Halloween's not just an American holiday, even though almost as much money is spent on it as Christmas in the States. These countries do Halloween up just as well:
Ireland – the Emerald Isle is known for being the originator of Halloween, where Samhain started. Halloween is celebrated widely with large street parties, bonfires and fireworks. Dublin will host its Halloween Festival and Parade, where ghostly creatures take to the highways and byways of the city.
UK – Halloween is well celebrated in the UK especially with children, but adults also get in on the action too. One of the more interesting events this year is the London Zombie walk, where hundreds of people dressed as the undead will walk through the streets of the capital, moaning and groaning as they visit twelve pubs along the way.
Mexico – The Day of the Dead which occurs on the 1st and 2nd of November is dedicated to the celebration of those who have died. It is a joyous festival because it’s believed that this is when lost ones return to earth to visit their families and friends. The celebrations see bright street carnivals with elaborate costumes, skulls and coffins paraded through cities, towns and villages throughout the country.
Germany – While Halloween is still quite a new tradition, it has become increasingly popular with children and adults alike since the 90s. One of the most well visited Halloween events is the festival celebrated at Castle Frankenstein near Frankfurt/Main. Visitors will feel a ghostly chill as 77 zombies follow them through the darkness and hair-raising shows loom behind every corner.
Madagascar – Halloween is little celebrated on this island off the east coast of Africa, but Madagascans do have a particularly unusual way of honoring their dead. The ‘turning of the bones’ is an ancient ritual where the tombs of the dead are opened, the remains removed, dressed in fresh clothes and then passed around and danced with by friends and relatives.
Source: Skyscanner.com
Picture: CC BY 2.0
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