Halloween Around the World: How Different Cultures Celebrate Spooky Season
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Halloween is one of the most exciting holidays for kids and adults alike, with its costumes, candy, and spooky decorations. But did you know Halloween’s history goes back thousands of years, and there are many festivals around the world that celebrate the same themes of spirits, ancestors, and the supernatural—all in their own unique and fascinating ways?
Before we dive into the different celebrations across the globe, let’s look at how Halloween came to be.
A Quick History of Halloween
Halloween’s origins date back over 2,000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (pronounced “sow-win”), celebrated in what is now Ireland, the United Kingdom, and parts of northern France. The Celts believed that on October 31st, the boundary between the living and the dead blurred, allowing spirits to return to earth. To ward off wandering ghosts, people would light bonfires, wear animal-skin costumes, and carve turnips into lanterns—yep, the early version of today’s jack-o’-lanterns!
Fast forward to the 8th century, when the Christian Church moved All Saints’ Day, or All Hallows’ Day, to November 1st. The night before became known as All Hallows’ Eve—which eventually turned into Halloween. As Halloween spread to America, it evolved into the costume-and-candy extravaganza we know and love today.
But Halloween isn’t the only spooky celebration out there. Families all over the world have their own traditions that are just as fun and meaningful. So this year, why not expand your Halloween celebration by learning about some “spooky season” traditions from around the world? Here are a few to get you started, along with some fun activities to experience these unique celebrations at home!
1. Hungry Ghost Festival — China
In Chinese culture, the Hungry Ghost Festival (中元节 or Zhōngyuán Jié) happens during the seventh month of the lunar calendar, often called “Ghost Month.” It’s believed that during this time, spirits are free to roam the earth. To keep these ghosts happy, families offer food, incense, and even burn paper money to help ancestors in the afterlife.
Family Activity: Create Your Own Paper Lanterns During the Hungry Ghost Festival, people often release lanterns to guide spirits back to the underworld. You can make your own lanterns at home using construction paper, markers, and a flameless candle. Write a little message for a loved one or decorate it with your kids’ favorite designs to send good vibes to the other side!
2. Día de los Muertos — Mexico
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. It’s a joyful time to honor loved ones who have passed away and welcome their spirits back for a family reunion. Families build beautiful altars, called ofrendas, decorated with photos, flowers, candles, and favorite foods of the deceased.
Family Activity: Build a Mini Altar Together Choose a small table or shelf at home and build a mini ofrenda with your children. Use photos, flowers (real or paper), and small mementos that remind you of family members or even beloved pets who have passed. This is a lovely way to talk about family history and teach kids about remembering loved ones with joy.
3. Obon — Japan
Obon (お盆) is a Japanese Buddhist festival held in mid-August to honor the spirits of ancestors. During Obon, families visit and clean their ancestors’ graves, offer food, and light lanterns to guide spirits back to the other world. Many communities celebrate with Bon Odori, a traditional dance to welcome the spirits.
Family Activity: Host a Bon Odori Dance Party Put on some Japanese music and host a mini Bon Odori dance party at home! Search for simple Bon Odori dance steps online and make up your own moves to “welcome” good spirits. Kids will love creating a fun dance routine, and you can even make it a family dance-off.
4. Pchum Ben — Cambodia
Pchum Ben, or Ancestors’ Day, takes place in Cambodia for 15 days around mid-September to mid-October. It’s a time for Cambodians to honor up to seven generations of their ancestors by visiting temples, making offerings of food and rice balls, and lighting incense to bring peace to wandering spirits.
Family Activity: Make a Memory Jar Encourage your kids to draw pictures or write short notes for grandparents or relatives they want to honor. Place these drawings in a memory jar, and take turns sharing stories about your family. Light a small (flameless) candle by the jar to show warmth and love to those who came before.
5. Gai Jatra — Nepal
Gai Jatra, or the Cow Festival, is celebrated in Nepal in August. Families who have lost a loved one in the past year dress up a cow (or a child in a cow costume!) and parade through the streets to guide the spirit of the deceased to heaven. This festival is known for its lively parades, costumes, and humorous performances that turn grief into a celebration of life.
Family Activity: Create Your Own Cow Costume With just a few household items, you can make a cow mask out of paper plates or cardboard and paint it together as a family. Have a mini parade around your living room, complete with silly cow sounds, and talk about the importance of humor and joy, even during sad times.
Celebrate Diversity This Halloween!
Exploring these global traditions can be a wonderful way to expand your family’s understanding of different cultures while making Halloween even more special. It shows kids that spooky celebrations aren’t just about scares and candy—they’re also about honoring loved ones and connecting with our roots.
How to Blend Cultures into Your Halloween Celebration:
Combine Treats from Around the World: Make a snack plate that includes Mexican pan de muerto, Japanese mochi, or Chinese mooncakes.
Tell Stories from Different Cultures: Instead of the usual ghost stories, try sharing tales from Chinese, Mexican, or Japanese folklore. This can be a fun way to introduce new traditions and discuss how different cultures see the supernatural.
By learning about these celebrations, we can appreciate how people all around the world connect with their ancestors, honor their loved ones, and celebrate life and death. So this Halloween, make your celebration multicultural, and teach your kids that it’s a holiday celebrated in many different, yet equally special, ways!
You can also watch our fun Halloween video with your kids 🎃