Halloween is celebrated worldwide in many unique and vibrant ways, combining local culture with traditional customs. Let’s take a look at how different destinations put their own twist on this spooky holiday.
5 interesting facts about Halloween
- Origins in ancient Celtic traditions: Halloween has its origins over 2,000 years to the Celtic festival of Samhain, where it was believed that the boundary between the living and the dead was blurred, allowing spirits to return to Earth. People would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off these wandering spirits.
- The World’s most expensive pumpkin: the record for the most expensive pumpkin ever sold was set in 2016 when a giant pumpkin grown by a farmer in Belgium was sold for $2,624. This pumpkin weighed a staggering 2,624 pounds and was displayed at a festival in Belgium.
- Trick-or-treating’s historical roots: the practice of trick-or-treating can be traced back to the Middle Ages when children and poor people would go door-to-door on Hallowmas (November 1) to collect food in exchange for prayers for the dead. This practice transformed over time into the modern custom of children dressing up and asking for candy.
- Halloween is a multi-billion dollar industry: Halloween is a major commercial holiday in the United States, with consumers spending an estimated $10 billion annually on costumes, decorations, candy, and other festive items, making it the second-largest commercial holiday after Christmas.
- The first Jack-o’-lanterns were made from turnips: the tradition of carving jack-o’-lanterns originated in Ireland, where people would carve turnips and potatoes to scare away evil spirits. When Irish immigrants came to America, they discovered pumpkins were larger and easier to carve, leading to the modern pumpkin jack-o’-lantern we know today.
Halloween traditions in Europe
In Europe, Halloween is growing in popularity, though it has often mixed with other regional traditions and festivals. Here’s how some European countries celebrate Halloween in ways that stand out:
Austria
In Austria, Halloween is often combined with the Catholic tradition of All Saints’ Day (November 1) and All Souls’ Day (November 2).
An interesting tradition called “Seelensuppe”. This involves leaving bread, water, and a lighted lamp out on the night of October 31 to welcome the spirits of the departed.
Austrians believe that souls return to Earth on this night, making Halloween a time for reflection and remembrance.
Germany
Halloween is increasingly popular in Germany, where it’s often celebrated with ghostly parades, costumes, and parties. Particularly in cities like Berlin and Munich, Halloween markets have emerged, selling everything from decorations to treats.
Germans have a custom of hiding knives on Halloween night. This meant to protect returning spirits and prevent harm to the family.
This holiday also precedes “Allerheiligen” (All Saints’ Day), when people visit cemeteries to honor the dead, merging modern festivities with long-standing traditions.
One popular Halloween treat is “Süßes oder Saures,” a candy that translates to “sweet or sour,” reflecting the trick-or-treat tradition.
Spain
Spain has adopted Halloween in recent years, with celebrations reaching their height in cities like Barcelona and Madrid, where parties, costume contests, and parades light up the night.
However, Spanish tradition combines Halloween with “El Día de los Muertos” (Day of the Dead) on November 1. Many people dress in costumes, attend festivals, and then visit family graves on All Saints’ Day. They honor their ancestors with flowers and offerings.
A traditional food enjoyed during this time is “Huesos de Santo,” marzipan bones filled with sweet cream, symbolizing the connection to the deceased.
source: https://www.elespanol.com
Halloween in Colombia, Brazil, and Argentina
Across South America, Halloween has grown in popularity, and countries have adapted it to fit their cultures and customs. Here’s how a few places have made Halloween their own:
Colombia
In Colombia, Halloween is known as “Día de los Niños” or “Day of the Children,” focusing primarily on kids. They dress up, do trick-or-treating, and enjoy festivities. Cities like Bogotá and Medellín host Halloween parties and parades, and businesses decorate in full Halloween festivities.
Colombians have also incorporated their love for music and dancing, making Halloween a fun, vibrant event for all ages.
On this night, children enjoy a popular treat called “bocadillo,” a sweet guava paste often served during celebrations.
Brazil
While Brazil doesn’t have a deep-rooted Halloween tradition, the holiday is becoming more popular, especially among younger generations. Some Brazilians celebrate “Dia das Bruxas” (Witches’ Day) with costume parties, haunted houses, and events.
In contrast, “Dia de Finados” (Day of the Dead) November 2 is a more serious occasion, during which families gather at cemeteries to honor loved ones.
During Halloween, many people enjoy “pamonha,” a sweet corn pudding that reflects the season’s harvest.
Argentina
Argentina has taken to Halloween in recent years, with costume parties, trick-or-treating, and spooky-themed events gaining popularity in cities like Buenos Aires. Many bars, restaurants, and clubs host Halloween parties with a distinctly Argentine flair.
Similar to other South American countries, Argentinians also honor their loved ones on “Día de los Muertos,” blending Halloween festivities with a respectful nod to family traditions.
Traditional Halloween treats include “alfajores,” cookies filled with dulce de leche, often enjoyed during this festive season.
source: https://alfajoreslaasuncion.wordpress.com/category/dia-de-muertos/
Halloween in South East Asia and Morocco
In Asia and Africa, Halloween isn’t a widespread celebration, but certain regions have adopted it or incorporated aspects into existing festivals.
South East Asia
Halloween is popular in several countries in South East Asia, especially in urban areas and tourist hotspots like Thailand, Singapore, and the Philippines.
Thailand, for example, hosts lively Halloween parties and events in cities like Bangkok and Phuket, often featuring elaborate costumes, haunted house attractions, and themed parties.
In the Philippines, Halloween merges with “Undas,” a holiday similar to All Saints’ Day. Families visit cemeteries to honor the dead, sometimes camping overnight with food and candles.
In Thailand, traditional treats such as “Khanom” (sweet rice cakes) are popular during Halloween festivities.
Morocco
In Morocco, Halloween is not a traditional holiday. It has slowly made its way into the urban nightlife scene, particularly in cities like Casablanca and Marrakech, where Western influences are more noticeable.
Halloween-themed parties, costume events, and pumpkin decorations are increasingly common in the country’s tourist areas and expat communities, though Moroccan culture doesn’t have an indigenous equivalent to the celebration.
Moroccans enjoy “pomegranate juice” during gatherings, believed to bring good fortune and prosperity.
Halloween around the World: a celebration of culture and tradition
Halloween may have originated with Celtic roots, but today it’s celebrated in ways that reflect the diversity and uniqueness of different cultures. Whether it’s the reflective customs of Austria, the festive parades in Colombia, or the fusion of traditions in South East Asia,
Halloween offers a fascinating insight into how communities worldwide honor both the spooky and the sacred.