Are you curious about the countries that celebrate Halloween? Every year on October 31, people celebrate Halloween, commonly referred to as “All Hallows’ Eve.”
In the United States, Halloween is a massive deal. In 2021, consumers are expected to spend over US$10 billion on costumes, decorations, candy and other Halloween-related items.
Halloween has never been just an American holiday, despite this. Halloween came into being in Europe and is currently becoming more and more popular among many individuals from many countries and spiritual beliefs.
The exact nature of the expedition, however, differs greatly throughout the states. For example, many other nations still celebrate Halloween with less trick-or-treating and less grisly costumes.
In the meantime, Halloween in the US usually revolves around traditions and costumes of various kinds.
Furthermore, All Souls’ Day and Da de Los Muertos are sometimes coupled with Halloween because they occur around the same time. Let’s talk about countries that celebrate Halloween.
Countries that Celebrate Halloween
1. The United States
In the United States, where it is observed on October 31 and loved by both adults and children, Halloween has grown incredibly popular.
The American favorite Halloween activities include costume shopping and carving pumpkins into jack-o’-lanterns.
Additionally, trick-or-treating comprises knocking on doors, yelling out “trick or treat,” and getting candy in exchange. Spooky activities related to the pastime, such sharing scary stories and visiting “haunted houses” or horror movies, are also popular.
In addition, Halloween offers the customary goodies for individuals, such as sweet corn, apples wrapped in caramel and meals with pumpkin flavors. Ireland and Canada have similar customs.
2. Canada
One of the few nations that observe Halloween is Canada. It is well-known and often observed in Canada, just like it is in the USA. Trick-or-treating and costume parties abound throughout this lively and joyous evening.
Trick or treat is a reference to Halloween that was first used in Canada’s Declaration of Independence in 1927. This was reported in a newspaper story from Alberta, Canada, once: “Pranksters have been touring properties demanding both a trick or treat.”
3. The United Kingdom
In addition to the Gaelic holiday of Samhain, the English, Welsh, Scots, and Irish all celebrate Halloween.
In the UK, Halloween, as it has been Americanized, hasn’t always been a huge affair. November 5th is Guy Fawkes Day, and in the past, it has been more exciting in England than Halloween.
Nevertheless, in the UK, you’ll probably see costumes, pumpkins and kids trick-or-treating. Ofrendas, or private altars, are made and given as presents to the departed.
4. Germany
Among the nations that celebrate Halloween is Germany. Halloween celebrations are very new in Germany.
Alternatively, putting blades away at night on Halloween to prevent injury from resurrected souls is one of the ancient customs associated with All Souls Day.
These days, local teenagers and foreign English teachers enjoy dressing up and coming together for drinks and parties in the bars and golf equipment around in mostly urban areas, especially college towns. Now is the ideal moment to don your vintage Beethoven costume!
5. India
Even though it’s not a major festival in the country, expats from Brazil have a great Halloween and many locals are more than happy to join in the fun!
Caipirinhas, batucada, and vibrant parades with drum music are examples of the local flavor! Finding a Halloween birthday celebration is convenient, as are the majority of Rio de Janeiro’s eateries, pubs and golf courses.
Participate in the excitement by attending the distinctive Halloween evenings and eerie celebrations, especially in the Lapa neighborhood!
6. Spain
Unlike Halloween in most other European nations, Halloween in Spain has a distinct, cozy atmosphere. Like in Mexico, Spain observes El Dia de los Muertos, sometimes called All Souls’ Day.
Halloween is a three-day holiday celebrated in Spain. On October 31, it is known as Dia de las Brujas or Day of the Witches; on November 1, it is known as All Saints’ Day; and on November 2, it is known as Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
On the public holiday known as Dia de Todos Los Santos, families pay respects and visit the graves of their lost loved ones while sharing holy water, flowers, food and beverages.
Nevertheless, Halloween celebrations differ from place to place. For example, Halloween customs in Galicia, Spain, combine elements of Celtic and modern Halloween customs with the Catholic practice of visiting the graves of lost loved ones.
7. Poland
Poland is the next country on our list of countries that celebrate Halloween. While certain Polish groups may decorate storefronts for Halloween and host costume parties, the majority of Polish people are mostly unaware of these customs.
As a result, Poland’s Americanized take on Halloween has lost ground. Polish people celebrate Forefathers’ Eve, a lively Slavic tradition that has been blended with All Souls’ Day, a Christian holiday observed on November 2.
There could also be a silent procession to the ancestors’ graves on Forefathers’ Eve, during which a burial candle is lit and placed on the graves of friends, partners and children.
More noticeable places are also put at dining tables on this particular night, so the spirits of the worthless can also phase in. Remaining food is brought to the graveyard after supper.
8. Italy
Halloween is becoming more and more popular in Italy. On the other hand, many celebrate La Festa di Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day) on November 1 and Il Giorno dei Morti (All Souls’ Day) on November 2 with a variety of activities and celebrations.
On the Sardinian island of Concas de Mortu, or “heads of the dead,” pumpkin carving is a popular celebration of All Souls’ Day. The trip departs on October 31 and runs through All Souls’ Day on November 2.
Despite the fact that there isn’t much trick-or-treating and that regional traditions differ, Italians enjoy All Souls’ Day with departed loved ones.
9. The island of Sardinia
Sardinia completes our list of nations that commemorate Halloween. There are many similarities between the Celtic custom and the three-day weekend. Praise of the dead notwithstanding, it was originally a pagan celebration.
The Catholic Church also observes a memorial service for the deceased on November 2, a holiday associated with harvesting and the moment when, in custom, the living and the dead come into contact.
Everyone participates in this extremely old rite. It claims that on the nights of October 31 and November 1, the dead were free to walk the earth and that there was not enough space between the two realms to prevent their souls from moving freely.
With a bag or pillowcase in hand, teenagers in Sardinia prowl the city, knocking on doors and enquiring, “Close is animals.”
To commemorate the day, families make brown bread or the customary sweet saba (Pabassinas), to give to teenagers who knock on doors. Orange pumpkins are visible in several parts of Sardinia, particularly in Barbagia.
The majority of the customs observed here are still derived from bygone eras. It reminds us of the ancient customs followed in Corsica and Sardinia, especially the stealing of skulls from cemeteries in order to cause rain.
All this leads us full circle to the Nuragic and we think that Sardinia observed this anniversary back then, as ancient as it once was—Halloween for the ancient druids.
10. Mexico
Halloween, sometimes called “El DÃa de Los Muertos” (the day of the dead) in several Spanish-speaking nations, is a three-day holiday that starts on October 31 and ends on November 2.
Families commemorate the passing of loved ones and the enduring nature of life during this time of year. It’s also the time of year when monarch butterflies, which are believed to carry the souls of the dearly dead who are returning home, migrate back to Mexico from the north. Families place candy, bread and flowers on altars next to family photos.
11. Greece
Greece is another country that celebrates Halloween. Halloween is mostly observed by taking advantage of the potential of foreign visitors and residents at hotels and pubs.
But the same competition, known as “The Apokrias,” is observed by Greeks in February. Adolescents dress up for this competition, calling on their buddies to see if they can guess who is who.
Sweets and cakes are also overindulged in, and in large cities, parades reminiscent of a carnival are staged down the main thoroughfares.
Were you aware that the Greeks have a recipe for “Kolokythopita,” or “Greek Pumpkin Pie”?
12. Hong Kong
On Halloween, Hong Kong is acknowledged as the Halloween capital of Asia. Hong Kong has two customs related to Halloween.
The first is called the Festival of the Hungry Ghosts, or “Yue Lan.” It places less focus on the festivities. Alternatively, you might provide comfort and deter the spirits of the deceased by offering them gifts.
American or Canadian expatriates participate in the second, more marketed competition. Every year, Hong Kong Disneyland organizes the Halloween Bash. Every year, bars in Lan Kwai Fong are well-known for hosting Halloween parties.
Although trick-or-treating is not as popular in Hong Kong, it is attempted on some occasions at Avenue of the Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui.
13. Romania
Romania is one of the few countries that celebrate Halloween. There’s no better place to celebrate Halloween than Vlad the Impaler’s house, often known as Dracula. Explore a ghostly medieval fort in Tran throughout the night.
14. The Middle East and Syria
Saint Barbara’s Day, or Eid il-Barbara, is a celebration that resembles Halloween a lot. Every year on December 4th, Arab Christians in Israel, the Palestinian Territories, Lebanon, Syria, and Jordan commemorate it. In honor of the Christian Saint and Martyr Saint Barbara, it is observed.
Syrian and Lebanese Christians shared the belief that Saint Barbara escaped the Romans, who were persecuting her, by dressing herself in a variety of unusual garments.
This holiday and Halloween, which is observed on October 31st globally, share many parallels. Kids dress up and go trick-or-treating as the streets are decorated with well-known items like carved pumpkins.
