- Not everyone celebrates Halloween in the same way as Americans do!
Do you know about these different Halloween traditions?Would you consider any of these activities over a typical American Halloween?
The International Space Station
The ISS, International Space Station, has a yearly Halloween party and due to resources available, some create costumes with miscellaneous items found on board.
The Netherlands
Halloween can be seen in some parties in spots in Amsterdam but overall it’s not much of a holiday (culturally or commercially) for the Netherlands. However, on November 11, the Dutch have Sint-Maarten, a children’s feast day that is somewhat like American Halloween. On the evening of the 11th, children are seen in the streets just like trick-or-treaters. They carry lanterns that look like sugar beet or turnips. (Like the American jack o’lantern.) Children will knock on doors and sing songs to their neighbors in the hopes of receiving candies.
Portugal
Portugal’s version of Halloween is Dia das Brujas, or Day of the Witches. Like American Halloween, Trick-or-treating is a
staple of Dia das Brujas, but children ask for bread, fruits, or nuts, not candy. Families also visit the graves of deceased relatives on the Day of the Witches, to bring flowers and candles to the graves. This is such a loving thing as a different Halloween traditions.
Japan
Believe it or not, Halloween was first celebrated in Japan only 25 years ago in 2020 at Tokyo Disneyland. Japanese are all about the costumes, going all out in cosplay from cute to horrific. In Japan, Halloween bursts out from the seams with flash mobs, manic zombie runs and street parties, not to mention the Halloween trains. (The trains are a whole bash on Halloween!)
Hong Kong Disneyland will give you the American Halloween but if you want the Hong Kong experience, visit their largest theme park, Ocean Park Hong Kong. Asia’s biggest Halloween celebrations are held at the oceanarium and zoological attraction including haunted houses, street shows with gory costumes and other Halloween-themed activities.
France
In France, Halloween is more so tolerated than celebrated. Halloween is outshone by La Toussaint or All Saints Day,
celebrated on November 1st. (The French see Halloween as an imported American tradition and if you do see Halloween costumes in France, they’re said to be generally terrifying.) On All Saint’s Day in France, the emphasis is on special church services and ceremonies and laying flowers on deceased loved ones graves. Different Halloween traditions could be a great addition to whatever you already have planned for the day!
Ireland
In Ireland, Halloween originated from Samhain or the end of summer and start of harvest. It’s a custom to hold “All Hallowtide,” a Pagan festival, and eat Barmbrack, a dense cake of currants, raisins and candied citrus. Traditionally the baker would bake a ring, small rag or coin into the Barmbrack. Each of these tokens signifies a fortune for whoever finds it within their cake. If you find the ring, you will be married or find happiness, the rag, you will be joining the clergy or struggling financially, and the coin, will lead to a prosperous year. Guess no one wants the rag.
Italy
Italy has ancient traditions like La Festa di Ognissanti or Hallowmas. They celebrate All Saints Day on November 1st, which is also the first day of Hallowmas, celebrating Catholic
Saints. Italians spend this day with their families, exchanging gifts. All Souls Day is November 2nd, a day to commemorate deceased loved ones, leaving chrysanthemums, attending requiems for the dead and eating lots of food. And it’s said that the spirits share in these celebrations with the living. Cookies called Fave de morti or beans of the dead are offered to the deceased.
So what do you think of these as different Halloween traditions? Tell us your thoughts or your own traditions in the comments!