Halloween might be a bit of an anti-religious holiday, but it does have something in common with Christmas and Easter:
It sure was better when you were a kid.
The trick ‘or’ treating, the bobbing for apples, the dressing up, eating sweets ‘til you threw up all over your costume, then coming back swingin’ for round 2…those were good times. We get lazy in our old age. We show up to a party with a pair of devil horns that we got last minute at a pound shop, Michael Jackson’s Thriller plays in the background (on repeat) and the highlight of our night is a cheeky wink from Harry Potter across the hall. It doesn’t have to be this way. In fact, Halloween can be nearly as awesome as it was when we were kids. We just have to know where to celebrate it. This year, why not get lost in one of best places in the world to celebrate Halloween and revive the ancient art of silliness we lose somewhere along the way.
So where to go?
- Derry, Northern Ireland
Derry takes fun very seriously on Halloween. And Ireland is after all the birthplace of the festival, although it was called Samhain back then (pronounced sow-an, sow like the pig, not sew) The Banks of the Foyle carnival goes from October 17th to November 2nd with a packed programme of events, from Zombie laser tag to monster origami, a haunted house to a festival of light, ghost bus tours, ghost-storytelling, night markets and a freaky fun fair. All the excitement builds to an explosive climax on Halloween night, when the sky is lit by an impressive fireworks display. With flights into Derry Airport available for less than fifty quid, what are you waiting for?
- Transylvania, Romania
Where better to celebrate Halloween than in the birthplace of Dracula? You can book a 2 day Halloween party in the medieval city of Sighisoara in Transylvania where you’ll indulge in blood cocktails, aka hot red wine spiced with cinnamon, while participating in the evening rituals, the first of witch (eh? first pun of the blog) is a salem-style trial. The Count himself will join guests and relay his story in a non-verbal stage production titled ‘Dracula’s Wedding.’ The evening continues with a live band of traditional Romanian folk, dancing. A competition for best costume and best howling wolf, and cake (in the shape of a coffin, of course.) It’s definitely one of the more non-traditional ways you can celebrate Halloween, and one which those who enjoy a little theatrics will definitely enjoy.
- Oaxaca, Mexico
The Day of the Dead festival, or Dia de Los Muertos as it is known, welcomes those who have passed back to walk the earth with their loved ones again for two days. Families light candles to guide spirits home and the air is filled with the scent of homemade treats and candies shaped like skulls. The streets of Oaxaca are lined with colourful processions, and alters offer up lights, fruit and flowers to the dead. It’s a unique cultural experience to excite your worldly curiosities, one which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.
- Greenwich Village, New York City
The biggest Halloween celebration in America, The Village Halloween party attracts 2 million spectators and a further 4 million who chose to tune in to watch it on TV. Staying true its roots-it was started by mask maker and puppeteer Ralph Lee- pageant sized puppets are one of the main attractions, along with expertly adorned floated, spectacular costumes, masks, street performers, circus acts and live bands. The night is as zany, bizarre and utterly fabulous as the costumes are.
- Toronto, Canada
Celebrating Halloween in Toronto is a week-long stream of eye-poppingly exciting events, from the 5k zombie walk to the Halloween Ghost Ship Cruise and the flamboyantly ghoulish parade, to the Back in the Day 90’s Halloween party, and a host of others. There is a party for every blood type in Toronto, and people go hard in their bids for best costume. Horror fans will enjoy the After Dark Film Festival, an interesting and eclectic selection of local and international offerings. This year promises more creepy kids, zombie beavers, werewolves and ghost hunters.
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