Halloween started as a harvest festival in ancient Celtic Ireland, and today it is celebrated in gloriously different ways around the world — from candlelit witch-trial towns in New England to fire festivals in Scotland and skull-filled parades in Mexico. If you want to spend October 31 somewhere unforgettable, these are the destinations that do Halloween best.
1. Salem, Massachusetts, USA
No place on earth owns Halloween like Salem. The site of the infamous 1692 witch trials transforms every October into a month-long celebration called Haunted Happenings, with costume balls, psychic fairs, haunted houses and historic walking tours. Visit the Salem Witch Museum for the history behind the hysteria, then join a nighttime ghost tour through the old burying grounds. Book accommodation months ahead — October in Salem sells out fast. Salem sits just north of Boston, so it pairs well with a broader trip; see our guide to places to visit near Boston in fall for the full autumn picture.
2. Sleepy Hollow, New York, USA
Washington Irving’s 1820 tale “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” gave America its most famous headless horseman, and the real village leans into the legend every October. The Great Jack O’Lantern Blaze at nearby Van Cortlandt Manor displays thousands of hand-carved, illuminated pumpkins in elaborate scenes, while the Old Dutch Church and its lantern-lit cemetery host evening storytelling events.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Few American cities wear the supernatural as naturally as New Orleans. The Krewe of Boo rolls through the French Quarter as the city’s official Halloween parade, with floats, marching bands and costumed riders. Between events, explore the above-ground cemeteries of St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, the voodoo shops of the French Quarter and the city’s famously haunted hotels.
4. Edinburgh, Scotland
Edinburgh’s medieval closes and underground vaults were made for ghost stories. Around Halloween, the city hosts the Samhuinn Fire Festival, a dramatic torchlit procession marking the Celtic new year, while year-round ghost tours descend into the vaults beneath the Royal Mile. The city’s dark history — from body snatchers to witch trials — gives every story genuine roots.
5. Derry, Northern Ireland
Derry’s Halloween festival, held in the ancient walled city, is billed as one of Europe’s largest Halloween celebrations. The multi-day programme builds to a spectacular parade and fireworks over the River Foyle on October 31, with the 17th-century walls and costumed street performers creating an atmosphere few places can match.
6. Transylvania, Romania
Bram Stoker never visited, but Bran Castle — the cliff-top fortress forever linked with the Dracula legend — hosts atmospheric Halloween parties inside its stone walls each year. Beyond the castle, Transylvania’s fortified churches, misty Carpathian forests and medieval towns like Sighisoara (Vlad the Impaler’s birthplace) make the whole region feel like the setting of a gothic novel.
7. Anoka, Minnesota, USA
Anoka calls itself the “Halloween Capital of the World,” a title it traces to 1920, when the town staged one of America’s first organised Halloween parades to keep young pranksters out of mischief. The tradition continues with weeks of events: parades, pumpkin carving, house decorating contests and a night parade lit by thousands of spectators.
8. Mexico City, Mexico
Strictly speaking, Mexico celebrates Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) on November 1–2 rather than Halloween — and it is magnificent. Mexico City’s Mega Desfile de Día de Muertos sends giant skeleton puppets, dancers and ofrendas (offerings) down Paseo de la Reforma, while families build elaborate home altars honouring ancestors. It is a joyful, deeply meaningful counterpart to Halloween’s spookiness.
9. London, England
London does Halloween with history. The Tower of London runs after-dark tours among its thousand years of executions and hauntings, Highgate Cemetery opens for evening ghost walks among Victorian gothic tombs, and Hampton Court Palace leans into its haunted reputation. The city’s pubs, many centuries old and several reportedly haunted, complete the experience.
10. Kawasaki, Japan
For something completely different, head to Kawasaki, between Tokyo and Yokohama, for Japan’s biggest Halloween parade. Tens of thousands of costumed participants — from anime characters to horror creations — march through the city in one of Asia’s most exuberant Halloween celebrations, reflecting Japan’s wholehearted embrace of cosplay culture.
Tips for a Halloween Trip
The last two weeks of October are prime time everywhere, and the most popular destinations — Salem especially — need hotel bookings several months in advance. Theme park events like Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights and Disney’s Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party run on select nights through the fall and also sell out early. If you are travelling with children, look for daytime events: pumpkin patches, corn mazes and “not-so-scary” parties keep the fun without the fright — our roundup of the best places to visit in New England with kids includes family-friendly autumn options. For Salem-specific planning, the official Destination Salem site lists the full Haunted Happenings calendar.
FAQ
- When is the best time to visit a Halloween destination?
The last two weeks of October, when festivals and haunted attractions are in full swing. Arrive a few days before the 31st to enjoy events without peak-night crowds.
- Are Halloween destinations suitable for families?
Many are. Salem, Anoka and theme park events all run daytime, family-oriented programming alongside their scarier nighttime offerings.
- How far in advance should you book?
For Salem and major theme park events, book accommodation and tickets several months ahead — October inventory disappears quickly.
Final Thoughts
The best Halloween destination depends on the kind of thrill you want: genuine history in Salem and Edinburgh, gothic atmosphere in Transylvania and Derry, or joyful spectacle in Mexico City and Kawasaki. Pick the mood that suits you, book early, and pack a costume — you will not be the only one wearing one.
