This year, be adventurous and go somewhere unique for this special holiday. Europe is notorious for celebrating Halloween with a scary and exciting twist. If you still aren't sure which destinations in Europe would be your cup of tea, here are the best cities for celebrating Halloween in Europe that you can choose from.
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1. Romania
Visit Sighisoara in Transylvania. Where better to experience Halloween than in the place where it all started. Romania is legendary and best known as the home of horrors. In addition, there is one more thing Romania is known all over the world. I think we all heard of Vlad the Impaler. This might not ring a bell, but Dracula surely does. Come and see where Dracula originated from.
Sighisoara is a small town that has the power to make your pulse rise from fear like no other place. For those that aren’t just seeking the thrill of fear, but also looking to party, there are many parties and shows that you can experience. Uniquely, the visitors are participants in the performance. So, bust out your favorite travel planning app and start planning your trip to Romania.
Do you dare to party in the woods during the scariest night? Halloween is worshiped in Transylvania.
As you can tell, Romania ranks pretty high on the Halloween totem pole. The town of Sighisoara is not the only place in Romania that can strike fear in your heart. Bran Castle in Transylvania is located 3.5 hours from the capital of Romania, Bucharest. Be careful during this ride to Bran Castle. The last thing you want is to be stranded on the side of the road.
The gruesome vibe of Transylvania will make the hairs on the back of your neck rise in no time. The surroundings around the castle are spectacular for celebrating Halloween. Plus, there is a big party hosted each year. Here is a brilliant twist! The party is located in the neck of the woods and not in the castle. Get ready for the Halloween Monster Party in Transylvania and experience fear like never before.
2. United Kingdom
Celebrate Halloween next to Big Ben in London. London is a mecca for any type of celebration. Thus, Halloween is no exception. The decorations on the streets are mind-blowing and the spirit of this creepy holiday can be felt everywhere you go. There are many fabulous and startling events that you must attend in London, but you will have to choose them on your own. Still, we must mention Guy Fawkes Night aka. Bonfire Night. This night is perfect for those that love fireworks and bonfires.
3. Ireland
Derry hosts one of the largest festivals in Europe. Celebrating Halloween in Europe without a party or a festival doesn’t make much sense. Every year, once the end of October hits, this town gets transformed into a treacherous land. To top it off, there are fireworks, zombie nights, witchery classes and many other interesting things to see.
Of course, if you visit Derry, you cannot miss out on the Game of Thrones Tour. If you are a true Halloween fanatic, you are already contacting the best international airlines and booking your flight to Ireland.
As you can tell, Ireland is in a way like Romania, one of the top places for celebrating Halloween in Europe. Therefore, we cannot miss mentioning the festival of Samhain. This Gaelic festival represents the beginning of winter (darker half) and the end of the harvest season. Since the Celtic days began with the sunset, this special festival is celebrated from October 31st to November 1st.
You might be wondering what makes this festival Halloween worthy? Well, it is believed that on this day, the lines between the living world and the dead start to blur. Are you daring enough to experience this chilling but so inviting festival?
4. Germany
Don’t miss St. Martin's Day in Germany. This special day is also known as Martinstag and is celebrated on November 11th. Right now, you might be thinking somebody has their dates mixed up. After all, Halloween is celebrated on October 31st. However, the dates aren’t supposed to be the same and St. Martin's day represents old Halloween.
Don't miss this special day, celebrated in Germany and other European countries as well. It might not be a gruesome and scary experience, but it will be a big treat for your younger family members. Saint Martin of Tours is a saint celebrated by focusing on children and giving them special treats like candy, cookies, and fruit.
5. Netherlands
Celebrating Halloween in Europe can't happen without experiencing it in Amsterdam.
You will be craving fear on Halloween. However, be careful what you wish for. Amsterdam is one of those cities that is gorgeous and entertaining. So, it's no surprise that residents of Amsterdam do not hold back on Halloween. This place is a mecca for Halloween festivals and parties. You might not be frightened to the bone, but you can party until dawn.
We must also mention the Amsterdam Spook. This unforgettable Halloween shebang is introduced at the Paleis van de Weemoed night theatre. Don't miss this spine-tingling event. It is perfect for those that chase fear on this gruesome night. Be careful, Amsterdam is beautiful. You might visit it for Halloween, but you might stay for something else. We wouldn’t be surprised if the first thing on your to-do list after this trip would be finding reliable professionals for your international move.
6. Czech Republic
Feel the mystery of Prague. Even on regular days, Prague has a certain mystery to it, so you can only imagine what happens on Halloween. The streets of Prague during gloomy October nights can be terrifying. You might catch yourself watching your back while roaming the streets. Isn't that what we yearn for during the scariest holiday?
Still, Prague is a beautiful city but it does have a daunting past. Consequently, a glimpse of this torturous past comes to life on Halloween night. The unique vibe of Prague enhances the experience of Halloween. If you think you are fearless, you can put yourself to the test. Visit Daliborka Tower, named after an infamous prisoner, and see what you are truly made of.
Nevertheless, if you aren’t looking for the distress of Halloween, but for parties, Prague is still your perfect place. Bloody Sexy Halloween will be the perfect event for you. This place is ideal for those that are looking for a fearsome and fun experience. After all, that is exactly what you want out of your travel experience when celebrating Halloween in Europe.
In the Czech Republic, good old autumn fun doesn't end with Halloween. It continues until All Souls Day or as Czechs would call it Dušičky. This day is commemorated by going to the cemetery. It is a tradition to light dozens of candles while there. So, once November 2nd comes around, overcome your fear of cemeteries and continue celebrating Halloween Czech style.
7. Finland
Finnish light candles on family graves on All Saints’ Day at the beginning of November, when days are already quite short. Candlelight looks beautiful in the blue twilight and against the first snow. All Saints’ Day is an imported religious holiday. It has some significance in the liturgical calendar, but not much otherwise.
Finnish have candlelight processions that end at cemeteries on Independence Day, the sixth of December. The graves of fallen soldiers are decorated with wreaths, sashes, and flower garlands. Candles are lit. There is a lighter aspect to Finnish independence celebrations as well, but it is primarily a solemn occasion. Centered around reflecting, reminiscing, and paying tribute to those who sacrificed for our freedom and sovereignty.
Christmas is celebrated on Yule Eve (jouluaatto). Seas of candles will appear on graves around the Declaration of Christmas Peace, at noon, or before supper. The evening is reserved for partying and presents. Taking place during the polar night, Christmas is the candlelight holiday of the year.
Lutheran tradition of lighting candles on graves during the Christmas holidays is fairly recent. It has been speculated that it might have been influenced by Eastern Orthodoxy. Christmas celebrations have replaced Kekri, a pagan harvest festival. It was a feast with lots of singing, dancing, drinking, and stuffing your face.
There was also a goat-type figure that visited houses and asked for gifts and offerings. The master of the household would happily offer some food or drink to the young man dressed as a goat. Being able to share was a point of pride. The Finnish name for Santa Claus remains Yule goat still (joulupukki).
With the introduction of Christianity, Kekri became a celebration of life and death. Offerings were, then, given to the spirits of those who had passed away. They were typically food, but they could have also been wreaths left at holy sites. Finnish don’t like to attend the Christmas mass in the church. Lighting candles on the family grave is part of Finnish Yuletide tradition nonetheless.
Visiting the grave is the ‘holy’ part of the holiday. Finns tend to grieve privately. Some seek strength from the forest. Others keep the grave decorated throughout the first year and then, as time passes, on major holidays. It’s part of the grieving process. The parish and the sacristan tend to soldiers’ graves. Relatives and friends tend to their own.
8. Italy
Celebrating Halloween in Europe cannot be complete without a spectacular carnival. Therefore, you should not miss out on ‘The Witches Festival’ in Corinaldo. This gorgeous old-fashioned town transforms into Halloween wonderland every October. The town is very small, yet it doesn’t lack in the entertainment department.
So, everything from parties, scary performances and fireworks can be experienced in this small but very special town in Italy. Use budget-friendly hacks when moving to Italy for Halloween and experience this disturbing holiday like never before.
As you can see, the possibilities of celebrating Halloween in Europe are endless. Everything from parties, scary dungeons, houses of horror, and many other disturbing things can be found overseas. So, what are you waiting for? Break your Halloween rut and experience something exciting and new. You will not regret celebrating Halloween in Europe.
