More than just ”trick-or-treating” – Halloween ideas abroad

🕗 9 minutes | August 1, 2025 | Text by Klara Krysiak

Tired of the annual parties and pumpkin decorations? Do you associate Halloween solely with trick-or-treating? If so, this guide is for you. Visit colorful festivals, learn about dark Halloween traditions, and pack your bags because we're taking you on a journey that will make you forget about fake spiderwebs!

Although today we associate Halloween mainly with American films, colorful costumes, and carved pumpkins, its origins are much older and more mysterious.

The custom of celebrating Halloween originates from the Celtic ritual of Samhain, which was celebrated 2,000 years ago in what is now Ireland and Scotland. It was believed that on the night of October 31st to November 1st, the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead blurred, and the spirits of their ancestors returned to earth. To welcome them or ward off evil spirits, the Celts lit bonfires and dressed in animal skins on Samhain Night.

Over time, the Irish Halloween tradition evolved. Thanks to the emigration of Celtic people in the 19th century, Halloween reached the United States, where it acquired its modern form.

Many Halloween traditions stem from the Celtic ritual of Samhain. For example, the custom of dressing up in costumes stemmed from the belief that by donning terrifying masks, one could trick wandering souls and spirits into thinking they were one of their own. The custom of lighting bonfires, in turn, served to ward off evil spirits and provided a pretext for communal celebration.

When Christianity reached Celtic lands, the church attempted to assimilate pagan rituals and replace them with new, religious traditions. Thus, the Celtic festival of Samhain gradually became merged with All Saints' Day, which was established on November 1st in the 8th century.

The night before this holiday was called All Hallows' Eve, and the name later evolved into the modern-day Halloween. Over time, the original Celtic roots of the holiday changed, and Halloween became a more folk, secular celebration.

Now that you know the origins of Halloween, it's time to consider where to best experience the spirit. Halloween traditions vary from country to country, so read on to learn what to expect and decide where to fly on October 31st.

A symbol of Halloween in Romania is the Merry Cemetery, where graves symbolize not sadness but happiness in the face of death. The cemetery was founded by local artist Stan Ioan Patras in 1935 in the village of Sapantza. The cemetery's bas-reliefs are painted in bright colors and include an epitaph and a pictorial scene depicting the life and circumstances of the deceased.

Another place worth visiting for Halloween is Count Dracula's House. Book flights to Romania and visit this medieval residence located in the Romanian town of Bran. It features over 60 rooms connected by underground tunnels and a central courtyard. Today, the castle serves as a museum dedicated to Vlad the Impaler.

Although Halloween has only been celebrated in Japan for a relatively short time, the Japanese have already given it a pop culture twist. Instead of focusing on scares, they celebrate creativity.

Book flights to Japan and visit the intersection in Tokyo's Shibuya district, where thousands of people gather every year on the last day of October in original, often handmade, costumes. You'll see not only zombies, werewolves, and vampires, but also cosplay characters from manga and anime.

Halloween is perhaps most celebrated in the UK. One way to experience moments of terror is to visit London's dungeons. Travel back in time and witness the darkest moments in the city's history—torture chambers, a lightless maze, a reenactment of the Great Fire of 1666, and a chance to come face-to-face with serial killers await you.

Another Halloween night idea is to walk in the footsteps of Jack the Ripper—learn about the historical background of his murders and visit the locations where the victims were found. And if that's too much for you, book flights to the UK and, for Halloween, head to the Tower of London, which witnessed the execution of queens, or take part in a cemetery walk at dusk.

Although Halloween hasn't yet reached Spain, it's worth flying here for November 1st, when All Saints' Day is celebrated. In Catalonia and the Balearic Islands, you might also come across La Castanyada, a roasted chestnut festival, which is an opportunity to try the local panellets. Book flights to Spain.

Book flights to the USA, where Halloween night is the perfect occasion for large parades and festivals, such as the Village Halloween Parade in New York City. This nighttime costumed parade features floats and performers from around the world.

Thrill-seekers are invited to celebrate Halloween at American amusement parks. Many of them organize special Halloween events with terrifying haunted houses, actors dressed as monsters, and spooky scenery. Halloween, celebrated in the United States, is also known for its famous “trick or treating.”

Although the Portuguese primarily celebrate the Day of the Dead, or Dia de Todos os Santos, many regions also celebrate the tradition of Pão-por-Deus. It's similar to the American “trick or treat.” Children go door-to-door asking for sweets, but instead of trick-or-treating (called "doçura ou travessura”), they sing songs and recite poems. In return, they receive bread, nuts, and fruit. Healthy, right? Book flights to Portugal.

In Poland, the celebrations on the last day of October are gaining popularity, but we still primarily celebrate All Saints' Day. It is a day off from work, dedicated to reflection and remembering the dead. Many people confuse it with All Saints' Day, which falls on November 2nd, but the two holidays are closely linked. All Saints' Day is an official religious holiday, while All Saints' Day is a time of prayer for the souls of the deceased awaiting salvation.

The celebrations of both days in Poland are solemn and emotional. Families visit the graves of loved ones to light candles, symbolizing remembrance and eternal light. This tradition is so strong that cemeteries sparkle with thousands of lights after dark. People also bring flowers, most often chrysanthemums, to decorate gravestones.