Halloween is no longer just an American tradition—it has become a global celebration filled with haunted attractions, eerie festivals, and extravagant parties. This year, will you immerse yourself in haunted houses or vibrant street parades? Here are the best destinations to celebrate Halloween 2025 around the world.
1. Salem, Massachusetts, USA – The Halloween Capital
If you want an authentic Halloween experience, Salem is the place to be. Famous for the Salem Witch Trials, the city embraces its haunted history with month-long festivals, ghost tours, and reenactments. The Salem Haunted Happenings Festival offers costume balls, psychic readings, and haunted houses.
Must-Do: Visit the Witch House, take a haunted harbour cruise, or attend the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball.
2. Transylvania, Romania – Home of Dracula
For a gothic and eerie Halloween, Transylvania is unmatched. The region, home to Bran Castle (often linked to Dracula), hosts elaborate Halloween tours featuring medieval feasts, vampire-themed parties, and castle tours.
Must-Do: Attend the Bran Castle Halloween Party, where guests dress as vampires and explore the eerie castle at night.
3. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA – Voodoo & Ghosts
With its mix of Voodoo culture, haunted legends, and historic cemeteries, New Orleans delivers a uniquely spooky Halloween experience. The Krewe of Boo Halloween Parade is a must-see, featuring extravagant floats and costumed performers.
Must-Do: Visit the LaLaurie Mansion, known as one of the most haunted locations in the city.
4. York, England – Hallowscream at York Maze
York, one of the UK’s most haunted cities, offers an unforgettable Halloween experience with Hallowscream at York Maze. This award-winning attraction features multiple scare mazes, live actors, and terrifying special effects. The medieval city itself is filled with ghost tours, making it a perfect Halloween destination.
Must-Do: Brave the Hallowscream scare mazes and take a ghost walk through York’s historic streets.
5. Mexico City, Mexico – Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)
While Día de los Muertos isn’t exactly Halloween, the two celebrations overlap, making Mexico City one of the best places to visit in late October and early November. The city comes alive with elaborate parades, face-painted skeletons, and massive altars dedicated to the deceased.
Must-Do: Attend the Día de los Muertos Parade and visit the floating cemeteries of Xochimilco.
6. Edinburgh, Scotland – Ancient Samhain Celebrations
Edinburgh’s historic streets and eerie underground vaults make it an ideal Halloween destination. The Samhain Fire Festival celebrates the Celtic origins of Halloween with fire performances, drumming, and costumed spirits.
Must-Do: Join a ghost tour through Edinburgh Vaults, one of the most haunted underground locations in the world.
7. Hong Kong – Halloween in Asia’s Theme Park Capital
Hong Kong has fully embraced Halloween with massive theme park events and parties. Ocean Park and Hong Kong Disneyland both host haunted attractions, live horror shows, and costumed performances throughout October.
Must-Do: Experience the Halloween Bash at Ocean Park, featuring terrifying mazes and scare zones.
8. Derry, Northern Ireland – The Ultimate Halloween Festival
Derry hosts Europe’s biggest Halloween festival, with extravagant parades, haunted trails, and fireworks over the River Foyle. This centuries-old Samhain tradition has evolved into a massive event, drawing thousands of visitors.
Must-Do: Join the Banks of the Foyle Carnival Parade and explore the haunted walls of Derry City.
9. Tokyo, Japan – Shibuya’s Legendary Street Party
Tokyo has become a Halloween hotspot thanks to its massive street parties, themed cafes, and extravagant cosplay culture. Shibuya’s Halloween street party gathers thousands of costumed revelers, making it one of the largest unofficial Halloween events in the world.
Must-Do: Visit Tokyo Disneyland’s Halloween Celebration and take part in the Shibuya Halloween Street Party.
10. Los Angeles, California, USA – Ultimate Halloween Theme Park Experience
L.A. is home to some of the world’s most famous Halloween events, haunted houses, and horror-themed attractions. The Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights feature terrifying mazes based on horror movies, while West Hollywood’s Halloween Carnaval is one of the world’s largest street parties.
Must-Do: Get scared at Knott’s Scary Farm or the Queen Mary’s Dark Harbour
From haunted castles to horror-filled theme parks, Halloween 2025 promises to be bigger and scarier than ever. Whether you prefer quick thrills or extravagant parades, there’s a destination for every Halloween lover.
Where will you celebrate Halloween 2025?
