Halloween, one of the most popular secular holidays, was mostly celebrated in the USA before it spread throughout the entire world. Today people in Europe, Asia, and Australia enjoy spooky costume parties, scary movies and carving pumpkins around 31 October.
However, Halloween goes back to the ancient Celtic festival Samhain. People lit bonfires and wore costumes to ward off ghosts and ghouls lurking in the shadows of the increasingly shorter days. Samhain traditions were also incorporated into the All Saints celebrations on 1 November and All Hallows Eve, celebrated the day before. In the 1800s, Irish immigrants took these traditions with them to the USA where Halloween turned into a secular, family-friendly event.
Today, Halloween has become all about trick-or-treating, attending scary movie nights, and invitations to countless costume parties. But whether you light a bonfire in commemoration of the ancient traditions or find yourself at a Monster Mash flash mob, our events have something in store for everyone.
Ghouls, Ghosts and “Vintage Scary”
On Saturday, 22 October, we start off the Halloween party season with a spooky Halloween costume party in Minneapolis. If you enjoy dressing up as a ghost, ghoul or creature of the night, then this party is for you! Join other expats in Minneapolis for food, fun, and frights and don’t forget to add your favorite tunes to the party playlist.
The Toulouse Halloween Party on Wednesday, 26 October, takes place at the heart of the city. Although costumes are not required, you will want to dust off your witches’ hat, since the best costume will be rewarded with a prize.
Ready to eat, drink and be scary? Meet other ghoulish expats at the Bogotá Halloween Party on Friday, 28 October, and have a wicked fun time. This party takes place at a popular craft beer and tapas bar, and includes a costume contest as well as some fun games.
On Saturday, 29 October, it is time for Shanghai’s first Monster’s Ball at the glamorous M1NT Club. The theme of the night is “Vintage Scary” and, although costumes are optional, we would love to see you in your scariest attire, most devilish top hat or simply dressed in black with a touch of red.
Sydney’s Halloween Weekend awaits you on Friday, 28 October! For this event, the venue will be transformed into a carnival of tricks and treats complete with weird and wonderful performances, tarot card readers, contortionists, magicians and bed nail performers. Join us there for an unforgettable Halloween!
Park Your Broomstick and Have a Drink
On Saturday, 29 October, it is time for our Halloween party in Oslo. Aside from a fabulous event and a great crowd, a costume contest awaits you! So bring your a-game and whip up the best and scariest costume ever to win a great prize. Check out the pictures of last year’s party to find out what our Oslo Halloween party has in store for you.
Would you prefer to celebrate Halloween on, well, Halloween? We have something for you, too, of course.
Our Sarajevo Community invites all members to their Halloween party on Monday, 31 October. Creep, crawl or fly over and enjoy some chit-chat with other creatures of the night. For the first ones to come around and park their broomsticks, there will be a welcome drink as well.
Join us at the New York Official All Hallow’s Eve Event on Monday, 31 October, to celebrate with other witches, vampires, ghosts and ghouls! We are looking forward to seeing all of your creative costumes on a fun-filled evening of mixing and mingling. Check out last year’s event pictures to find out how New York does Halloween.
Get Ready for some Pumpkin Carving
Our groups are also in the Halloween mood and ready to wave their magic wands to provide you with a spooky good time.
On Sunday, 23 October, the Tokyo Culture Group is meeting up for some fun pumpkin carving. Bring your craziest ideas and get creative with your designs. This activity is also a good choice for those of you looking for a family-friendly Halloween activity.
The Sydney Singles Group is gathering for a Halloween/Black Party Harbor Boat Cruise on Friday, 28 October. This is a great choice for high-end party-goers and includes a full buffet and complimentary champagne. Of course, it’s not Halloween without a costume contest, so dust of your Halloween attire and join us there!
On Monday, 31 October, prepare to have a bloody good time with the Munich Party People. Dress up as a witch, a ghost, or come as yourself to mingle with other group members, hit the dance floor and enjoy a traditional Halloween party.
Trick or treat, pumpkin carving, movie nights or costume parties? Let us know how you are celebrating this year’s Halloween.
Image credits: 1) iStockphoto, 2) Barn Images, 3+4) Pexels, 5+6) InterNations, 7) Pexels, 8) iStockphoto
“Halloween, one of the most popular secular holidays, was mostly celebrated in the USA…”
I think that’s rewriting history somewhat.
How about: “mostly celebrated in the UK, before spreading to the USA, and then the rest of the world”?
Dear Phil,
Thank you for pointing this out. As you can see from the second paragraph of our article, Halloween has its origins in the ancient Celtic festival Samhain, the traditions of which were brought to the USA by Irish immigrants. This is where it developed into the secular, family-friendly, spook-tacular holiday that we all know and love today. In this form, it was indeed mostly celebrated in the USA before it spread the globe again.
We apologize if that first sentence of the article is slightly misleading and hope that you have a fantastic Halloween!
Best,
Franziska