🗺️ Halloween 2026: six countries with parades, castles and Day of the Dead

Halloween has long stopped being just a home holiday. More and more people celebrate it while traveling: in a castle, at a parade, or among glowing pumpkins in a city square.

The tradition goes back to the Celtic Samhain. The ancient Irish and Scots marked the end of autumn, lit bonfires, and believed that on this night the boundary between worlds was open. Later the holiday crossed the ocean with emigrants and grew there into parades and shows.

Below we've gathered 6 countries where Halloween is celebrated on a grand scale: from Derry and Edinburgh to Salem and Oaxaca. We checked the festival dates on official websites in September 2026 and provide links to them.

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Where to go for Halloween in 2026

💡 In short:

Ireland and Scotland set the tone: festive programs in Derry and on Calton Hill run in late October.
The US and Mexico add scale: parades, cemeteries, and the Day of the Dead from October 31 to November 2.
Dates for Derry Halloween: 09/2026, verified on the official Derry Halloween website.

The holiday stretches over a week. In the US and Ireland everything kicks off in the last days of October, while in Mexico it flows into early November. Below you'll find each destination separately, with dates, admission, and an honest catch.

Country	Main event	Dates	Who it's for
Ireland	Derry Halloween	October 28-31, 2026	families, Dracula fans
Scotland	Samhuinn Fire Festival	October 31, 2026	lovers of fire and legends
Romania	Bran Castle	late October	gothic fans
France	Catacombs and Père Lachaise	all October	lovers of dark history
USA	Village Halloween Parade	October 31, 2026	those who want everything at once
Mexico	Day of the Dead	October 31 to November 2	for local color

1. Ireland

Ireland is considered the birthplace of Halloween, so the holiday feels especially fitting here. Every autumn Dublin hosts a festival named after Bram Stoker, the author of "Dracula": the city's shop windows are decorated, and in the evenings there are readings and costumed walks.

The main event awaits you a bit further north, in Northern Ireland. Derry Halloween runs for four days, from October 28 to 31, 2026, and is considered the largest Halloween celebration in Europe (according to Visit Derry, 09/2026). Parades, fire shows, and an illuminated route through the old walls take over the city. In 2026 the festival marks its 40th anniversary.

Book a hotel in the center so you don't depend on transport in the evening. Hotels in Derry on Trip.com should be booked in advance.

The catch: it often rains here in late October, so bring a waterproof jacket.

2. Scotland

Cockburn Street in Edinburgh with pedestrians

The Scots are also descendants of the Celts, so Samhain is remembered and celebrated seriously here. In late October, Scotland's capital Edinburgh turns into the set of a gothic novel: fog, old cemeteries, and grim facades work better than any decorations.

The main event takes place on Calton Hill: the Samhuinn Fire Festival. In 2026 it will be held on October 31: hundreds of performers with fire, drums, and acrobatics welcome the arrival of winter (dates checked 09/2026 on the official Beltane Fire Society website). Entry is ticketed, and the hill fills up quickly that evening.

During the day, go down into the vaults under the South Bridge. They used to store goods there, and now it's one of the city's most famous "scary" routes. Potter fans will enjoy The Potter Trail walking tour of places connected with the books. Edinburgh tours on GetYourGuide cover both options.

Want to sleep in a castle? Then book the Dalhousie Castle hotel, which has ghost legends attached to it.

The catch: on October 31, central Edinburgh is packed, and Calton Hill fills up quickly by the evening of the festival.

3. Romania

Transylvania sells the Dracula legend better than anyone. Bran Castle near Brasov is called "Dracula's castle," although Vlad the Impaler, the count's prototype, was more of a prisoner here than a master. The confusion was created by Bram Stoker: he wrote the novel from stories and never actually visited Transylvania.

In October, the castle is decorated thematically: cobwebs, skeletons, and pumpkins. Plus, the mountains around Brasov are full of estates, chalets, and houses available for rent. That way you can live right among the Carpathian landscapes and take trips to the surrounding castles.

Hotels in Brasov on Trip.com will help you choose a base for these days.

Who it's for: for those who want a gothic atmosphere without big crowds.
Cost: entry to Bran Castle is paid; check the exact price and hours on the castle's official website.

4. France

Grave sculpture at Père Lachaise Cemetery

Paris itself is a ready-made collection of gothic stories: the hunchback of Notre-Dame, the Phantom of the Opera, the grim plots of the Bois de Boulogne. For Halloween, the city adds themed exhibitions, concerts, and special cafe menus to this.

Cemeteries here are part of the cultural program. Pere Lachaise is called an open-air museum of funerary sculpture: thousands of graves and celebrity tombs that people come to see from all over the world. Grab a map at the entrance, otherwise you'll wander in circles between the alleys.

Next, head to the Catacombs of Paris, where the remains of millions of Parisians rest. Tickets are sold by time slot, and the halls are narrow and cool (according to the official Catacombes de Paris website, 09/2026). Wear a jacket and comfortable shoes, and get Catacombs of Paris tickets on Tiqets in advance.

The catch: the Catacombs admit visitors by time slot; if you're late for your session, your entry is lost.

5. USA

House porch with purple lighting and figures for Halloween

In the USA, Halloween is a full-scale celebration lasting all October. Glowing pumpkins and skeletons appear everywhere, and several cities stand out for their special mystique.

Salem

In Salem, Massachusetts, people were tried and executed on charges of witchcraft. Today the city hosts a full month of Haunted Happenings festivities, from October 1 through 31, 2026 (according to Haunted Happenings, 09/2026). You'll see trial reenactments, parades, markets, and themed museums. Bring a costume: in the crowd, it's the norm.

New Orleans

New Orleans can be eerie too, but in its own way. The "ghost swamps," old cemeteries, and the French Quarter offer dozens of mystical tours. You'll hear about the otherworldly and be led through places with a dark reputation.

New York

In New York, the 53rd annual Village Halloween Parade will take place on October 31, 2026 (according to halloween-nyc.com, 09/2026). The parade runs through Greenwich Village and starts in the evening. During the day, it's worth heading up to Sleepy Hollow, the town from Washington Irving's "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow." New York tours on GetYourGuide also include nighttime walks.

Las Vegas

In Las Vegas, Halloween is an excuse for parties and costume contests. You'll see more than one Marilyn Monroe and more than one Elvis: impersonators are part of the show here too, and the prizes can be substantial.

St. Helens

The small town of St. Helens, Oregon, gets fully decorated for Halloween every year. The movie Halloweentown and some scenes from "Twilight" were filmed here. During the holiday season, you'll find fairs, ghost games, and musical shows.

The stanley hotel and Jamaica

The Stanley Hotel in Colorado is famous because Stephen King once stayed there. The writer came up with the idea for "The Shining" here. The hotel has ghost stories attached to it, and the lobbies and rooms are decorated in a dark style. Jamaica also gets lively around Halloween: there, they tell stories about a cruel plantation owner and about voodoo, and they lead "ghost hunts" through the dungeons.

Panorama of Estes Park with lake and snow-capped mountains

The catch: these cities are far apart, and you won't be able to visit them all in one trip.

6. Mexico

Catrina figure during the Day of the Dead

In Mexico, Halloween blends with the Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos). The celebration runs from October 31 through November 2 and is on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list (per UNESCO, 09/2026). It's not a carnival, it's a family celebration.

One of the best places for it is the city of Oaxaca in the south of the country. Streets are decorated with skulls and orange marigolds, and families come to cemeteries with music and food. You'll see Catrinas, altars with photographs, and nighttime processions. We recommend booking Day of the Dead tours in Oaxaca on GetYourGuide in advance.

Who it's for: those who want to see a living tradition, not a show.
The catch: in Oaxaca, there are almost no rooms left for those dates.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When exactly is Halloween celebrated in 2026?

The night itself falls on October 31. But festivals start earlier: Derry Halloween runs from October 28 to 31, and in Salem the celebration lasts the whole month. In Mexico, the Day of the Dead continues into early November and ends on November 2 (per UNESCO, 09/2026).

Which country celebrates Halloween the most?

For scale, pick the US: the New York parade, a month of events in Salem, and parties in Las Vegas. For the holiday's roots, go to Ireland and Scotland. Mexico offers the most unusual experience because it combines Halloween with the Day of the Dead.

Do I need to book tickets and hotels in advance?

Yes. Demand spikes sharply for Halloween, especially in Derry, Edinburgh, Salem, and New York. Samhuinn requires tickets, and Catacombs of Paris tickets are sold by time slot. Accommodation gets booked up long before the end of October. Plan your trip several months ahead.

What should I bring to the celebration?

A waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes: Ireland and Scotland are often rainy in late October, and the Catacombs are chilly. In Salem and New York, a costume comes in handy if you want to blend into the crowd. In Mexico, bring cash for purchases at the markets.

Is Halloween a good trip for kids?

Yes, if you choose family-friendly events. In Derry, part of the program is designed for children, St. Helens has fairs and games, and Salem has daytime activities. Mexico's Day of the Dead is also a family celebration, but the nighttime cemetery processions are not recommended for young children.

In short: what's worth booking

If you want the holiday's roots, go with Derry and Edinburgh. If you want scale, choose New York and Salem. For an unusual experience, head to Oaxaca; for gothic vibes, Transylvania.

Build your trip around the one night, but don't be afraid to arrive 3-5 days early. Book accommodation first, then tickets for specific events: compare hotel prices on Trip.com.

Where to go for Halloween: 6 countries with parades and festivals