Despite Halloween originating from Ireland, where the Celts celebrated Samhain with candles inside carved beet roots instead of pumpkins, it has become predominantly an American festivity. However, Europeans are gradually embracing it too. If you find yourself in Europe during this eerie time of year, don’t worry—there are plenty of spine-chilling events to enjoy.
In Oxford, you can explore Oxford Castle’s annual Ghost Fest, which includes Trick or Treating, After Dark Dinners, and Ghost hunts. The entire month of October is packed with activities for all age groups and fear levels, like Truth & Dare Tours, midnight tours, family-friendly Trick or Treating, pumpkin carving workshops during the October half-term, and overnight Ghost Hunts.
In Retz, located in a region famous for its pumpkin harvest, there’s the Kürbisfest or Pumpkin Festival featuring pumpkin carving, parades, and parties. For more information in German, you can visit their website.
Berlin also gets into the Halloween spirit. Shops and stores on Karl Marx Allee pedestrian street are adorned with orange pumpkins and hairy spiders. From October 29 to November 4, you can visit the Fernsehturm, also called “The highest Bat Nest in Berlin,” to enjoy their Halloween decorations and a stunning city view. And if you miss Halloween, don’t fret—Christmas markets start in late November.
In central Italy’s Marche region, the town of Corinaldo hosts “La Notte delle Streghe” or “The Feast of Witches” every year during the last week of October. More details about the medieval town’s festivities can be found on their website.
While researching, I came across a hilarious post from an American living in Madrid about how Spaniards, and Europeans in general, are quite traditional or unimaginative when it comes to Halloween costumes. To see how Halloween is celebrated in Spain, check out the list of events in Madrid.
For a full-blown American Halloween experience in Europe, head to Disneyland Paris. Disney’s Halloween Party in Disneyland Park is a night-time extravaganza for the whole family, filled with extra shivers and spooky chills.
suansuan