15 Best Halloween Holiday Destinations
So I am from an area that isn’t really big on Halloween, last weekend when everybody was posting on Facebook about amazing costume parties, I was waiting at home for trick or treaters that never arrived. As much as I understand that in many parts of the world Halloween is a mostly commercial holiday and down this end of the world we are just jumping on the band wagon, well it looks like a lot of fun. With that in mind I have compiled a list of the best Halloween holiday destinations for the spookerly inclined. From ancient crypts to thousands strong costume parties, if you celebrate Halloween these are the top 15 places to be.
Salem, Massachusetts, USA
The ancient site of 26 witch trials, Salem is known to put on a pretty amazing Halloween showing with costume balls, specialized spooky events and haunted houses.
Dracula’s Castle, Bran, Romania
The home of the Dracula legend, if vampires are your thing you can visit Bran castle, take vampire tours and visit medieval towns.
City Of Light, Paris, France
Forget romance, Paris has some seriously creepy history you can take tours through ancient cemetery’s, wander historic catacombs or even visit Disney’s not so creepy Halloween.
Capuchin Catacombs, Palermo, Sicily, Italy
For a more traditional scare you can explore Palermo bone line catacombs and take part in historic ghost tours.
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
There is not much creepier than Mancha Swamp or you can visit voodoo shops and party in the truly impressive costume parade.
Dia de los Muertos, Oaxaca, Mexico
The day of the dead is an important date on the Mexican calendar. It is a celebration centred on ancestor worship. In Oaxaca you can take part in candle lit cemetery virgule’s, or enjoy the street parties and painted faces with the locals.
The Village, New York City, USA
The Village New York’s vibrant LGBT district is famous for its Halloween costume parade. You can party in the streets, attend shows, events and ghost tours in style.
Derry, North Ireland
Traditional Samhain festivals celebrating the end of the harvest are still a big influence in Ireland. Celebrated with fireworks, harvest festivals and balls.
Ostend, Belgium
In Belgium Halloween is associated with all saints day and is celebrated with parties. Cruses and costume extravaganzas.
West Hollywood Halloween Carnival, Los Angeles, USA
One of the biggest street carnivals in the world check out the amazing costumes and elaborate entertainment.
Kutna Hora, Sedlec Ossuary, Czech Republic
For a truly eerie experience you can’t go past a church and cemetery tour of Kutna Hora’s bone lined church.
Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA
Sleepy Hollows legendary ghost story was made famous by TV and movies, you can take cemetery tours and visit the haunted house based on the local legend.
London, England
London has its own sordid history, it also has a whole range of diverse entertainments including a masquerade ball, costume parties galore, scary movie screenings and even fireworks.
Yue Lan, Hong Kong
The hungry ghost festival is a traditional Chinese celebration of ancestor worship. As well as western style celebrations you can see operas and traditional Chinese entertainment.
Chapel of Skulls, Kudowa-Zdrój, Poland
Both unnerving and historic Poland’s chapel of skulls is decorated with the bones of its historic builders making for an amazing tour.
If you are going to be on holiday next October, book one of these top Halloween destinations. Whether you are looking for a party, a more traditional celebration or something truly creepy, give yourself a scare and make the most of the season and the wonderfully diverse festival that is Halloween.
Hope you have a spooky Halloween.
Ann
If you enjoyed this post check out this on the 25 most surreal place on earth for some more travel inspiration.
