Once a Celtic festival marking the end of harvest, Halloween has grown into a global celebration mixing ancient folklore with modern fun. From Ireland’s bonfires to Spain’s ghost tours and Australia’s springtime parades, discover how countries around the world put their own spin on 31st October.
Halloween’s roots reach back over 2,000 years to Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the shift from light to dark. Over centuries, it evolved through Christianity and Irish migration, spreading across Europe, North America and beyond. Today, each country adds its own flavour to the festival of ghosts, gourds and ghoulish delight.
Contents
- Ireland – where it all began
- United States – home of modern Halloween
- Canada – folklore and festive fu
- Spain – three days of spirits, saints and sweet chestnuts
- France – honouring the saints, not the spirits
- Italy – Ognissanti and the day of remembrance
- Australia – springtime spirits with a sunny twist
- New Zealand – community, creativity and Kiwi flair
- Summary
Ireland – where it all began
Ireland is the birthplace of Halloween. The festival of Samhain marked the Celtic New Year, when spirits were believed to cross into the living world. People lit bonfires to ward off evil and carved faces into turnips long before pumpkins took over.
Today, Ireland embraces both old and new traditions. The Derry Halloween Festival is one of Europe’s largest, drawing visitors from around the world with parades, fire shows and haunting street performances. Many Irish towns still host bonfires and storytelling evenings celebrating the spirits, myths and legends of Samhain – keeping the festival’s origins alive while adding a dash of modern theatre.
United States – home of modern Halloween
Few countries celebrate Halloween with the enthusiasm of the United States, where Irish immigrants helped shape today’s trick-or-treating and pumpkin-carving traditions.
Every town has its quirks: Goffstown, New Hampshire, stages pumpkin-boat races down the river; Manitou Springs, Colorado, hosts coffin races in honour of a local legend; and New York’s Hudson Valley glows with more than 7,000 illuminated pumpkins at the Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze.
From haunted houses and themed amusement parks to nationwide Thriller flash mobs, Halloween in the US is equal parts creativity, competition and community spirit – a celebration of imagination as much as fright.
Canada – folklore and festive fu
Canada’s Halloween is a mix of folklore and northern flair. In Quebec, the legend of La Corriveau – a ghostly woman accused of murder – still haunts local storytelling nights. Coastal towns in Nova Scotia host pumpkin-lit waterfront festivals, while Toronto’s Church Street becomes Canada’s largest outdoor costume party, famous for its inclusive and vibrant atmosphere.
For thrill-seekers, ScreamFest Calgary offers one of North America’s biggest indoor Halloween events, with haunted houses and horror games. Across the country, communities light up with creativity and camaraderie, keeping the spirit of the season bright even on the chilliest nights.
Spain – three days of spirits, saints and sweet chestnuts
Spain’s Halloween celebrations blend ancient Celtic customs, Christian observances and local harvest festivals into a vibrant three-day event.
- 31st October – Día de las Brujas (Day of the Witches): Cities come alive with costume parties, candlelit concerts and ghost tours. Madrid’s old quarters and Barcelona’s Gothic streets are especially atmospheric.
- 1st November – All Saints’ Day: Families visit cemeteries and leave flowers to honour the departed. Bakeries fill with huesos de santo (marzipan “saints’ bones”) and buñuelos de viento (sweet fritters).
- 2nd November – Day of the Dead: A quieter day of reflection and family gatherings.
Different parts of Spain mark the occasion in their own unique way. Galicia in the northwest celebrates Samaín, its Celtic-inspired festival with bonfires, carved pumpkins and ancestral rituals, while Catalonia marks La Castanyada, a harvest feast of chestnuts, sweet potatoes and almond sweets enjoyed alongside Halloween festivities.
France – honouring the saints, not the spirits
While Halloween parties have become more common in recent years, France’s focus remains on La Toussaint (All Saints’ Day) on 1st November. Families visit cemeteries to honour loved ones, laying chrysanthemums and candles on graves.
You’ll find pockets of Halloween fun in big cities – Parisian bars host fancy-dress parties and theme parks like Disneyland Paris lean into pumpkins and ghosts – but the overall mood is one of remembrance and respect. For many French families, it’s a time to reflect on heritage rather than hauntings.
Italy – Ognissanti and the day of remembrance
In Italy, Halloween is more of an imported novelty, but Italians have long observed Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day) on 1st November, followed by Il Giorno dei Morti (Day of the Dead). Families attend church services and visit cemeteries, bringing flowers and lighting candles for relatives who have passed.
Children in some regions receive small gifts or sweets said to be from departed ancestors – a gentle reminder of the bond between generations. In recent years, carved pumpkins and fancy-dress parties have appeared in major cities, especially Rome and Milan, but Italy’s Halloween celebrations still retain a tone of reverence.
Australia – springtime spirits with a sunny twist
Halloween in Australia falls during spring, giving it a lighter, warmer feel than the northern version. Costumes often feature tropical or beach themes and decorations lean toward colourful rather than creepy.
Sydney’s Ghost in The Rocks Parade transforms the city’s historic streets into a lantern-lit theatre, while the Sydney Zombie Walk and Lithgow Halloween Street Party bring thousands together for charitable, family-friendly fun. Backpackers and expats add international energy with themed parties, proving that spooky season works just as well under the Southern Cross.
New Zealand – community, creativity and Kiwi flair
Like Australia, New Zealand celebrates Halloween in springtime, with a relaxed, family-focused approach. Neighbourhoods host block parties and safe trick-or-treat zones, while local councils organise pumpkin-carving contests and lantern walks.
Cities such as Auckland and Wellington run haunted house attractions and ghost tours that weave Māori legends into the storytelling – blending imported customs with native folklore. Kiwi ingenuity shines through decorations made with local flora like eucalyptus and ferns, bringing a distinctly New Zealand touch to the festival.
Summary
Though the customs vary – solemn remembrance in Europe, lively revelry in North America and creative community gatherings down under – the heart of Halloween is universal. It’s a moment to connect with heritage, share stories and find joy in the mysterious. Wherever you are, Halloween is a reminder that traditions old and new can bring people together.
