Author: Cosmina Bradea

It’s Halloween season! Or shall we say “spooky season”? The American version of this holiday, filled with costumes, trick-or-treating, jack-o'-lanterns, and fun-sized candy bars, is now well-known throughout the world. But, there are other ways to celebrate as well! Here is a brief overview of some of the different Halloween traditions celebrated around the world.

Mexico: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

November 1st - 2nd 

The Mexican Day of the Dead is all about honoring life, joy, and color, despite its name. Its main goal is to show respect, affection and honor the souls of deceased family members. Among the festivities associated with the Day of the Dead are wearing eye-catching makeup and spectacular costumes, organizing parades, singing, and dancing. However, the tradition of making offerings to loved ones is what distinguishes this holiday as being particularly unique. It is said that gifts (also called “ofrendas”) will attract the spirits to be reunited with their families. They also create beautifully decorated altars, where they place these gifts.

Romania: Ziua morților (All souls’ day)

November 2nd 

Romanians get the opportunity to remember their relatives and loved ones who have passed on to the afterlife on All Souls' Day. It is celebrated by gathering at the grave of your loved one, lighting candles and giving food or pastries to other people, as a symbol of kindness and appreciation. Romanians say that on this day, the portal to the other realm opens and spirits come back to this world to visit their family. A Christian day full of prayers, offerings and spirituality.

Ireland & Scotland: Samhain (All Hallowtide)

October 31st - November 1st

Ireland has one of the most intriguing Halloween customs in the entire globe. Actually, Samhain, also known as "All Hallowtide," an Irish pagan holiday that celebrates the end of summer, is where Halloween got its start. Baking and eating Barmbrack, a rich cake stuffed with currants, raisins, and candied citrus, is a long-standing Samhain tradition. In accordance with popular belief, during Samhain, the barriers separating the material world from the spirit realm disappear, allowing spirits to roam freely between humans. This holiday is marked by bonfires, feasting and mumming. 

The Netherlands: Sint-Maarten

November 11th

The Dutch celebrate Sint-Maarten, a children's holiday that resembles the US Halloween in one way. Similar to trick-or-treaters, kids can be seen wandering the streets on the evening of November 11th. Like the American jack-o'-lantern, the children frequently hold lanterns that resemble sugar beets or turnips. The kids will sing to their neighbors and knock on doors as they wander the neighborhoods in the hopes of getting candy.

Portugal: Dia das Bruxas (Day of the Witches)

October 31st

In Portugal, Halloween is known as Dia das Bruxas, or Day of the Witches. The celebration has many of the same customary origins as Halloween. Dia das Bruxas tradition includes trick-or-treating, but kids request bread, fruits, or nuts instead of candy. On this day, relatives' graves are also visited by families. To pay tribute to their ancestors and decorate the graves with flowers and candles.

Join Hospitality Academy on an adventure abroad! (spooky or not)

How are you celebrating the spooky season? We wish you a fantastic time, whether you're indulging in sweets, remembering departed loved ones, or doing a little of both. Keep in mind that with Hospitality Academy you can study and work abroad, so you can get to know the traditions and customs of other countries, while getting accredited education and real-world experience in the industry. Interested? Send an email to admissions@pihospitalityacademy.com to find out more about our study programs!