Halloween comes from the European celebration of “All Hallows’ Eve”, it’s the eve of the Christian day of All Saint’s Day. People used to celebrate the saints on this festival, including dressing up as Saints and going door-to-door reciting songs and asking people for ‘soul cakes’ which ultimately turned into trick and treating.
Most of the Halloween customs followed by us now are influenced by the festival of ‘Samhain’ of the ancient Gaelic, which was celebrated at the end of October for the changing of the seasons, involving connecting with the dead. So, with Halloween around the corner, we present you with 6 places where it is best to spend this night to get your best Halloween experience.
1. Salem, Massachusetts
Popularly known as the ‘witch town’, Salem lives up to its expectations owing to Halloween celebrations. Halloween celebrations in Salem go around for the whole month, it has been known to be America for Hollywood’s Halloween because of the vast crowd it attracts. It is filled with several events and places to visit like the Salem Witch Museum, Bewitched After Dark Salem Walking Tours, Gallows Hill, Haunted Footsteps Ghost Tour, Halloween Cruises etc.
2. Hong Kong, China
Hong Kong has been known as Asia’s Halloween capital, it celebrates Halloween with embracement, and the spirit of Halloween can truly be seen in places like Disneyland and Ocean Park, Hong Kong also happens to have more than amazing Halloween-based parties which mesmerize people. Howling street blowouts, along with parades and visual trick-and-treat performances can be seen. 
3. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexican people believe that the dead visit people at least once in their afterlife. Truly Mexicans celebrate ‘Dia de Los Muertos’ or ‘the day of the dead on 2nd November, but the celebrations of their festival start on the 31st of October. Unlike Halloween Mexicans celebrate their festival with a spirit of joy, they decorate their houses with theme-based decorations and mainly orange-yellow flowers as required to guide the souls to the right places in their houses.
According to them on 31st October, the souls are received on earth and by 2nd November after sunset, they meet at the graves of their loved ones together, bringing gifts for the deceased and to celebrate the end of the festival. Although the day of the dead is celebrated in all cities in Mexico, it slightly different and unique to witness in Tuxtepec, which is also known as the cultural capital of Mexico.
4. Brussels, Belgium
4. Brussels, Belgium
Belgium has begun to have Halloween as a full-blown celebrating festival is probably the best way possible. Brussels in Belgium takes Halloween celebrations to the next level by holding a ‘blood bath’, the city’s swimming pool is painted red and the use of red dye is prominent in the water, and costumed children are allowed to swim in that pool.
Many ghost tours and parties also occur in the city. Another city with amazing celebrations is Ostend, which hosts creepy costume parades, ghoulish events etc.
5. Venice, Italy
Italy happens to make a pretty big deal about Halloween celebrations. Along with the usual decorating and partying and hosting events Venice does a unique tour where people dress up for Halloween and visit nearby islands which are haunted in real, safety precautions owing to accidents around such areas have t taken for genuine reasons.
In Italy, you can also witness a large number of masquerade balls in the name of Halloween celebrations. Corinaldo in Italy also has a good celebration with its ‘fire festival’ on Halloween, hence also being called the Italian capital of Halloween.
6. Scotland
6. Scotland
Scotland also has Celtic roots and Halloween here is related to the Samhain culture. Children in Scotland often practice ‘guising’ on Halloween which is a custom where they go door to door with lanterns, made from turnips, in costumes for coins or sweets. Apple dunking is another custom where you have to get an apple out of a bucket of water with nothing but your mouth.
Halloween is so engraved in Scottish culture that there have been various poems from the length of time written by Scottish people on Halloween. Edinburgh’s Royal Mile happens to be a must-visit place in Scotland for Halloween, with its underground passages, unsolved mysteries and creepy vaults.
These are only a few of the places to power up your Halloween spirits. Some more places to visit would be, Ireland for its Spirits of Meath festival in Meath, London for its London Dungeons and the Jack the Ripper Walk, and Transylvania for a stay on the night of the dead in Bran Castle where you will also be a part of the Romanian’s celebration on 1st November and the Feast of St. Andrew on 30th November.
Written By: Sofia Choudhary
Edited By: Nidhi Jha
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