Every October 31st, Halloween takes center stage worldwide. Rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where people lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off spirits, Halloween has evolved into one of the most celebrated holidays across the globe. From trick-or-treating to Día de los Muertos, each culture adds its own twist to the spooky season.
Experiencing Halloween abroad is an exciting way to discover new traditions. If you’re planning to travel for Halloween 2025, make sure you have travel insurance to protect yourself on the journey.
Here are eight of the best destinations where you can enjoy unique Halloween celebrations and unforgettable travel experiences.
Index
Ireland
The birthplace of Halloween, Ireland traces the holiday back to the ancient pagan festival of Samhain, celebrated thousands of years ago to mark the beginning of winter. Traditionally, the Irish believed the veil between the human world and the spirit world was thinnest on October 31st. To ward off spirits, people lit bonfires and wore costumes, rituals that inspired modern-day Halloween traditions.
Today, Ireland still hosts some of the world’s biggest Halloween events. The highlight is the Derry Halloween Festival in Derry-Londonderry, featuring parades, fireworks, and Europe’s largest Halloween carnival. It’s a must for travelers looking to experience Halloween at its roots.
👉 Did you know? The Derry Halloween Festival has been voted one of the world’s best Halloween celebrations. If you go, bring warm layers, October nights in Northern Ireland can be cold and damp.
Scotland
Like Ireland, Scotland’s Halloween roots lie in the Celtic Samhain festival. Bonfires, ghost tales, and disguises have long been part of its folklore, famously immortalized in Robert Burns’ 1785 poem Halloween.
If you visit during the season, Edinburgh’s Royal Mile is the perfect starting point. Explore underground vaults, eerie passageways, and join the Samhain Fire Festival, which blends ancient Celtic traditions with modern performances. Scotland’s mix of history, legend, and atmosphere makes it an incredible Halloween destination.
Insider Tip: Edinburgh’s Samhain Fire Festival is staged by local performers and artists. Arrive early at Calton Hill to get a good view of the fiery processions.
Transylvania, Romania
For vampire fans, few places rival Transylvania, home of Bram Stoker’s legendary Count Dracula. At Bran Castle, travelers can take part in spooky night tours, costume parties, and themed dinners that go late into the night.
Beyond Dracula’s castle, Bucharest also comes alive with Halloween parties, gothic events, and cultural traditions. Romania combines medieval history, folklore, and vibrant nightlife, making it one of the most thrilling places to celebrate Halloween.
Beyond Bran Castle, explore Corvin Castle in Hunedoara, often ranked among the most haunted castles in Europe. It’s less crowded and equally atmospheric.
Prague, the Czech Republic
Prague is often described as one of Europe’s most gothic cities, with medieval architecture and winding cobblestone lanes that set the perfect spooky scene. While Halloween isn’t a traditional Czech holiday, the city has embraced it in recent years, especially within its expat community.
Expect parades, storytelling festivals, club nights, and costume contests. For an extra chilling experience, visit the Torture Museum, the Astronomical Clock, or the mysterious gothic churches scattered around the Old Town.
Mexico
In Mexico, Halloween blends into one of the country’s most iconic traditions: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated from October 31st to November 2nd. Families welcome the souls of their ancestors with altars, offerings, food, and music.
Far from being a day of mourning, it’s a vibrant, colorful celebration of life and remembrance. Mexico City and Oaxaca host some of the most spectacular Day of the Dead parades, with music, costumes, street art, and candlelit vigils. For a truly unique cultural experience, Mexico is one of the best places to spend Halloween 2025.
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is one of the spookiest cities in America, famous for its ghosts, voodoo legends, and haunted cemeteries. Halloween here is big and bold: costume parades, haunted tours, themed cocktails, and live music spill out across the French Quarter.
Don’t miss the Bourbon Street Halloween parade, ghost tours of historic cemeteries, or the city’s legendary Voodoo-inspired festivals. From family-friendly concerts to vampire balls, New Orleans guarantees an unforgettable Halloween experience.
👉 Don’t miss: In addition to parades, New Orleans hosts live jazz and voodoo-inspired performances throughout October. Book a ghost tour in the French Quarter if you’re brave enough.
Salem, Massachusetts
Known worldwide for the infamous Salem Witch Trials of the 17th century, Salem has embraced its dark history to become one of the most iconic Halloween destinations.
Each October, the city hosts Haunted Happenings, a month-long festival with parades, fireworks, ghost tours, and the famous Witches’ Ball. Fans of the macabre will find Salem an unmissable stop for Halloween 2025.
When to go: October weekends are packed, visit midweek for fewer crowds. Many attractions, like the Salem Witch Museum, offer evening programs that bring the city’s dark history to life.
Hong Kong
Dubbed the Halloween Capital of Asia, Hong Kong has fully embraced spooky season. Lan Kwai Fong Street transforms into one of the biggest Halloween parties in the region, with thousands of people in elaborate costumes.
Theme parks like Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park also host spectacular Halloween events, complete with haunted houses, parades, and immersive experiences. Halloween in Hong Kong is fast becoming one of Asia’s top travel highlights.
Travel insurance for Hong Kong
Celebrate Halloween safely
No matter where your Halloween adventures take you, from haunted castles in Transylvania to colorful parades in Mexico, unexpected surprises can be scarier than any ghost story. That’s why traveling with insurance is essential: it protects you from real-life frights like lost luggage, medical emergencies, or trip delays. With Heymondo, you can enjoy the thrill of Halloween knowing you’re covered every step of the way.
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