade with elaborate floats, marching bands, flamboyantly costumed performers, and more.
Besides the Halloween festivities, there is plenty else to explore like the Salem Maritime National Historic Site, the Gallows Hill Museum and Theatre, and different food tours to explore local cuisine and culture.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about the Salem Halloween festival here
2. Dia de los Muertos – Mexico
Image credits: Travel + Leisure
Heading over to Mexico City, check out Dia de los Muertos, also known as the Day of the Dead. It’s a traditional Mexican holiday that spans over the first two days of November, dedicated to the deceased children and family members of the land.
For many families, it’s during this time that family members come together to honour their dead. Families create elaborate altars in their homes adorned with marigold flowers, candied skulls, candles, incense, food and beverages, and special mementoes of the deceased.
Although it’s a festival celebrated all around Mexico, Mexico City is the heart of the celebrations with giant fixtures, exhibitions, and parades all around the city. Soak in the atmosphere with traditional music and dance filling the streets, special Dia de los Muertos dishes, candlelight processions, and special celebrations in Zocalo, the city centre.
Besides the festival, there’s also plenty to see like the National Museum of Anthropology, Xochimilco (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), and different neighbourhoods like Coyoacan, Teotihuacán, and Zona Rosa.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about the Salem Halloween festival here
3. Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival – Derry, Northern Ireland
Image Credits: Tourism Ireland Media Room
One of the largest Halloween celebrations in Europe, the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival is held in Derry, Northern Ireland. Festivities are held around Halloween, with a grand carnival and different events over several days leading up to the celebration on Halloween night.
Besides the usual haunted houses and pumpkin carving contests, one of the highlights is the Halloween parade that goes through the city’s streets all around town. The parade involves huge colour floats, puppets, and street performers decked out to the nine in creative costumes. There’s also a beautiful fireworks display over the River Foyle, and mesmerising illuminations and installations to enjoy by the river.
Other than the Halloween festivities, there’s actually lots to do in Derry. Learn more about the town’s history by visiting the iconic Derry City Walls that have been preserved for over 400 years, the Guildhall, the Peace Bridge, and the Museum of Free Derry. There’s plenty else to explore in the area so you don’t have to be worried about being bored.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about the Banks of the Foyle Carnival festival here
4. Transylvania Halloween Celebrations – Transylvania, Romania
Image credits: Two Scots Abroad
Count Dracula is arguably one of the most famous fictional vampires in the world (maybe before Twillight’s Edward Cullen came and gave him a run for his money), and originated from Transylvania, Romania, which is probably why the region is often associated with all things Halloween.
If you’re looking for the vibes and a town totally soaked up and ready for the holiday, I would think that Transylvania is the place to go. With its beautiful landscapes, medieval castles and rich history, the town becomes the perfect backdrop for all the Halloween festivities.
Attend costume parties, join guided tours to notoriously haunted sites, visit Dracula’s Castle, go for horror film screenings, and gather around and listen to locals tell their tales of vampires, werewolves, and all the other local folklore and legends.
There is also so much more to explore in the area. If medieval towns are your thing, you’ll love wandering the cobble-stoned floors of Sibiu, Brasov, and Cluj-Napoca. There are also beautiful wildlife and nature reserves like the Piatra Craiului National Park and the Carpathian Mountains for the outdoorsy folks. Just be sure to make it back before the sun sets…
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about Transylvania’s Halloween celebrations here
5. Tokyo Disney Resort’s Halloween Celebration – Tokyo, Japan
Image credits: Tokyo Disneyland
For a more family-friendly Halloween celebration that’s a little closer to home, Tokyo’s Disney Resorts usually take Halloween to the next level with lavish decorations, displays, and some of your favourite Disney characters decked out in Halloween costumes around the park.
Besides the usual rides, there are special food items and treats for sale, as well as spooky-themed shows that are full of energy, music, and dance that would definitely make it more palatable for the little ones. And if you intend to stay till dark, there are special lights and fireworks shows that are totally worth the wait.
October is a beautiful time to visit Tokyo as the beautiful autumn foliage lines the streets, parks and different attractions. There are also special Chrysanthemum Festivals at Shinjuku Gyoen and different shrines and temples across the city to admire the displays. There’s plenty to do in Tokyo!
And of course, if you’re headed to Disneyland, DisneySea or both, book your tickets in advance on Klook and check out with your YouTrip card to enjoy up to 5% cashback!
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween Events here
6. Pumpkinferno – Ontario, Canada
Image credits: SDG Counties
No prizes for guessing what Pumpkinferno is about — pumpkins and fire. Held at Upper Canada Village, a historical site in Ontario, the event is known for intricate pumpkin designs set in 19th-century Canada.
Upper Canada Village is a living history museum that recreates what life was like back then, making it a picturesque location for a fall festival. Artists transform pumpkins in the most innovative ways and are then artfully lit, giving the whole village a warm, orangey glow. From spooky Halloween motifs to historical and cultural displays, this event is a great way to learn about Canada’s history in a fun and quirky way.
Besides the museum, there’s plenty else to see and do like visiting the Battle of Crysler’s Farm, a key battle sight during the war in 1812, and lots of outdoor activities to check out too. It’s an ideal holiday for those looking to slow things down a little.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about Pumpkinferno and get your tickets here
7. Spirits of Meath Festival – Boyne Valley, Ireland
Image credits: Discover Boyne Valley
Head right back to ground zero of Halloween at the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival that’s held in Boyne Valley in Ireland. Jam-packed with activities all throughout the month of October till early November, there’s plenty to see and do from dusk till dawn.
From pumpkin patches to haunted houses, the area has different farms and attractions hosting several events. You get to learn more about the origins of the festival, as well as appreciate ancient Samhain traditions that are more than just the scary parts.
Besides the Halloween festivities, you can visit the Emerald Park, Ireland’s only theme park and zoo combined. Check out the Hill of Tara, also known as the High Kings of Ireland which offers panoramic views of the valley, and visit medieval castles and historic sites.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about the Spirits of Meath festival and what’s going on here
8. Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village – Michigan, USA
Image credits: Detroit Free Press
Held over 16 evenings in October, Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village is a family-friendly festival that allows guests to wander around the village and soak in the most of Halloween thrills.
As a nod to the origins of Halloween, the event has harvest-themed events inspired by the 18th and 19th centuries in the daytime, and then the calm and serene atmosphere fades with the setting sun into the spooky activities of the night. There’s the Hallowe’en Express that takes guests for a ghoulish ride around Greenfield Village and there are different dining packages for you to enjoy at the Hallowe’en Fairy Tale Feast or the Eagle Tavern Harvest Supper.
Other than the time at the village, there are plenty of other things to see and do in Michigan, especially if you love the outdoors. Visit the Great Lakes that are great for boating and swimming, visit Mackinac Island that’s loaded with history and Victorian charm, or explore the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and have some fun in the sun.
Spookiest Halloween Festivals Around The World: Find out more about the Hallowe’en in Greenfield Village event here
Have The Best Fright Of Your Life!
Take your next holiday to a whole new level and experience this spooktastic holiday in a different country! And just in case your heart can’t take all that fright, get your hands on fantastic coverage and enjoy up to 65% savings with our HLAS x YouTrip deals. And remember to take your YouTrip card along with you wherever you decide to go!
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Have a terrifying terrific time!
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