Although we are all familiar with classic American traditions of Halloween, many countries around the world have a different meaning for the holiday. Though many children across the globe will go trick-or-treating and dress up in costumes that isn't the case everywhere.
1. Ireland
Ireland is considered to be where Halloween first began. Similar to the U.S., children go trick-or-treating and older people go to parties. One famous Irish Halloween game is called snap apple; an apple is tied to a string and hung from a tree, and players try to bite the hanging apple. Fruitcake is also baked.
2. Spanish-speaking countries
Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a three-day long festival that starts on Halloween night and lasts until Nov. 2. It is a time to remember the friends and family who have died, celebrating with food, flowers, candles and a water basin for when the spirits return during the celebration. People dress in skeleton costumes and face paint to dance in the streets during parades. Although American traditions for Halloween are slowly gaining in popularity, remembrance of lost ones is the primary reason to celebrate.
3. Italy
Although Halloween in Italy is becoming increasingly popular, it hasn’t taken off as much as it has in other countries because Italy has a two-week long festival called Carnevale before Lent, where people dress up in costumes and receive candy. Around Halloween time, most Italians simply watch American Halloween movies and a growing number of stores are putting up decorations.
4. Canada
Halloween in Canada is almost exactly the same as American traditions, including partying, dressing up in costumes, carving pumpkins, trick-or-treating and decorating homes. Corn stalks as decorations are more prevalent in Canada, though.
5. England
Kids in England carve "punkies" out of beetroot, which they carry around in the streets. Turnip lanterns are made in farm areas and objects are tossed into bonfires to protect houses from passing spirits. Most frequently, children just go trick-or-treating in costumes, but adults typically do not celebrate at all and sometimes do not even have candy for the trick-or-treaters.
6. China
Halloween in China is called Teng Chieh. People place food and water in front of pictures of family who have died and lanterns are lit to illuminate the paths of the spirits. Buddhists make large paper boats to burn late at night to remember the dead and free the spirits.
7. France
Halloween in France only became popular in the last two decades. People tend to dress in costumes that are scarier than those in the U.S. Trick-or-treating occurs between stores, not houses. There is one gigantic pumpkin patch near Paris because of the demand for jack-o’-lantern making.
8. Japan
Halloween in Japan is known as the Obon Festival and focuses on the spirits of ancestors. Lanterns and candles are lit to light the way and protect the living from the spirits. Festivals, food and dances occur at night. Some girls wear a kimono called a yukata.
9. Australia
Halloween only gained popularity in Australia during the last decade. American traditions such as trick-or-treating and costume parties are popular, but the main festivities exist primarily in “ghost tours” of so-called haunted property and watching Halloween movies that are screened in theaters.
10. South Korea
Halloween in South Korea is similar to other Asian countries. The festival in August is called Chusok and is a time when people thank their ancestors by visiting their tombs and offering food.
11. Sweden
The Swedish version of Halloween is called Alla Helgons Dag and is celebrated starting on Halloween and lasts one week. Students usually have the day off from school on the Friday before All Saint's Day. Also, children usually celebrate with making jack-o’-lanterns and trick-or-treating.
