Halloween pumpkin head jack lantern with burning candles in scary deep night ()
Halloween in the U.S. inspires creative costume ideas, massive candy consumption and ridiculous lawn decorations that put some Christmas light displays to shame. While Halloween in its modern iteration is considered mostly an American holiday, it can be celebrated here in Europe as well.
Celebrate Samhain in Ireland and Scotland: Halloween’s historical origins date back to the ancient celebrations of Samhain (pronounced Sow-Inn)/ Samhuinn. In Celtic cultures, Samhain is believed to be the time of year when the veil between us and the spirit realm is the thinnest and is considered the “most significant” of the four annual fire festivals of the year, according to history.com. Villagers ate a “Dumb Supper” completely silent with a plate and cup set aside for an ancestor. Participants burned a bonfire to get rid of any dry vines or bushes. Today, it is typically celebrated on the night of Oct. 31/Nov. 1. Those in Ireland who want to celebrate this ancient holiday can do so at fires and festivals in Tlachtga, Derry, Meath and more. In Scotland, the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh is a must to check out.
Celebrate with the Vampires: From Anne Rice to “Twilight,” “Underworld,” “Dracula,” “Vampirina,” “Let the Right One In,” and “The Little Vampire,” the vampire is my favorite of the monsters associated with this most ghoulish holiday. If you want to explore various vampire lore and locations across Europe, here are some that may or may not have crossed your mind.
Film buffs will love this first location: Orava Castle in Slovakia. This castle was used as the backdrop for the 1922 film “Nosferatu.” Construction began on the castle in the 13th century with its most modern form existing from the 17th century. They offer a variety of tours, from those who want to learn all about spooky lore to those who may not be able to conquer the hundreds of tower steps, digital audio tours and guided tours in Slovakian and English.
If you are in Dublin for Samhain, make your way to Dublin from Oct. 27 to Oct. 30 to celebrate the Bram Stoker Festival. Stoker’s “Dracula” is a literary classic and this festival celebrates him with theater and choral performances, food tours, banquets, and more.
Of course, we cannot talk about celebrating Dracula without mentioning a trip to Transylvania, home of the infamous bloodsucker. According to travelaway.me, while in Transylvania, you can visit Dracula’s hometown, attend the Dracula Film Festival, encounter zombies and visit haunted castles.
Many people do not know this, but it is believed that Istria, Croatia is home of the first European vampire, also known as “Strigoi.” Jure Grando did not lead a memorable life but is believed to have haunted his widow and Istria for 16 years after his death in 1656, leaving behind a trail of corpses for some he visited in the night. One night in 1672, some brave villagers, armed with stakes and crucifixes, decided to take action and slayed Grando, sending him to his final death. While in Croatia, roaming the areas of Grando’s terror to get in your Halloween frights, you can also see the mummies of Vodnjan, Mirogoj Cemetery and the Tortureum according to croatiatraveller.com.
Celebrate by getting Scared: If the tricks and scares are your favorite part of Halloween, there are plenty of opportunities across Europe to get your fright on. Those in Amsterdam can attend the hybrid Halloween/music festival, Amsterdam Halloween, that combines the traditions of Halloween and three different areas for different music genres. Costumes are a must for this event: You must wear one to not only attend but also survive the night.
If you are in Italy this Halloween, make your way to Corinaldo, Italy, whose inhabitants are believed to be descendants of witches and every year they host the Witches Festival on the last four days of Oct. While in Italy, head on over to Monster’s Park in Bomarzo, filled with interesting and “grotesque” sculptures that will delight any monster lover.
Our readers in Germany have several options to get scared on Halloween.
From Oct. 10 to Nov. 4, you can be horrified in a 1000-year-old castle ruin at Burg Frankenstein. There are over 3000 sq. meters of scary shows, monsters and more. Those familiar with Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights will find similarities with Movie Park Germany’s Halloween Horror Fest featuring scare zones, horror mazes and shows. You can also try to survive Film Park Babelsberg Horror Nights 2023, filled with terrifying mazes to make your way through.
Celebrate with Family Fun: If you are like me, Halloween is more about fun than frights. Europe also has plenty of opportunities for family-friendly fun. From Oct. 12 to Nov. 5, families can enjoy rides and enchanted gardens at Halloween in Tivoli Gardens in Copenhagen, Denmark. Those who love Germany’s Legoland will enjoy their Monster Party all month long in October featuring 4-D movie adventures, parades, monster dances and more. While in Germany, head over to the Monsterkabinett. This may be an adventure for older children as an abandoned amusement park comes alive with animatronic monsters.
Whether you prefer the tricks or treats, there is something for everyone celebrating Halloween in Europe this year.
