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Throughout history, all cultures have honored and worshiped their dead. That’s why the eve of All Saints’ Day (Day of the Dead, All Souls’ Day, or Halloween) is celebrated worldwide, becoming one of the best excuses (as if we needed one!) to travel and discover how this tradition is experienced in other parts of the world.
There is more than one country celebrating Halloween in a special way. Beyond the United States, known worldwide for its parades and decorations, countries such as Mexico, Argentina, Scotland or Ireland have a long tradition of celebrating the Day of the Dead.
Some cities are more attractive than others for celebrating this date, such as New Orleans, Prague, Paris, Salem, Edinburgh, or Venice. Each has its own traditions (religious, pagan or popular), and while some focus on darkness, sadness and death, others have a more festive approach, filling the streets with music, color and celebration while mixing it with mystery and the supernatural.
Beyond altars, flower offerings, cemeteries, and ghost legends, many cities celebrate Halloween with glamorous parties, horror film festivals, decorated streets, or hordes of children dressed up and asking for sweets.
That’s why we believe the best Halloween destinations are those that offer a unique spooky experience, blending tradition and fun.
It’s no coincidence that some of the best places to celebrate Halloween in the world have Celtic origins.
Etymologically, the word Halloween is closely linked to All Hallows' Eve, an expression meaning the eve of All Saints’ Day, whose pronunciation in medieval Scottish is quite similar to the current term.
As for the origin of Halloween, we go back to the Celts and their Samhain festival, which marked the end of summer and the beginning of the new agricultural year. For the ancient Celts, this was the time to review their harvest to make sure they had the necessary provisions to survive the winter.
In Scotland, where the cold season is particularly long and harsh, some believed that during these days of short daylight hours, the boundary between the world of the living and the world of the dead was weakened enough to allow spirits, witches and demons to enter, creating a gloomy and terrifying atmosphere.
The tradition of decorating pumpkins for Halloween also has Celtic origins, linked to the legend of Jack-o'-lantern, a thief who tried to trick the Devil and was punished to have his soul wander in darkness for eternity. When he asked for “a little light to see the world,” the Devil threw him an ember, which Jack placed inside a turnip, an apple or a pumpkin, three common ingredients in Halloween desserts.
On the eve of All Saints' Day, Jack continues to wander between the world of the living and the dead, asking a question to those he meets: "Trick or treat?".
Over the centuries, these ideas "crossed the pond" and gained particular prominence in the USA. The Celtic and Anglo-Saxon influence is evident in the best places to go for Halloween, though each has blended with local customs.
Mexico is known worldwide for its celebration of Halloween, as its Day of the Dead festival, when the capital bursts with color between October 31st and November 2nd, is known worldwide for its particularity of honoring the dead in a colorful celebration, filled with music, in contrast to the European tradition.
In addition to visiting cemeteries to offer flowers, food, and drink, it’s tradition in Mexico to make kites to communicate with the souls of the departed and burn them at night.
In Mexico City, Halloween merges with the vibrant Day of the Dead celebrations. A must-see event is the parade inspired by the James Bond movie Spectre, which features colorful floats, skulls, and catrinas in the historic center.
Another top destination is Mixquic, a nearby town known for its authentic Day of the Dead festivities. Here, locals illuminate graveyards with thousands of candles, creating a mesmerizing spectacle.
Outside the capital, cities like Oaxaca have unique rituals, such as exhuming the dead to decorate them, a manifestation of remembrance, joy, and connection with the spiritual world.
Find the best hotels in Mexico City and get ready for a unique Halloween experience. Our 4-star accommodations with modern amenities such as free Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and parking services. Guests can enjoy facilities like gyms, restaurants, and even a swimming pool, depending on the location, making it perfect for both business and leisure travelers.
Mexico is, undoubtedly, one of the main countries celebrating Halloween. The "Yucatecan Halloween" blends the local Hanal Pixán festival with foreign influences. The result is a true cultural fusion, where traditional markets selling sweets and altars remain the main attraction, now enhanced with skulls and pumpkins.
If you visit Mérida for Halloween, don’t miss the "Paseo de las Ánimas", which recreates the journey that souls would take, following the path of the old city, from the General Cemetery to the Arch of San Juan, near the NH Collection Mérida Paseo Montejo hotel.
By booking a stay in our hotels in Mérida, you’ll get the closest experience of the Halloween local celebrations. Located in Paseo Montejo, the hotel is within walking distance of several bus stations that will connect you with every corner of the city.
Buenos Aires joins in the international Halloween celebrations, though it's still tradition to visit La Recoleta Cemetery, a true work of art filled with marble statues and ornate vaults. However, the cemetery is closed at night to let the dead rest. If you don't, beware of the consequences!
To really get immersed in the city's Halloween atmosphere, you can choose to stay in one of our hotels in Buenos Aires. Our range of hotels, located all over the cities, can meet all the budget needs so, it is a great option to admire the local traditions.
The NH Buenos Aires Latino hotel is located between Plaza de Mayo, Corrientes Avenue, and 9 de Julio Avenue, within walking distance of iconic spots like Café Tortoni, the San Telmo neighbourhood, or La Recoleta - an ideal base to fully experience Halloween in Buenos Aires.
Northern Italy may not be on your bucket list of best places to go for Halloween, as it is not particularly known for its Halloween celebrations, but Venice offers its masks and a cursed location: Ca' Dario.
Every owner of this building overlooking the Grand Canal has died suddenly or violently, including John Entwistle, bassist of The Who. You can book a tour to learn more about this mysterious gothic building and other scary corners in the city of canals.
For a unique Halloween experience, NH Hotels in Venice provide a luxurious stay while placing you near eerie landmarks. Some hotels even offer special ghost tours, allowing you to explore the city's haunted history after dark.
Do you dare visit Ca’ Dario during your Halloween stay in Venice?
Southern Italy celebrates All Saints' Day with devotion. In Naples, there are special tours of the Royal Palace and parades that turn the streets into a little corner of Mexico.
The famous Catacombs of San Gennaro are a journey into the past to discover Naples' most curious traditions, superstitions, and legends.
For those seeking a spooky adventure, NH Hotels in Naples provide easy access to the city's historic sites. We are sure that you will love the convenient locations and comfort they offer, making your stay both enjoyable and memorable.
New York is the most iconic place that you can visit during Halloween celebrations. Halloween transforms the Big Apple into an animated and terrifying spectacle, thanks to parades like the one in Manhattan, which attracts over 2 million participants each year.
The Village Halloween Parade in New York is the largest Halloween event in the United States, featuring thousands of costumed participants, live bands, dancers, and towering puppets. It takes place along Sixth Avenue and is a must-see for both locals and visitors. This event is even broadcast on television and is a must for families in the area.
If you are looking for hotels in New York, the NH Collection New York Madison Avenue hotel is the perfect place to experience this musical and artistic event up close.
Beyond the parade, New York offers a variety of Halloween-themed events, including haunted houses, pumpkin patches and ghost tours throughout the city. Central Park becomes a hub for spooky fun, where you can participate in pumpkin flotillas on the lake or enjoy a haunted walk.
For families, the Boo at the Zoo event is an ideal occasion to enjoy the festivity with the kids. The tigers, lions and zebras of the Bronx’s Zoo welcome the visitants with exhibits, spookie scenes and 30 trick or treat stations.
In Massachusetts is the legendary town of Salem, famous for its witches and ranking among the best places to celebrate Halloween in the world.
But that’s another story...
Tradition and modernity blend daily in London, and Halloween is no exception. Starting with the classic mysterious tours through its damp and misty alleys, where you can follow the footsteps and stories of Jack the Ripper or Sweeney Todd. If you are not feeling like walking, you can take the London Ghost Bus Tour and travel the city while listening to the scariest events that took place in different corners of the city.
London also hosts numerous children’s events and workshops during these days like taking them to a pumpkin patch for them to choose and decorate their pumpkin, enjoying the Legoland Brick or Treat or spending the day at the zoo that organizes the funniest activities meant for the whole family.
For those seeking more thrills, London offers haunted venues such as the London Dungeon, where live actors bring spooky tales to life. You can also explore the disturbing surroundings of Hampton Court Palace, famous for its ghostly sightings and haunted history.
For a more immersive experience, attend the Halloween at Hogwarts event at Warner Bros. Studios Tour London, where you can walk through the Great Hall decorated for the holiday and explore sets from the Harry Potter films.
For comfortable accommodation during your Halloween visit, our nhow London hotel offers convenient access to both the spooky city tours and vibrant shopping districts like East London.
Ireland is one of the countries that celebrates Halloween in grand style, and in its capital, Dublin, it’s more than just a holiday—it’s a festival where ancient mythology plays a significant role. Halloween is experienced here in an authentic and impressive way, with rituals like bonfire lighting, accompanied by eerie chants.
Dublin also hosts Halloween themed events like the “Púca Festival” and the "Bram Stoker Festival", both dedicated to horror art and literature, with numerous activities such as haunted walking tours, treasure hunts, horror films screenings and more.
For an unforgettable stay during these spooky festivals, you'll find plenty of charming hotels in Dublin that offer easy access to all festivals, ensuring you're right in the heart of the Halloween celebrations.
Prague is full of mystery and romance, and its darkened architecture takes on a gloomy charm during the autumn and winter months. The city is also full of medieval horror legends, wandering skeletons, haunted cemeteries, one of Europe’s most spectacular ossuaries (Sedlec Ossuary), and even a Museum of Torture.
That’s why the Czech capital is one of the best cities in the world for a “gothic” Halloween. Many hotels in Prague also host themed events, allowing guests to immerse themselves in Prague's mysterious atmosphere.
Speaking of catacombs, we move to beautiful Paris, which sometimes shows us its dark and hidden side.
The boldest travelers take advantage of their Halloween trip to Paris to explore the catacombs, the underground tunnel network beneath the city that holds the remains of more than six million people. A cold, damp, and chilling atmosphere perfect for "surviving" a night like this.
Get ready with NH Hotels in Paris for a unique Halloween experience in the City of Light, where haunted landmarks and great events await.
Burg Frankenstein ("Frankenstein Castle") is one of the best places to go for Halloween if you’re visiting Germany.
Located near Darmstadt, in the municipality of Mühltal, the stunning natural surroundings of this castle—its forests especially beautiful in autumn—have been home to witches, knights with tragic deaths, spirits, and, of course, alchemists creating impossible beings and searching for the "elixir of life".
If you would like to find hotels in Burg Frankenstein, the NH Weinheim is a great option. However, if you're flying into Frankfurt, the NH Frankfurt Airport West is the ideal choice for you.
Gothic Barcelona is full of mysteries and eerie characters, such as the Vampire of El Raval. Visiting abandoned buildings and taking a tour of the Wax Museum are some of the plans for your Halloween in Barcelona.
For kids the Poble Spanyol becomes one the scariest and also funniest places of the city, filled with interesting decorations and activities, creepy dance and circus shows that the whole family will enjoy while testing typical Catalonian Autumn food such as chestnuts and sweet potatoes.
Want to refuel? Stop by a roasted chestnut stand or try panellets, a typical sweet of the season. They may not be scary, but they’re delicious! Stay in one of our hotels in Barcelona to enjoy the most in this beautiful city.
Madrid strikes a balance between local traditions and new customs, offering ghostly tours, parades, children’s activities, and gastronomic tastings to celebrate the spookiest holiday of the year.
One of the best things about celebrating Halloween in a city as big and international as Madrid is having the opportunity to enjoy not only the local traditions, but also to experience how this holiday is celebrated in other areas of the world. One of the most popular activities is visiting the Altar de Muertos at the Casa de México. The Day of the Dead celebration at the Prosperity Market is another recommended spot if you’re staying in Madrid for Halloween.
To make the most of your trip, stay in one of our NH hotels in Madrid so you’ll be within walking distance of all the activities organized for these dates.
Copenhagen has revived some of the old All Saints’ Eve traditions, giving the holiday its own unique charm. One must-see attraction is Tivoli Amusement Park.
For spectacular giant pumpkins, head to Lille Skensved in Ventegodtgaard, about 35 minutes away by car, which is well worth a visit in autumn.
If you prefer a comfortable stay near Copenhagen's attractions, NH Hotels offer easy access to the main landmarks.
Amsterdam is one of the best places to celebrate Halloween in the world with family, offering a diverse program for all ages.
If you’re staying in one of our hotels in Amsterdam, you can join a ghost tour or stop by the legendary Monster Ball.
And if you’re staying a few extra days in the Dutch capital, don’t miss the Sint Maarten festival on 11th November, their own take on Halloween.
Find hotels in Amsterdam and get ready for a unique Halloween experience, where you can explore the city's vibrant Halloween festivities with family-friendly events for all ages.
The Portuguese capital has developed a "club culture" that invites you to dance and live the night to "attract the spirits": just pour a little alcohol on the ground to appease the ancestors.
Moreover, Lisbon’s nights offer a rather chilling backdrop for Halloween, with its dark alleyways lit by dim gas lamps.
We recommend staying at one of our hotels in Lisbon to fully immerse yourself in the city's eerie atmosphere. Our hotels are conveniently located in the best areas of the city, ensuring a memorable stay. Recharge your energies in our exclusive facilities and make the most of one the best places to go for Halloween.
This is a great time for a mini holiday, and most of the best places to go for Halloween have activities for both children and adults.
One of the great things about Halloween is that there are activities meant for every age. Whether you're a child looking to enjoy trick-or-treating and monumental parades, a young adult in the mood for a good costume party or adults wanting to admire local traditions and decorations, Halloween has an activity designed for you.
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