Halloween Around the World in 2022

What is Halloween and how is it celebrated around the world?

Halloween is just around the corner and we at Discover planet decided to write a blog post about this spooky holiday, where it began, and how it is celebrated around the world. If your country doesn’t celebrate Halloween and you want to be a part of the celebration why not consider traveling to these countries? But first, let us try to fully understand this festival.

History of Halloween

Halloween is a traditional celebration that began many years ago. Every year people celebrate this festival on the 31st night of October.

It all started in ancient Ireland where they celebrated the oldest version of Halloween, Samhain. They believed that the dead come back to Earth on the 31st of October. The Catholics replaced Samhain with the All saints Holy day (All Hallows) and celebrated it on the 1st of November, the night before Hallows Eve, now called Halloween.

How is it celebrated?

Although Halloween is a special festival, it is not a holiday. People are required to go to work and school. Regardless, there are so many traditions people follow to celebrate it.

– Costumes

Back in the day people disguised themselves in costumes so thought that the spirits wouldn’t recognize them. The tradition still goes on but not with the same beliefs. Kids and adults dress up in costumes mostly for Trick or Treat or Halloween parties.

– Decoration

Every October, families look forward to decorating their homes for Halloween. Since Halloween involves a specific theme the decorations usually involve ghosts, zombies, spider webs, pumpkins, black cats, and skeletons.

– Trick O Treat

It is an important part of the Halloween tradition where kids would go door to door disguised in fancy costumes. They sing rhymes and poems and get rewarded with candy and other delicious treats.

– Food

There are special kinds of food during the Halloween season such as candies in packets that are decorated with the Halloween theme, pumpkin pie and toffee apples, and Halloween beer.

What countries celebrate Halloween?

In the 18th and 19th centuries, Halloween started getting popular all around the world. There are so many countries that celebrate this holiday.

The United States of America

Halloween is one of the most popular holidays in America. It is also one of the most expensive holidays here. Kids celebrate by trick-or-treating, playing Halloween-themed games, watching horror films, and hosting Halloween costume parties decorate their houses/ classrooms following the Halloween theme.

Mexico

In Mexico, Halloween is celebrated as Dia de Los Muertos, or the Day of the Dead. The celebration starts on October 31st and goes on till November 2nd. Kids in Mexico go trick-or-treating and are rewarded with candy skulls.

The Halloween rituals are very special in a small town in Mexico city known as Mixquic and in a little island called Janitzio which is located in the state of Michoacan.

Canada

People here take a lot of effort into decorating their homes and yards. Just like in the US, dressing up in costumes and trick-or-treating are common activities here.

A long-term tradition during this time in Canada is the “Trick-or-Treat for Unicef.” There are various fundraising activities that schools and children develop such as Pumpkin-carving contests, pumpkin art tours, and costume competitions.

Japan

Japanese celebration of Halloween is influenced by American pop culture. Although it is celebrated in many parts of Japan Kobe and Osaka are the most popular hotspots for Halloween celebrations. Kawasaki Halloween is a famous Halloween parade in Japan that features over 3500 costumed participants.

Germany

Halloween is a very new celebration in Germany. It began only 25 years ago. Due to the growing popularity of the Halloween festival in Germany, many department stores display Halloween costumes for sale and Halloween-themed candy fills up all supermarket shelves.

Unlike in America, where Halloween costumes can be just about anything (vampires, movie characters, princesses) in Germany the costumes should be scary. Additionally, pumpkin festivals are another popular way of celebrating both fall and Halloween in Germany.