Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is widely known for its spooky traditions in the United States, but countries around the globe have their own unique ways of marking this time of year. From honoring the dead to embracing playful frights, these global traditions offer fresh ideas for family-friendly Halloween activities. Here’s a look at how different cultures celebrate and how your family can join in the fun.
Mexico: Día de los Muertos
In Mexico, Halloween overlaps with Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), celebrated from October 31 to November 2. This vibrant holiday honors deceased loved ones with colorful altars (ofrendas), marigold flowers, sugar skulls, and pan de muerto (bread of the dead). Families visit cemeteries to clean graves and share stories, blending joy with remembrance.
Family Activity: Create a small ofrenda at home. Gather photos, candles, and small mementos of loved ones who have passed. Decorate with paper marigolds (made from tissue paper) and bake or buy pan de muerto. Kids can craft sugar skull designs using clay or draw them with vibrant markers. Share stories about your loved ones to keep their memories alive.
Ireland: The Birthplace of Halloween
Halloween traces its roots to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain in Ireland, marking the end of the harvest and the start of winter. Bonfires, costumes (to ward off spirits), and games like bobbing for apples are traditional. Today, Ireland celebrates with fireworks, spooky festivals, and storytelling.
Family Activity: Host an Irish-inspired Halloween night. Light a small bonfire (or use a fire pit) for storytelling—share spooky tales or myths. Try bobbing for apples: fill a tub with water, float apples, and let kids try to grab them with their teeth (hands-free!). For costumes, encourage disguises inspired by Celtic folklore, like fairies or ghosts.
Japan: Obon and Halloween Fusion
While Japan traditionally honors the dead during Obon in August, Halloween has gained popularity, especially in cities. Costumed parades, like Tokyo’s Kawasaki Halloween Parade, and themed events at places like Tokyo Disneyland draw crowds. Some families also visit graves, similar to Obon, blending modern and traditional elements.
Family Activity: Organize a mini costume parade in your backyard or neighborhood. Kids can dress as their favorite characters (anime-inspired for a Japanese twist). Create paper lanterns, a nod to Obon’s floating lanterns, and decorate them with spooky designs. Watch a family-friendly Japanese animated film, like Spirited Away, for a cozy movie night.
Philippines: Pangangaluluwa
In the Philippines, Pangangaluluwa (trick-or-treating’s ancestor) involves children singing or reciting verses door-to-door, representing souls seeking prayers. Families also visit cemeteries during All Saints’ and All Souls’ Days (November 1–2) to honor the dead with candles and flowers.
Family Activity: Try a Pangangaluluwa-inspired activity. Have kids create simple songs or poems about friendly spirits and perform them for family members. Reward them with small treats. Decorate your home with candles (battery-operated for safety) and flowers to mimic Filipino cemetery traditions, and share stories about ancestors.
Germany: Allerheiligen and Halloween
In Germany, Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day, November 1) is a solemn holiday for remembering the dead, especially in Catholic regions. Halloween is growing, with pumpkin carving and costume parties in urban areas. Some regions also carve turnips, a nod to older traditions.
Family Activity: Carve pumpkins or try turnip carving (use large turnips for easier handling). Create simple jack-o’-lanterns with battery-powered lights. Host a family costume party with a German twist—think fairy-tale characters from the Brothers Grimm, like witches or wolves. Bake pumpkin bread for a cozy treat.
Tips for a Global Halloween at Home
- Mix Traditions: Combine elements from different cultures. For example, make an ofrenda, carve pumpkins, and try bobbing for apples in one celebration.
- Keep It Age-Appropriate: Focus on fun, not fright. Use bright colors, playful costumes, and simple crafts for younger kids.
- Learn Together: Research one country’s traditions in depth. Watch videos or read books about their customs to spark curiosity.
- Involve Everyone: Assign roles—kids can craft, teens can lead games, and adults can share stories or cook themed treats.
By exploring global Halloween traditions, your family can create a memorable, meaningful celebration that blends spooky fun with cultural discovery. Whether it’s crafting sugar skulls or lighting lanterns, these activities bring everyone together for a night of connection and creativity.
Emily currently lives in Orange County, California after spending four years in Illinois and half a year teaching in Florence, Italy. She holds a B.A. in English Literature from Knox College and an M.A. in Counseling from the University of San Diego and has taught English to native speakers and ESL students for over three years. When she’s not working as a School Counselor or writing, she enjoys traveling the world, playing instruments, and blogging about Millennial experiences at Long Live the Twenties.