Celebrate Halloween in Europe

If you thought Halloween was an American holiday, you would be wrong. Europe certainly celebrates Halloween. In fact, if you dig far enough through the annals of pagan history, it seems the whole Halloween thing seems to have its roots in the Old World. The result of combining ancient Roman Feralia, which commemorates the passing of the dead, with Celtic Samhain, makes it seem as though Halloween, as we know it today, may have moved from Europe to America with people Irish immigration.

History of Halloween

Halloween did not take on its present form until All Saints Day was proclaimed by Pope Gregory IV to replace the traditional pagan festival. As Christian influence spread across Europe in the Middle Ages, the newer holy holiday was associated with the well-established Celtic ritual. During this cultural transition, the night before all Holy Days became New Year's Eve, and people went to beg for food (or "soul candy") to feed the poor.

The festival was further transformed as colonists in the Americas merged with the fall Native American harvest celebration that included tales of the dead and mischief of all kinds. These celebrations continued to be reinforced as part of the holiday as more and more European immigrants came to the new world, bringing with them European traditions.

Halloween celebrations across Europe

Although Halloween is not celebrated as lavishly as it is in the US, many European countries have unique ways of marking the most magical holidays.

Here are some local festivals you can join if you find yourself in Europe on October 31:

England

Take a tour of the London Dungeon, made especially freaky for Halloween. Be sure to book tickets in advance though because they sell out every year.

If you're more of a party type, London has a Halloween pub-crawling past some spooky locations. Outfits, of course, are optional.

And don't forget, Guy Fawkes Day, also known as Bonfire Night, takes place on 5 November in the UK If you're still in the mood for disgust, you can take in the plethora of fireworks and performances Campfires take place around town.

Scotland

Edinburgh has a strong Halloween scene, with guided tours through the city's creepy landmarks and all of Scotland.

Like its London counterpart, the Edinburgh Dungeon offers Halloween tours with special events.

France

Disneyland Paris goes all out for Halloween each year, so if you're traveling with kids, a hotel package can be a fun family solution.

The town of Limoges is famous for its celebration of Toussaint (the French version of All Saints Day). If you fancy some time away from the capital, check out their many events.

Italy

Italy has gone crazy on Halloween in recent years. Restaurants, cinemas, museums, and other tourist attractions have all joined in the action. Check local guides for specific offers.

Transylvania

For seasoned Halloween fans, you can go all out and visit the birthplace of a lot of creepy folklore: Transylvania, home of Vlad the Impaler, aka Dracula. You can travel quaintly through the country's medieval castles, including the old home of Dracula.