7 fascinating Halloween traditions from around the world.

Halloween originated from the Celtic festival of Samhain, traditionally celebrated between the autumnal equinox and the winter solstice to commemorate the harvest. This was a transitional period, leading to the belief that spirits would rise and wander the earth. To ward them off, the Celts lit fires and wore spooky costumes.

In the 7th century, after Pope Gregory III dedicated November 1st to honoring the saints, the Samhain tradition evolved into All Saints' Day, and the night before was called All Hallows' Eve, later known as Halloween. However, the holiday underwent many changes after Irish immigrants brought it to America in the 19th century. Today, Halloween in America is an occasion for people to dress up, hand out candy to children, and decorate homes and streets with spooky themes, redefining how Halloween is celebrated elsewhere in the world.

Some countries, such as those with Celtic traditions, have integrated old customs into modern celebrations. Others celebrate Halloween in the American style. However, regardless of how Halloween is celebrated, October 31st each year is always a fun and festive occasion for everyone.

Ireland

Today, Halloween in Ireland is very similar to Halloween in the United States, albeit on a smaller scale. Children carve pumpkin lanterns, an evolution of an old turnip carving custom, and go trick-or-treating, dressing up as spooky characters and performing acts like reciting poems or singing in exchange for gifts. In larger cities, restaurants and pubs also host Halloween-themed events for adults.

However, some of today's Halloween traditions in Ireland originate from Samhain. The Irish now set off fireworks much like the ancient Celts did to ward off evil spirits. They set off fireworks in the streets and have fireworks displays to conclude the Halloween festivities in Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The Meath Spirits Halloween Festival, held in County Meath in October and early November, also features costume events, pumpkin carving contests, tours of haunted locations, and more.

Scotland

The Halloween customs of Scotland and Ireland share many similarities, but also have distinct traditions. In Scotland, some people carve turnips into lanterns, while others use pumpkins. Children play games like biting apples in buckets of water or eating pies hanging from trees without using their hands. Halloween costumes in Scotland are diverse, but often tend towards spooky ones, following the old costume tradition where children would dress up as spirits and go around collecting treats like fruit or coins.

Some unique Scottish Halloween customs are quite romantic, such as the nut-smashing tradition. For newly engaged couples, they throw a nut into a bonfire to see how their marriage will turn out: if it cracks quietly, it signifies a smooth marriage; if it explodes loudly, it foretells a turbulent one. For singles, there's the kale pull, where you pull up a kale plant from your garden, its roots revealing the height and build of your future spouse.

Japan

Halloween in Japan isn't about ghosts or horror, nor is it a time for children to go trick-or-treating. It's not even a festival for Japanese children. Because the Japanese commemorate the deceased during the Obon festival in July or August, October 31st is simply an excuse for adults to go out and cosplay.

Halloween began gaining popularity in Japan after Disneyland Tokyo held its first spooky event in 1997. Bars and clubs then began hosting Halloween-themed events, and small parades started taking place in the streets. In recent years, the holiday has exploded in popularity in cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kanagawa. Shibuya Crossing has become a popular gathering place for partygoers, although it also faces some competition from Harajuku, which is believed to be where the first Halloween festival was held in the 1970s. Each year, theme parks like Disneyland Tokyo and Universal Studios in Osaka continue to host large Halloween parties.

Shirt

Austrians celebrate Seleenwoche, or the Week of the Spirits, from October 30th to November 8th. It's a relatively serious holiday, mainly centered around church services. However, there's a Halloween tradition in Austria: the custom of leaving bread, water, and lanterns outside on the night of October 31st, quite similar to the offerings made to wandering spirits in Vietnam. Halloween night is believed to concentrate cosmic energy, and these offerings are for wandering souls. Like in many other Western countries, Halloween is also pumpkin season in Austria, although the focus is more on growing, displaying, and eating pumpkins than carving them.

IDEA

Halloween in Italy blends Celtic traditions, which the ancient Italians witnessed firsthand during the Roman Empire's conquest of the Celtic nations, with the American style of Halloween. Children go door-to-door asking for candy, dress up in costumes, and carve pumpkin lanterns; Halloween parties at bars and restaurants are also becoming increasingly popular.

Beyond just haunted houses like elsewhere, Italians also organize tours of ancient sites such as catacombs and castles on Halloween night, and flock to amusement parks for horror-themed events. Some towns take Halloween particularly seriously, decorating houses and streets in spooky styles and holding events such as fireworks displays, tarot readings, and Miss Witch contests. The biggest Halloween celebrations are in Corinaldo in the Marche region with the Festa della Streghe (Festival of Witches); Triora in Liguria, which hosted Italy's last witch trials during the Renaissance; and Borgo a Mozzano in Tuscany, with celebrations mainly taking place at Ponte della Maddalena, also known as Ponte del Diavolo (Bridge of the Devil).

Philippines

October 31st marks the beginning of All Saints' Day in the Philippines, a time for family gatherings rather than the boisterous American-style Halloween parties. This holiday commemorates deceased loved ones, with families lighting lanterns and visiting graves. Many leave offerings, and some even camp there. Additionally, you'll find parades, parties, and other familiar Halloween activities in Manila and other major cities.

Small towns often organize fun events for children, and shops leave small treats for them. Gradually, the American trick-or-treating tradition is replacing it.pangangaluluwaTraditionally, children would go around the village houses singing songs to welcome spirits and ask for alms, perhaps money or food; this tradition is still maintained in rural provinces. Most children wear spooky costumes. Although many bars still hold Halloween parties in the Philippines, it is generally a family holiday to remember the spirits of loved ones rather than to celebrate ghosts and ghouls.

Isle of Man

As a semi-autonomous British territory, the Isle of Man celebrates its own festival on Halloween night: Hop-tu-Naa. Like Samhain, the holiday originated as a Celtic way of celebrating the harvest and the new year. However, much like in Ireland today, October 31st has been Americanized on the Isle of Man. But a traditional Isle of Man Halloween celebration should include activities such as carving lanterns from turnips and strolling around houses singing old folk songs. Festivals in smaller towns often have a bit of Hop-tu-Naa style, a bit of Halloween style, and a lot of fun.

Huong Thao