6 Best Halloween Festivals Around the World

Originating in Scotland and Ireland and popularly celebrated in the USA, Halloween has quickly become a worldwide sensation in recent years. Be it exciting haunted houses or costume parties, Halloween celebrations have evolved beyond just trick-or-treating, with destinations around the world transforming into festive, spooky wonderlands. Whether you're looking for ghostly parades, haunted houses, or cultural twists on Halloween, here are Thomas Cook India and SOTC Travel’s top Halloween festivals around the world to visit for a spine-tingling experience.

Salem, Massachusetts, USA – A Witch's Paradise
Salem, known for its infamous 1692 witch trials, is a Halloween hotspot, offering a month-long celebration of all things spooky with its Haunted Happenings festival. The entire town transforms into a Halloween wonderland, featuring ghost tours, séances, haunted houses, and costume parades. What sets Salem apart is its historical connection to witchcraft, blending real history with eerie fun. Visitors can explore haunted graveyards, watch reenactments of the witch trials, and attend the annual Witches’ Ball. If you’re a history buff who loves a good scare, Salem is the perfect place to embrace the spooky season.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam – Halloween on the Streets
Vietnam may not be the first country that comes to mind for Halloween, but the celebrations in Ho Chi Minh City are quickly gaining popularity. Halloween in Vietnam is a vibrant street festival, with the city’s bustling streets, particularly around Bui Vien Street, transforming into a Halloween spectacle. You’ll find locals and tourists alike decked out in costumes, attending street parties and pop-up events at bars, clubs, and restaurants. The unique element of Vietnam’s Halloween is its blend of Western influences and local culture. Expect to see everything from traditional ghouls and ghosts to elaborately dressed characters from Vietnamese folklore. The street party atmosphere makes it a lively and engaging experience for travelers looking to join in on the Halloween fun.

Tokyo, Japan – A Halloween Parade Like No Other
The Kawasaki Halloween Parade in Tokyo is Japan’s biggest and most extravagant Halloween celebration. Held in late October, it features thousands of participants in elaborate costumes, ranging from traditional monsters to anime-inspired creations. The city becomes a colorful spectacle, blending spooky with quirky in true Japanese fashion. What sets Tokyo’s Halloween apart is the creativity and craftsmanship that go into the costumes. This festival is more than just spooky fun—it’s a showcase of artistic expression. Along with the parade, Tokyo hosts countless Halloween-themed events, including costume contests, haunted houses, and parties throughout the city. It’s a visual treat for both participants and spectators.

Disneyland Paris, France – A Magical Halloween
At Disneyland Paris, Halloween takes on a magical twist, making it an ideal destination for families and Disney fans alike. The park is adorned with festive decorations, spooky parades, and Disney characters in their Halloween costumes. During the Disneyland Paris Halloween Festival, visitors can experience themed attractions like Phantom Manor and enjoy meet-and-greets with classic Disney villains such as Maleficent and Captain Hook. Disneyland Paris brings a whimsical charm to Halloween, balancing eerie thrills with family-friendly fun. Special Halloween treats and limited-edition merchandise add to the experience, making it a must-visit for those looking for a magical spin on the spooky season.

Universal Studios Singapore – Halloween Horror Nights
For those seeking a truly terrifying experience, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Singapore is one of Asia’s most intense Halloween events. Each year, the park transforms into a horror-filled destination, complete with haunted houses, scare zones, and live horror performances. The event is not for the faint-hearted, with scare actors dressed as zombies, ghosts, and other creepy characters ready to frighten visitors around every corner. The highlight of Halloween Horror Nights is the Zombie Apocalypse, a heart-pounding interactive experience that immerses guests in a survival scenario. If you’re a thrill-seeker looking for adrenaline-fueled scares, this is the Halloween event for you.

Seoul Lantern Festival, South Korea – A Spooky Twist on Tradition
Seoul’s famous Lantern Festival takes on a spooky transformation during Halloween, turning the city's already stunning festival into a hauntingly beautiful event. Held along the Cheonggyecheon Stream, the festival showcases intricately designed lanterns that illuminate the night, many of which take on eerie, Halloween-themed forms during late October. In recent years, the city has added special Halloween events, including haunted houses, street performances, and costume parades. What makes Halloween in Seoul unique is its combination of traditional lantern displays with ghostly imagery, blending Korean cultural elements with global Halloween vibes. It’s a visually stunning way to celebrate the season while experiencing one of South Korea’s most popular festivals.

From the haunted history of Salem to the lively streets of Ho Chi Minh City, Halloween is celebrated in diverse ways across the globe. Whether you're into spooky traditions, cultural twists, or heart-racing thrills, these festivals offer something for everyone looking to embrace the Halloween spirit!