1. The Hungry Ghost Festival, China
Although it usually falls in the seventh lunar month rather than October, the Hungry Ghost Festival speaks to the same spectral theme. Families burn paper money and offer food to appease wandering spirits, while theatres and street performances may leave front rows empty for unseen guests. The idea is simple, feed the ghosts so they do not cause mischief.
Curious to learn more about the beliefs behind it? Try this overview of ghost month traditions from Encyclopaedia Britannica.
2. Día de los Muertos, Mexico
Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is vibrant and full of colour. Families build ofrendas, ornate home altars covered in marigolds, sugar skulls and photographs. The mood is joyful, welcoming loved ones back for a brief reunion with favourite foods and music rather than focusing on fright.
For a beautifully photographed explainer, see National Geographic.
3. Pangangaluluwa, The Philippines
This tradition resembles carolling, but for souls. Children and adults go door to door singing for the departed and receiving treats or alms. Although it has waned in some regions, many communities have revived it as a lively, respectful way to remember ancestors and keep local culture alive.
4. Samhain, Ireland and Scotland
Modern Halloween owes a great deal to Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival marking the end of the harvest season. Bonfires blazed, people disguised themselves to confuse troublesome spirits, and folk games attempted to divine the future. Echoes of these practices survive in costumes, lanterns and party games today.
5. Ognissanti and Tutti i Morti, Italy
Across Italy, families visit cemeteries around All Saints and All Souls Days. Some regions leave food or set an empty place at the table for returning loved ones, while children may wake to small gifts thought to be left by the spirits of their ancestors. It is a tender blend of reverence and celebration.
6. Kawasaki Halloween Parade, Japan
One of Japan’s biggest Halloween events turns Kawasaki into a vast catwalk of creativity. Thousands of participants take part in a highly organised parade with strict rules for costumes and conduct. The result is dazzling, with meticulous outfits that reflect Japan’s love of cosplay and character design.
7. Awuru Odo Festival, Nigeria
Every two years, communities in parts of southeastern Nigeria welcome ancestral spirits back for an extended visit. Masked processions, drumming and feasting accompany the Odo’s return and eventual departure. The festival is powerful, communal and richly symbolic, centred on honouring lineage and the continuity of life.
8. Tengu and Yokai Festivals, Japan
Japanese folklore brims with mischievous and mysterious beings. Festivals devoted to yokai and the long-nosed tengu feature elaborate masks, lanterns and processions. While not strictly Halloween, these autumnal celebrations share the playful thrill of meeting the uncanny in the street.
9. Fête des Morts, Haiti
Haiti’s Vodou tradition honours the Gede spirits and Baron Samedi with music, rum offerings and cemetery vigils. The atmosphere mixes solemn remembrance with bold humour, purple and black attire, and energetic dancing. It is a vivid reminder that remembrance can be full of life.
For historical and cultural context, the Britannica entry on Vodou is a solid starting point.
10. Hop-tu-Naa, Isle of Man
Older than Halloween itself, Hop-tu-Naa is a Manx celebration that keeps Celtic customs thriving. Children carve turnips instead of pumpkins, sing traditional songs and often go house to house for sweets. The result feels both familiar and delightfully different for visitors used to orange lanterns.
From solemn offerings to full-blown parades, the season shows how people everywhere find creative ways to connect with memory, ancestry and the mysteries of the night. These traditions may look unusual to outsiders, yet they reveal shared human themes, remembering the dead, gathering as a community and transforming fear into festivity.
What To Read Next
If you enjoyed this tour of spooky customs, take a look at more curious lists across our site, including Ten Weird Traditions From Around the World and Ten Halloween Costumes For Pets. For authoritative background on specific celebrations, browse National Geographic and Encyclopaedia Britannica.