As the witching hour approaches, thrill-seekers and fans of the paranormal are gearing up for the spookiest night of the year – Halloween! But why settle for the same old routine when you can embark on a journey to the most haunted, eerie, and downright terrifying destinations around the world? Where are the best places to travel for Halloween? Whether you’re a ghost hunter, a horror movie buff, or simply looking for a unique travel experience, these spellbinding locations are guaranteed to make your Halloween one to remember. So, pack your bags, grab your costume, and join us (me and nationalparkshops) on a journey to the most unforgettable Halloween destinations on earth!
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New York City
New York City has become a Halloween hotspot, featuring unique celebrations. The Greenwich Village Halloween Parade is a highlight, showcasing elaborate costumes and performances. Haunted houses and themed parties enhance the spooky vibe throughout the city. Central Park hosts family-oriented fun, including pumpkin patches and Halloween attractions. The Bronx Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo” includes haunted trails and activities. Nightlife in NYC thrives with costume parties at restaurants, bars, and clubs. Exploring during Halloween reveals the creativity of locals and visitors alike, creating an exciting experience.
Enjoy these activities during the Halloween celebration in NYC:
- Join or watch the famous Halloween Parade known for its stunning costumes and lively atmosphere.
- Visit haunted houses like Blood Manor or Nightmare: New York for thrills.
- Dress up for Halloween-themed parties at various bars and clubs.
- Engage in family-friendly events such as pumpkin carving and spooky storytelling in Central Park.
- Experience the Bronx Zoo’s “Boo at the Zoo” with haunted trails and hayrides.
- Explore museums or take guided tours focused on ghost stories and eerie artefacts.
- Catch horror movie screenings outdoors or in classic cinemas for a spooky film experience.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a prime Halloween destination, rich in cultural celebration. The city energetically embraces this spooky season, highlighting its haunted past with various activities. The French Quarter buzzes with costumed participants, elaborate parades, and lively street festivities. Haunted tours through historic areas provide chilling glimpses into the city’s ghostly history. Visit the famous above-ground cemeteries for an eerie adventure. Voodoo Fest offers a multi-day music celebration that fuses live performances, art, and supernatural elements. Enjoy themed cocktails and dishes at haunted restaurants and bars. With its blend of intrigue and fun, New Orleans guarantees a captivating Halloween experience.
The activities during Halloween celebrations in New Orleans:
- Join the vibrant Halloween parade featuring decorated floats and costumed performers in a spooky setting.
- Take guided tours delving into the city’s haunted history while visiting creepy sites and hearing ghost stories.
- Walk through the French Quarter on guided tours that reveal its infamous supernatural events.
- Experience scares at haunted houses like the Mortuary Haunted Mansion.
- Attend the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience, a multi-day festival with live music and Halloween-themed fun.
- Explore unique above-ground cemeteries, such as St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, and learn about burial practices and notable graves.
- Participate in costume parties at local bars and clubs to showcase your Halloween outfits and enjoy the nightlife.
- Go on guided pub crawls through haunted bars and taverns, experiencing New Orleans’ spirited nightlife.
- Dine at haunted restaurants known for their spooky atmospheres and supernatural encounters.
- Visit Voodoo and witchcraft shops to discover mystical traditions and purchase unique items.
London, England
London’s Halloween celebration combines rich history, folklore, and modern fun. The city, known for its ghostly stories and haunted spots, offers numerous events during the spooky season. Options include haunted walking tours and ghostly cruises on the Thames for those seeking adventure. Historic sites like the Tower of London and Hampton Court Palace host special Halloween activities, showcasing their eerie backgrounds. The West End features themed theater productions, adding a dramatic flair to the festivities. Nightclubs, pubs, and bars also host costume parties and themed nights, enhancing the vibrant nightlife. This blend of historical intrigue and modern celebration makes Halloween in London truly magical.
Enjoy various Halloween activities in London:
- Explore London’s dark past with interactive exhibits and live actors.
- Join guided ghost tours at haunted sites like the Tower of London or East End locations linked to Jack the Ripper.
- Catch Halloween-themed shows in the West End featuring spooky plays and musicals.
- Watch classic and contemporary horror films in local cinemas.
- Visit attractions like the Phobophobia maze at The London Bridge Experience for thrills.
- Attend costume parties and raves at various venues.
- Participate in pumpkin carving workshops to create spooky jack-o’-lanterns.
- Indulge in themed afternoon teas with eerie treats at select hotels and tea rooms.
- Try Halloween-inspired escape rooms with puzzles set in haunted environments.
- Engage in a séance or paranormal experience for a taste of the supernatural.
Transylvania, Romania
What better place to celebrate Halloween than the home of the legendary Count Dracula? For an authentic spooky experience, join the throngs of visitors who travel to Transylvania to enjoy Halloween near Bran Castle, known as Dracula’s Castle. The thick forests in the mountainous Transylvania create a naturally eerie atmosphere for the occasion.
Additionally, Romania boasts several other haunted castles, ruins, and a variety of events in Bucharest. On November 1, Romanians observe “Day of the Dead,” followed closely by the Feast of St. Andrew on November 30, both featuring customs reminiscent of traditional All Hallows’ Eve.
Top Suggestions: Attend the Dracula Film Festival and enjoy Halloween dinner at Bran Castle.
Las Vegas, Nevada
Las Vegas becomes a thrilling destination for Halloween, showcasing its signature style of extravagance and entertainment. The renowned Las Vegas Strip buzzes with elaborate costumes, themed events, and lively nightclubs, all competing for attention with their opulent decorations and distinctive happenings. Haunted attractions and mazes emerge across the city, delivering exciting and eerie experiences.
Casinos feature costume competitions, live shows, and themed slot machine tournaments, fully embracing the holiday spirit. The famed Fremont Street Experience transforms into a grand Halloween celebration, featuring concerts, performances, and an influx of costumed partygoers. Vegas provides a dynamic, high-energy Halloween festivity, where imagination and celebration come together in a dazzling display of lights, music, and spooky fun.
Alton Towers, Staffordshire, England
Alton Towers is one of the top destinations in the UK for Halloween. This theme park is not only renowned globally but also hosts the annual ‘Scarefest.’
Located in Staffordshire, England, Alton Towers features extensive grounds, forests, and natural lakes. During Scarefest, the woods are transformed with eerie decorations designed to frighten visitors. The gardens are beautifully lit up, adding a magical touch to your stroll.
Adventure enthusiasts can buy extra ‘scare mazes’ scattered throughout the park, each showcasing a unique horror theme. You can opt for a discounted pass for all mazes or pay for each maze individually. Booking a time slot is essential but can easily be done through the Alton Towers app.
Several rides become more thrilling during Halloween. Wickerman, a wooden roller coaster, appears especially terrifying as it is illuminated with flames. Alternatively, you can scream while riding Th13teen, the world’s first vertical free fall drop rollercoaster, located in the dark forest. Best of all, during Scarefest, the park remains open until 9pm, allowing you to enjoy everything under the night sky.
Alton Towers ranks as one of the finest theme parks in Europe, and Halloween brings an extra layer of excitement. Now it’s time to pick your costume.
Paris, France
Paris may not initially seem like a Halloween destination, but there are plenty of activities to enjoy. Begin with a visit to the eerie Catacombs of Paris, a sprawling underground ossuary filled with skeletons. For more excitement, check out Père Lachaise Cemetery, where notable figures like Jim Morrison, Oscar Wilde, and Chopin are interred.
If you’re looking for something more suitable for kids, head straight to Disneyland Paris. The park celebrates Halloween throughout October and into November, but the biggest festivities happen on the 31st, featuring haunted houses, spooky attractions, and iconic Disney villains roaming the grounds.
Derry, Northern Ireland
Halloween has its roots in Celtic festivals like Samhain. Therefore, it’s not surprising that the Irish celebrate Halloween with flair. Common traditions include fortune-telling, bonfires, enjoying fruitcakes, and dressing up in costumes. Derry City in Ireland hosts Europe’s largest Halloween festival, the Banks of Foyle Halloween Carnival. This event features haunted houses, ghost tours, parades, storytelling, and much more.
Additionally, the Spirits of Meath festival offers a more laid-back atmosphere with pumpkin carving contests. With Derry being known for its outstanding celebrations, it’s an ideal starting point for your Halloween festivities.
Top Recommendations: Halloween Carnival Parade, Fireworks display at River Foyle, Shadow dancing and fire-breathing show at St Columb’s Park.
Venice & Corinaldo, Italy
In Italy, All Saints’ Day and the following All Souls’ Day are very significant occasions. These two days are particularly important in Venice. Celebrations differ across regions, with Venice hosting one of the most popular events. It might seem like an odd choice for Halloween, but locals dress in costumes and explore various haunted islands nearby.
Additionally, there are often impressive masquerade balls to celebrate the event. A traditional cookie called ‘Fave dei Morti,’ offered to the deceased, is a favorite treat in Venice. Corinaldo also brands itself as the Italian Capital of Halloween, known for its eerie attractions and an annual fire festival on October 31.
Top Recommendations: Ghost Tour in Rialto and San Marco Square, Festivities at the Palazzina Grassi.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam offers a range of Halloween experiences, from family-oriented activities to adult-themed events like the Obscene Halloween. During this time, the city transforms into a lively party scene with various celebrations taking place throughout. It features inventive costume parties and themed gatherings in cafés, restaurants, clubs, and even museums.
Visitors can join ghost tours, music concerts, or marathon screenings of horror films. Don’t miss the iconic Monster Ball or the Amsterdam Halloween Festival. In addition to Halloween at the end of October, the city also celebrates Sint Maarten on November 11th, its own version of Halloween.
Top Recommendations: Amsterdam Dungeon, Ghost Walk, Haunted Halloween at Panama.
Hong Kong, China
At first, only a small group participated in the eerie festivities, but as more people got into the Halloween spirit, Hong Kong earned the title of Halloween Capital of Asia. Known for its love of celebrations, the city buzzes with excitement as Halloween approaches. Similar to other countries, this festival is observed to ward off evil spirits and negative influences, while also honoring those who have passed away. Hong Kong has wholeheartedly adopted Halloween customs and all associated activities.
Theme parks like Disneyland and Ocean Park host numerous special events, including the popular annual Halloween Bash, featuring themed costumes, food, and beverages. Visitors can also experience the Lan Kwai Fong Halloween Street Party and the more traditional Hungry Ghost Festival (Yue Lan), where offerings are made to the spirits of the deceased.
Top Recommendations: Celebrate Halloween at Disneyland and Ocean Park.
Edinburgh, Scotland
Similar to Ireland, Scotland shares Celtic heritage and has numerous traditions associated with Samhain. Even after Christianity’s rise, many of these practices continued. These include “guising,” where children dress in costumes and go door-to-door with turnip lanterns to collect sweets or coins, as well as apple bobbing, which involves trying to grab an apple submerged in water using just your mouth. Halloween is deeply embedded in Scottish culture and has inspired various poems, notably ‘Halloween’ by Robert Burns. He describes Halloween as a night when witches, devils, and other mischievous beings roam during their sinister midnight activities.
If you’re visiting Scotland this Halloween, be sure to explore Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, known for its eerie vaults, underground paths, and unsolved enigmas.
Recommended activities: Haunted Underground Vaults and Graveyard Tour, Creepy Edinburgh Castle, Ghost Bus Tour.
Salem, Massachusetts
Salem is a small town rich in haunted history, where 26 individuals were tried and executed for witchcraft. Renowned for its witch hunts in the 17th century, Salem has drawn those fascinated by the eerie for many years. Even now, it is referred to as ‘The Witch City’ due to its numerous museums and memorials dedicated to the victims of these hunts.
The coastal town elegantly celebrates Halloween with events throughout the entire month, kicking off with a grand parade in early October and concluding with a fireworks show on Halloween evening. There are also various carnival rides, ghost tours, elegant balls, themed parties, and other family-friendly activities.
Top Suggestions: Join in the festival of the dead and attend the renowned Witches’ Halloween Ball.
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FAQs
Where is the biggest Halloween festival in the world?
The coastal town of Salem, known for its witch trials in the 17th century, holds the biggest Halloween celebration globally. Over 500,000 people attend to take part in its month-long festivities featuring a variety of events.
What city has the best Halloween decorations?
For three consecutive years, Utah residents have been recognized as the top decorators for Halloween. Even before October arrives, decorations like spider webs, crows, pumpkins, and skeletons can be spotted throughout the neighborhoods.
Where’s the best place to celebrate Halloween with family?
One of the top choices is Orlando, Florida, particularly with events like SeaWorld’s Halloween Spooktacular running from August 31 to November 3, 2024. This event features a trick-or-treat trail, live character interactions, and festive activities like cookie decorating and a Halloween parade, making it ideal for younger children.
Another excellent option is Cedar Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, which hosts HalloWeekends on select nights throughout September and October. This event combines thrilling rides with spooky attractions, including haunted houses and family-friendly activities such as pumpkin decorating and costume contests.
In Manitou Springs, Colorado, the Emma Crawford Festival offers a unique blend of local lore and family fun. Scheduled for October 26, 2024, it features coffin races and various activities that engage families in a festive atmosphere.
These locations not only offer thrilling experiences but also create memorable moments for families celebrating Halloween together.
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