Halloween is pretty much right around the corner. We don’t really know what it will look like in the US this year, but the holiday probably brings up memories of trick-or-treating, candy-sorting, and dressing up as whatever our little hearts desired. More recently, we probably think of Halloween as a fun weekend where we get to be with our friends and have some fun in whatever costume we’ve decided to throw together. However, it turns out there are a LOT of other ways to celebrate. In the Halloween spirit, I looked into some traditions from around the world that might take you by surprise.
- Ghost Scavenger Hunts in Barcelona
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Did you know that Barcelona is said to be a pretty haunted city? According to legend, Barcelona’s past is full of restless ghosts and paranormal events. Among the stories, the tale of Augustin Atzerias tells of a man who sold his soul to the Devil in exchange for winning the lottery. To honor the Devil for his help, he plastered the walls of his house with demonic images. This house still exists, and can be found on Josep Torres Street. Because of the paranormal history of the city, every Halloween ghost scavenger hunts are extremely popular events, offering travelers a chance to learn about the city’s history, while “hunting” for the most famous spirits from these legends.
- Day of Dracula in Romania
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Although May 26th is pretty far away from October 31, the Day of Dracula in Romania seemed like a spooky-enough tradition to make the list. If you are familiar with Brad Stoker’s famous novel Dracula, you might know that it is loosely based upon the real-life Prince Vlad of Romania, who cruelly tortured many of those whom he captured in conflict. In Romania, tourists are given the chance to tour Bran Castle, a structure heavily associated with Prince Vlad, and often assumed to be Dracula’s lair in Stoker’s work. You can also celebrate the Day of Dracula by watching the movies, reading the books, or even touring the places that Dracula himself visited in the novel!
- Ognissanti in Italy
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Ognissanti, or “All Saints Day,” is a Catholic holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd in Italy. Traditionally, Catholics use this Holiday to celebrate the many saints of the Catholic church. However, it has become a day for honoring one’s dead relatives, and many Italians take the day to stay home and be with family. It is actually a public holiday–schools are closed, and huge feasts are traditionally prepared that include pork rib, crumbly biscuits, and chocolate!
- Hiding Knives in Germany
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From October 30th to November 8th every year, Germans hide all of the knives in their homes. Why? So that the wandering spirits of Halloween can’t be harmed by any sharp objects. For Germans, St. Martin’s day, a Halloween-like holiday, takes place on November 11th, so they really get almost two weeks of Halloween season! I won’t even get into the fantastic pumpkin festivals that they hold during this time.
- Just For Fun: Ireland’s Mashed Potato Matchmaking
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Ireland has a pretty interesting history when it comes to Halloween. In Ireland’s past, Halloween rituals had little to do with ghosts and spirits, and more to do with superstition and manifesting for the present and future. Along with other interesting charms, one included dropping a ring into one’s mashed potatoes, in the hopes that their true love might come to dinner to be served that night and find it.
I hope this list brought you somewhat into the Halloween spirit or gave you at least one tradition you didn’t know– I know I had a ton of fun putting this one together. Perhaps Halloween this year might bring us something new to add!