Recently updated on October 6th, 2022 at 04:37 pm
Almost every continent has its own spooktacular event that celebrates the grisly, gruesome and downright ghoulish. From macabre parades to ancient rituals, these spooky Halloween festivals around the world will transport you to the dark side.
Banks of the Foyle Carnival: Derry, Ireland
Halloween (or All Hallows’ Eve, as it was known) originated from the Celtic harvest festival Samhain, so it’s no surprise the Irish like to throw a good party. Derry’s four-day extravaganza sees the city come alive (or dead) with a riot of ghoulish events, parades, concerts, markets and fireworks. Over 80,000 people flock to participate in the devilish celebrations. In fact, Derry has been awarded the Best Halloween Destination in the World by USA Today.
Day of the Dead: Mexico City, Mexico
DÃa de Muertos is so important to Mexicans, it’s been named a national holiday. Celebrated the day after Halloween on 1st and 2nd November, it’s believed to be a time when families are reunited with the spirits of their ancestors. Festivities occur all across the country, though Mexico City holds striking a parade; you’ll instantly recognise the famous colourful skull iconography amongst the floats, marionettes, dancers and acrobats.
Hungry Ghost Festival: Hong Kong, China
What do ghosts like to eat? Offerings of watches, jewellery, money and food, apparently. China’s month-long Hungry Ghost Festival acknowledges the souls of the dead returning to roam the earth. If ignored, they will get up to mischief, hence the generous offerings being made. In Hong Kong, the Chiu Chow community hold many rituals as well as a three-day festival. In neighbourhoods, you’ll smell the aroma of burning incense wafting in the air and find offerings on the pavements.
Village Halloween Parade: New York, USA
A street pageant like no other, Greenwich Village’s Halloween Parade is a New York institution. With an assorted menagerie of wildly creative attendees wearing all manner of crazy costumes, the parade is the city’s main showcase of spine-chilling fun. Led by a procession of gigantic puppets, the parade of thousands is joined by countless bands playing music from all round the world. Expect zombies, Medusas and Ghostbusters galore.
Fed Gede: Haiti
Translating to ‘Festival of the Ancestors’, Fed Gede is a Voodoo holiday celebrated by some communities in Haiti. Similar to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, it takes place on the 2nd November and it is observed by feasting in honour of the gede – the spirits that surround us. Haitians typically make visits to cemeteries to pay respects to the ancestors, with offerings of fruit and coffee made to Baron Samedi (the cemetery gatekeeper) for health and prosperity.
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Image Credits: Day of the Dead © Greg Willis/Flickr. Derry © Greg Clark/Flickr. Hungry Ghost/Grungeman/Flickr. NYC © Paul Stein/Flickr.Fed Gede © Andrew Welch WikiCommons.