If you grew up in the United States, you probably remember late, dark evenings spent running from house to house collecting candy on Halloween night. While trick-or-treating is the norm in the US, that is not the case in other countries. So. while you munch on your favorite Chocolate Shipped cookie, read the responses below to learn how other countries celebrate Halloween.
Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson

Robert Johnson, Founder of Sawinery.

Some Countries Honor Deceased Loved Ones

Halloween is celebrated around the world differently. The most common is having trick-or-treat and costume parties. However, in some countries like Mexico, the Philippines, and other Latin American [countries], Halloween is celebrated by honoring their deceased loved ones.

Back in 2009, I was in the Philippines from the last week of October up until the first week of November for vacation. I personally witnessed how the people offer candles, flowers, and even food to their deceased loved ones. They visit them at the place where they were buried and leave all of their offerings. They say that it is a part of their tradition in order to remind the souls of their loved ones that they are remembered.

Halloween is a solemn event in the Philippines. It is mostly a day for the deceased.

Street Parties, Costumes, and Parades

Japan has its way of celebrating Halloween. Parties with friends and family have less importance here. Trick-or-treat doesn’t seem to attract any attention either. The Japanese seem to prefer huge street parties and parades. Many towns and cities have them.

The biggest would have to be in Shibuya, a popular area in Tokyo. It is said to attract over one million people for the big night! The streets in the area become so crowded that it is hard to move, but it is so much fun with the focus being on taking pictures and talking to people about their outfits.

You can see and meet with people who spend so much time on their outfits. It is possible to see many cute characters like Mario and Sailor Moon and some scary ones too. Undead (and sexy) nurses and brides are popular. Of course, you can find many more.

Halloween in Shibuya is a fabulous event. If you ever visit Japan in October, make sure you are here on the 31st!

Rohan Gillett

Rohan Gillett

Rohan Gillett of Tokyo in Pics.
Lynda Fairly

Lynda Fairly

Lynda Fairly, Co-founder of Numlooker.

3 Unique Ways to Celebrate

Italy
Italians like to play pranks and joke around, and this is something they do with Halloween. In Italy, a tradition called the “Trick-or-Treat” begins with trick-or-treating children being given a tray of sweets in the evening. The next day, however, another person will hand the children a frightening mask and ask them to wear it around while going back to the identical houses from the night before. It is meant as a joke and a way for adults to play tricks on each other.

Germany
In Germany, children and other citizens celebrate Halloween by wearing costumes and going from house to house singing songs with their families or friends to get candy. This tradition is called “kinder schelmen (literally: kid devils).” Germany also holds a celebration called “‘Häschen- und Hühnerleicht-Festival” in which people dress up as animals and visit houses. Whoever gives the most candy wins!

Israel
There is a practice similar to trick-or-treating in Israel in which children go house to house at night and ask for candy, [but there is] another tradition held by Israelis during this period known as “The 7th candle.” The idea behind this tradition is that when children light the 7th candle of their menorah on Halloween night, it brings good luck, and when the light eventually goes out after the holiday, it signals that winter has officially arrived.

Unique Way of Celebrating Halloween in India

In India, Halloween is not commonly recognized, but it is a wonderful excuse to throw a fun costume party. In India, ghosts and spirits roaming free are considered a terrible omen. Hence, Halloween is not celebrated. Speaking about ghosts and spirits is also said to bring bad luck. There is a holiday in India that many people compare to Halloween.

India celebrates Pitru Paksha. It is a 16-day lunar cycle in the Hindu calendar that begins on September 20th each year. Hindus pay their respects to their ancestors by offering Pind Daan (food), prayers, and water. The practice is to bring food and water to the departed souls to ensure that the souls are cared for while they live on in the hereafter.

Piyushi Dhir

Piyushi Dhir

Piyushi Dhir of Help and Wellness.
Victoria Swift

Victoria Swift

Victoria Swift of Debilitating Diseases. She is also a Medical Doctor and a Head Physician for a Private Practice.

A Celebration of Life

In the Philippines, they don’t celebrate Halloween like the western countries where kids and adults dress up. Instead, they use the 31st of October to prepare food, drinks, and other items for November 1st and 2nd. You see, they go to their dead families’ graves on November 1st and 2nd together with their living relatives and celebrate the life and memories of those who passed away. They clean up everything there and set up a tent so family members can join them for a picnic. It is such a solemn and innocent celebration for Halloween.

Halloween Celebrations from Eight Different Countries

Halloween originated in Europe and became popular in the United States. At present, more and more countries have begun to celebrate Halloween, and different countries have [different] customs.

Ireland
Legend has it that Ireland is the origin of Halloween. Irish people eat a yeasty fruit cake called Barmbrack, also called Irish fruit bread, which is popular on Halloween. It contains various “small objects” wrapped in cloth, which are said to predict the future of the eater. For example, if the bread you eat is wrapped in a ring, it means romance.

The U.K.
Due to its proximity to Ireland, the British celebrated Halloween very early, and most people had not even seen a pumpkin at that time. The earliest “Jack Lanterns” were carved from radishes and beets. After the carving is completed, the children take their work to the street, knock on the neighbor’s door, and ask for change. In some places, carrot lights will be placed on the doorposts outside the home to protect residents from ghosts wandering around on Halloween night.

The U.S.
The United States is currently the country with the most robust Halloween atmosphere. Stores sell ghost-shaped food, candies, costumes, and masks. Because pumpkin lanterns symbolize the holiday, households buy pumpkins to make [jack-o-lanterns.] In the evening, children will participate in activities and beg for sweets from house to house.

Canada
Classes start preparing for Halloween activities two or three days in advance in Canadian primary and secondary schools, decorating the classrooms with scary-looking things. On Halloween, there are holiday parties. Children can dress up in costumes, wear terrifying masks, and approach people to ask for candy that night.

In addition, on Halloween, there will be a mass in St. James Catholic Church in Toronto. There will be a vigil on All Souls Day on November 2nd. Statistics show that Canadians spend nearly $1 billion on candy, costumes, makeup, decorations, and pet costumes during Halloween each year.

Mexico
In Latin countries, Halloween is a three-day celebration beginning on October 31st. This celebration is called El Dia de Los Muertos or Day of the Dead, and it is a festival held by Mexicans since ancient times to commemorate their dead relatives. During this period, a parade will be held in each village with dancers wearing skull costumes. Families believe that the souls of their loved ones will return at this time of the year. They decorate an altar with sweets, flowers, photos, water, and some favorite foods of their loved ones in the living room and light candles to guide the deceased home.

France
On Halloween, the French usually go to Montmartre Cemetery and Father Raz Cemetery to lay chrysanthemums. There are thousands of flower shops along the way from Paris to these two cemeteries filled with delicate and elegant chrysanthemums.

Italy
On Halloween, Italians place an extra chair by the dining table at home because people believe the deceased relatives will return home on this day. Like other Christian countries, Italians usually go to the graves around November 2nd. People tidy up the family cemetery, light candles, arrange flowers, and pay homage to the dead relatives.

Spain
In Spain, November 1st is called Días de todos Los Santos and is a very religious festival. People light candles on the cemetery, lay flowers, and pray for them. At the same time, this day is also a legal holiday in Spain. The church will also hold a special mass to pay homage to the dead and decorate with various flowers and colorful colors. There is a must-have dessert for Halloween in Spain. The Spanish call it Buuelos de Viento, which are puffs sprinkled with sugar or cinnamon.

Andy Ha

Andy Ha, Head of Marketing of Clooms Tech.

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