Top 5 places to spend a spooky Halloween
Thrills, chills and things that go bump in the night – if you thought Halloween was just for the kids, then think again. Get creative with your makeup and costume, because this is one time of the year that everyone dresses to impress.
From paranormal street parades to lavish balls in Gothic castles, Tinggly shows you where the most spook-tacular Halloween events take place around the world.
New Orleans
Perhaps the ultimate city to spend Halloween, the Big Easy is awash with mystery, legend and “voodoo” magic. You’re guaranteed a ghoulishly good time down by the bayou, with all manner of colourful parades, haunted houses and street parties to discover. The Voodoo Festival is a multi-day event with big-name acts performing to huge crowds, while there’s also several popular costume balls themed around vampires and witches. Take a graveyard tour, or rock the night away in one of New Orleans’ many lively bars and clubs. There’s even a few genuinely haunted hotels in the city, so if you’ve ever wanted to see a ghost, book a stay and listen out for the rattle of chains in the corridor!
Prague
The winding medieval streets of Prague’s Old Town, the bars and clubs that give the city its reputation as a party city, and excursions such as the scary Torture Museum means that this is a great choice to spend Halloween. It’s not a traditional celebration here as it is in some other cities, but Prague has taken to it with gusto. Around the end of October you’re sure to find people wandering around in bloodsoaked fancy dress, carrying Jack-o-lanterns, so simply join in the fun.
Transylvania
The Transylvania region of Romania is where the legend of Dracula was born, so if you’re looking for Halloween atmosphere, you couldn’t ask for more. Bram Stoker got the inspiration for his vampire creation from the bloodthirsty real-life exploits of Vlad the Impaler. Although Vlad’s castle is now in ruins, you can still party at Corvin Castle, a Gothic masterpiece said by some to be one of the most haunted places in the world.
Oaxaca
In Mexico, they do Halloween a little differently. Here it coincides with the Día de los Muertos, a three-day festival when it is believed that spirits come back from the afterlife to spend some quality time with those they’ve left behind. Oaxaca, close to the notorious party city of Acapulco, is one of the best places to come at this time of year. In the day time, people visit the graves of relatives to observe traditional rituals, pray and leave offerings. In the evenings though, it can be a wild all-day and all-night orgy of drinking, dancing and music, with an amazing carnival atmosphere and some seriously elaborate costumes.
London
One of the best European cities for going out at night is London – yes, it can be expensive, but the variety of entertainment on offer is pretty much unparalleled. Halloween in the UK capital is always lively, with many bars and clubs throwing themed parties, and groups of trick-or-treaters wandering the streets. Visit the famous London Dungeon, one of London’s top attractions, to hear macabre stories of Sweeney Todd the demon barber, Guy Fawkes, and plague doctors from the 17th century. You can also take a guided walking tour around the Whitechapel District for some really gruesome tales about the area’s most (in)famous character, Jack the Ripper.
Hong Kong
Halloween in Hong Kong has become much more popular over the last few years, so if you’re visiting the city it’s not difficult to find spook-themed events and parties going on. Some of the biggest Halloween happenings take place at Hong Kong Disneyland, where instead of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, the entertainers get dressed up as zombies and werewolves, and Ocean Park. Both draw huge crowds and although they’re family-friendly, you often get a few genuine scares!