Tripeden.com Reveals Its Spookiest Attractions in Destinations Around the World to Celebrate Halloween
Whether joining a Halloween parade, swapping sweet sugary treats with loved ones, trick-or-treating or telling fictional fairytale stories, Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays, oozing history and culture - and fun! As 35%* of travelers reveal that they travel to experience different lifestyles and cultures, we have shared some of the most haunting destinations and attractions to cast a holiday spell on travelers this October.
Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico’s capital city, Mexico City is famed for its art and vibrant culture, cuisine and arguably one of the most celebrated holidays of the year, ‘The Day of the Dead’. While Halloween is traditionally marked on October 31, The Day of the Dead is celebrated on either November 1 or 2, depending on locality, so visitors are definitely recommended to stay for the week to catch all the festivities! This Mexican tradition brings communities together to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed away, honoring them through comedic anecdotes and laying marigold flowers, while exchanging gifts in the form of candy sugar skulls (calaveras) or feasting on pan de muerto with loved ones. Mixquic Day of the Dead Celebration from Mexico City is the perfect way for travelers to immerse themselves in The Day of the Dead culture, by visiting the town most renowned for this holiday. If visiting outside of the spooky season, Mexico City’s history can help ignite some terrors by visiting gothic-inspired buildings such as Palacio de Correos and Chapultepec Castle.
Where to stay: With dark and atmospheric interiors, Casa Emilia B&B Boutique provides globetrotters with a peaceful place to lay their head after a busy day of jump scares. An adults-only property with a terrace and garden space, the hotel is within walking distance of the city's attractions, making it even easier to join in The Day of the Dead celebrations.
Anoka, Minnesota
Known as the ‘Halloween Capital of the World’, Anoka is a northern suburb in Minnesota. For almost a century, residents of the Minnesota town have held a community-wide celebration for Halloween, including three parades: the Light up the Night Parade, showcasing illuminated parade balloons that travel down Main Street; Grand Day Parade, a three-hour spectacle that weaves through the town; and Big Parade of Little People, where school children take part in the celebrations. Today in the United States, Halloween is one of the most celebrated holidays, with many communities committed to making each year’s festivities better than the last. Travelers looking for a scare all-year-round can book onto the Lost Souls Tour to visit The Wabasha Street Caves and find out more about the ghosts and ghouls that haunt Anoka’s past.
Where to stay: Located in the heart of Arbor Lakes, SpringHill Suites Minneapolis Maple Grove/Arbor Lakes is the ideal place for travelers who are looking for a bit of relaxation while on vacation. Arbor Lake is a commercial and residential district within Anoka, and is a short drive away from all of the ritualistic events taking place in the town.
Prague, Czech Republic
Known as the historic heart of Czech Republic, Prague is famed for its magnificent baroque buildings, medieval astronomical clocks and gothic churches and cathedrals. Coined ‘The City of Hundred Spires’, the windy paths and narrow streets create an eerie atmosphere to the city, ideal for exploring in spooky October. During Halloween itself, visitors can get stuck into a range of events including trick-or-treating, flamboyant street parades, carnivals and storytelling festivals. However, no matter the time of year there is so much to see and explore in the Czech Republic capital whether looking for a history tour or to dive headfirst into gothic classics, from Charles Bridge to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. Travelers looking for a fright can get up close and personal with the cabaret performers at the Black light theater comedy show in Prague.
Where to stay: Situated within a historic property, Golden Well is nothing short of spectacular, boasting gothic architecture, enchanting features and period elements, perfect for witches and wizards alike. With a fully equipped fitness center, spacious rooms and restaurants serving unlimited cuisine options, visitors are also just a short stroll from the city center.
Derry, Northern Ireland
Home to Europe’s largest Halloween party, Derry is known for bringing ghosts, ghouls, witches and wizards together for a four-night Halloween spectacular every year. Welcoming in the harvest and the ‘dark half of the year’ into the walled city through the spirit of Samhain, thrillseekers can uncover tales of folklore, history and heritage that make the city what it is today. Derry, officially known as Londonderry, is the second largest city in Northern Ireland. While known for Halloween, the city is also famed for its 400-year-old City Walls, museums oozing history, and its many architectural wonders, including The Guildhall. Whether visiting in October or looking to experience its hidden secrets all year round, travelers can book onto the Derry/Londonderry - Darker History Private Walking Tour to hear more of the darker, enchanted and haunted city.
Where to stay: Embodying elegance and tastefulness, The Lawrence offers guests a refined place to stay in the Walled City of Derry. Situated within a historic building, this boutique hotel provides an authentic representation of its place in time and history with the ambience and decor alluding to a sense of mystery and intrigue.
*Research was commissioned by Tripeden.com and independently conducted among a sample of adults who took a leisure trip with an overnight stay in the last 12 months, plan to travel in 2024, and are involved in trip planning. The sample is comprised of 32,300 respondents across 32 markets (2,000 from USA, 800 from Canada, 1,800 from Mexico, 800 from Colombia, 1,800 from Brazil, 800 from Argentina, 1,800 from Australia, 500 from New Zealand, 800 from Spain, 800 from Italy, 1,800 from France, 1,800 from UK, 1,800 from Germany, 800 from Netherlands, 500 from Denmark, 500 from Sweden, 400 from Croatia, 800 from Switzerland, 800 from Belgium, 800 from Ireland, 800 from Portugal, 1,800 from India, 800 from China, 500 from Hong Kong, 800 from Thailand, 800 from Singapore, 500 from Taiwan, 800 from Vietnam, 800 from South Korea, 1,800 from Japan, 500 from UAE) surveyed in January or February 2024.