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Halloween is my favorite holiday. Its roots may be based in Celtic and Christian traditions (and much of what we think about during spooky season is uniquely American), but Halloween has become a global phenomenon. Here are some of the best places around the world to celebrate Halloween.
Salem, MA
The site of the infamous Salem witch trials of the 17th century, makes Salem a great place for some haunted history. Every October, this charming New England town transforms into a Halloween destination. Events include haunted house tours, costume parades, and reenactments of the witch trials.
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans never misses a chance to throw a great party and Halloween is no exception. The city is known for its voodoo culture and eerie cemeteries. You can join the vibrant parade or take a ghost tour to explore the French Quarter’s haunted history.
Transylvania, Romania
Why not go straight to the heart of vampire lore? Transylvania, the home of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, is a must-visit for any true Halloween enthusiast (and I’ll be there this year). (More here.) Explore Bran, take guided tours through the spooky forest, and enjoy an immersive Halloween party. The area around Bran castle also does it up with lots of kitschy souvenirs this time of year.
Derry-Londonderry, Northern Ireland
Derry-Londonderry has a rich Celtic heritage and is an ideal place to celebrate. This is birthplace of Halloween with the Samhain festival having originated in Celtic Ireland. The city’s annual Derry Halloween celebration includes a parade, haunted tours, and numerous other spooky events.
Mexico City, Mexico
Halloween might be a mostly American holiday, but in Mexico it combines with the Dia de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead) for a colorful and fun celebration. The streets are filled with sugar skulls, marigolds, and candlelit altars. It’s a nice way to remember lost loved ones and celebrate memories of them.
Tokyo, Japan
Halloween is not traditionally a Japanese holiday, but the city fully embraces the spooky season. You’ll find incredible costume parties, parades, and a unique blend of traditional Japanese and Western Halloween elements throughout.
Hong Kong, China
Halloween in Hong Kong blends traditional Chinese festivals with Western-style celebrations. Visit Ocean Park or Disneyland during this season to experience the theme parks’ fantastic Halloween entertainment.
Anthony’s Take: No matter where you choose to celebrate Halloween, you’re sure to find a fun way to party, explore history, or get scared (in the best ways possible). Pack your costume, sharpen your fangs, and get ready for the scariest time of year to travel to these cities.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
