Ghosts, parades and legends: How Halloween is celebrated around the world

This Halloween, we’re giving you six countries you can visit to celebrate the dead.

Read more: Be creepy! 13 Halloween movies to watch this weekend

Dia de Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico

Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a month-long festival celebrated in Oaxaca, Mexico City and various cities throughout the country to honor deceased loved ones. The holiday emphasizes the belief that the spirits of the dead return to enjoy earthly pleasures such as food, music and time with family.

True to the Disney rendition of a beloved children’s film. Cocolocals go all out to celebrate Día de Muertos – so much so that some even claim it’s a bigger holiday than Christmas in the country.

The highlight of the holiday is a three-day festival in early November (or late October, depending on the area), during which people create ofrendas (altars) at home or in cemeteries, decorating them with flowers, candles, photographs and favorite foods. deceased to celebrate his life.

Across Mexico, public parks bloom with colorful decorations, while light shows, live music, dance performances and cemetery parties enliven the night. Locals also paint themselves with sugar skulls and take to the streets. In Mexico City, the Parade of Souls fills the streets with floats, dancers and skeleton costumes, making it a must-see event.

When: October 31 – November 2

Where: Mexico City, Oaxaca and throughout Mexico.

visitmexico.com

Witches Ball, Salem, USA

Salem’s deep connection with the supernatural stems from the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, where fear of witchcraft led to the execution of innocent people.

After years of being called the “Witch Capital” of the United States, Salem has embraced its spooky history by hosting haunted tours, psychic readings and costume events known as “Haunted Happenings” throughout the month of October.

The month-long festival offers a variety of exciting experiences, including a haunted Salem magic show, a potion bar making class, the Salem Psychic Faire and Witch Market, as well as ghost hunts, trivia games, and visits to haunted museums. show.

Above all, the most anticipated event of the season is the infamous Witches’ Ball, where witches and “mortals” gather for a night of magic, music, ritual and games. This event prides itself on being one of the most magical Halloween parties in the world, and every year those interested in the holiday of witchcraft rejoice and cast spells in Salem.

When: October 25

Where: Washington Square West, Salem, Massachusetts

www.hauntedhappenings.org

Halloween Festival in Sydney, Australia.

Australia may celebrate Halloween in a spring-like way, but it’s no less exciting.

For those looking for a spooky encounter at the Down Under, Ghost in the Rocks, Sydney is hosting a number of free and ticketed events over the Halloween weekend. Visitors can enjoy a variety of activities, including ghost sightings, exciting entertainment and family activities, all set against the backdrop of breathtaking views of the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

If you want to narrow down your choices, we recommend three main steps.

Visit Two-Face Market, where the Rock Market transforms from a charming market filled with pumpkins and handcrafted goods during the day to a chilling shopping mall at night, filled with witches, potions, cauldrons and spooky merchandise.

If you’re a fan of ghosts, get tickets to a thrilling show at the Ghost Outdoor Cinema from Arnott’s Treatles. However, be careful: when you put on the headset, anything can happen.

For those who love dressing up for Halloween, the Sydney Halloween Parade at The Rocks is the place to be. Don your best Halloween costumes and march through the streets with your fellow ghouls and terrifying villains.

When: October 31 – November 3

Where: The Rocks, Sydney

ghostfestival.com.au

Halloween Carnival Parade, Derry, Northern Ireland

Where better to experience Europe’s largest Halloween festival than in a city rooted in ancient Celtic traditions? Northern Ireland’s Derry Halloween takes the crown and it gets spookier every year.

Derry celebrates Halloween as part of the traditions of Samhain, a time when the Celts believed the barrier between the living and the dead was at its weakest. Over the years, the Halloween tradition has evolved from supernatural scares to a modern carnival Halloween parade featuring street performers, light floats, and fireworks.

This year’s Halloween in Derry is themed ‘City of Bones’ – a shared celebration of imagination, folklore and wonder. It begins with the Walled City Awakening trail, where guests encounter eerie installations, circus performers and creepy characters, while learning about Samhain and the myths and legends of Derry along the way.

There are also family-friendly activities suitable for your little monsters who love scary encounters and fur babies who love treats. For those seeking a more thrilling experience, after dark activities offer a thrilling experience not for the faint of heart.

The highlight of the festival will be the Carnival of the Dead, which will showcase creative talent from different communities. Locals often join in the fun, dressed in their best costumes, marching through the area and enjoying the fun.

When: October 28-31

Where: Derry, Northern Ireland

derryhalloween.com

Night Tours in Manila, Philippines

While the Philippines traditionally celebrates All Saints’ Day with families gathering at cemeteries to honor their deceased loved ones, a new trend has emerged – night tours to the country’s most haunted places.

A special tour that has caught the attention of locals is One Night in Intramuros, an overnight tour of one of Manila’s most famous tourist destinations. During the day, tourists explore Intramuros to learn about the rich history of the Philippines, from centuries of Spanish colonization to key nationalist movements that influenced its independence. The historic walled area is home to Spanish-era landmarks, stunning architecture and centuries-old churches.

But when night falls, Intramuros becomes the setting for chilling stories, many of them based on the brutal events of the Spanish, American and Japanese occupation. The One Night in Intramuros tour will take participants to key locations, revisiting dark chapters of Manila’s past.

While it may not be the most colorful way to celebrate Halloween, the tour attracts history buffs and curious visitors eager to explore the city’s eerie past through the lens of historical horror.

When: Specific dates in October and November

Where: Intramuros, Manila, Philippines

wondermanila.com

Halloween in Hong Kong

Halloween in Hong Kong is a season-long holiday. Although Halloween does not have ancient roots in Hong Kong culture, the influence of Western films and expat communities has made Halloween a popular holiday.

Since September, spooky events, interactive events and mesmerizing and creative costume parties have been transforming the city.

Of course, you’ll find the most exciting activities in more densely populated areas. Lan Kwai Fong, the city’s popular nightlife district, becomes a bustling hub for costumed street parties and bar crawls. Meanwhile, Hong Kong Disneyland is transformed into a haunted wonderland with parades and themed attractions throughout October.

When: from September to November 2

Where: Hong Kong

discoverhongkong.com