7 of the Best Halloween Parties and Celebrations Around the World

Although very much not “Mexican Halloween,” Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead)—which falls at the very beginning of November—is an important annual holiday throughout Latin America. Traditionally, families come together to honor those who have passed away, but make no mistake: this is no solemn affair.

In Mexico City, Day of the Dead festivities span an enormous parade—which includes thousands of costumed participants; dancing Catrinas, or ceremonial skeletons; and floats—to the installation of ofrendas (celebratory altars) in the city’s Zócalo, or Central Square. As a bonus, venture south to the Xochimilco district, where you can embark on a special nighttime gondola ride along the area’s UNESCO-listed canals.

Related: An Introduction to Day of the Dead in Latin America

Salem has become a byword for all things spine-chilling, thanks to its infamous 17th-century Witch Trials. Today, visitors flock to Salem throughout the year to visit supposedly haunted landmarks such as the Witch House and the Burying Point Cemetery; however, Halloween—to no one’s surprise—is the most popular time to explore.

That’s thanks to Salem Haunted Happenings, billed as the largest celebration of Halloween in the world. A local tradition for some 40 years, the month-long festival attracts more than half a million visitors each year with its wide-ranging events. Highlights include everything from a Grand Parade and costume balls to ghost tours, the Haunted Biz Baz Street Fair, film nights, and more.

A beloved New York City tradition for almost half a century, New York’s Halloween Parade brings a carnival of kookiness and spookiness to Downtown, with New Yorkers of all stripes informally competing to wear the best, boldest, and cleverest costumes.

Led by a marching band, the parade is open to all, though you can also snag a spot on the parade route sidelines to watch the costumed revelers strut along 6th Avenue. Once the event starts winding down around 8:30pm, continue to the official after-party at Webster Hall—or Webster Hell, for one night only—or book a ghost walking tour to amp up the frights.

For die-hard Halloween lovers, no other experience compares to spending All Hallows’ Eve at the legendary Bran Castle. Dating back to 1377, the fortress—located high among the mist-shrouded forests of Transylvania—is best known as Dracula’s Castle, and has been (erroneously) claimed as the setting for Bram Stoker’s world-famous horror story.

The Bran Castle Halloween Party serves up atmosphere galore, not to mention DJ-helmed dancing, costume contests, and all kinds of fang-tastic festivities. Just be careful of dark corners—you never know what kind of vampiric encounters lie in wait.

Related: Know Before You Go: Celebrating Halloween at Dracula's Castle

New Orleans’ Endless Night Vampire Ball is “a Venetian masquerade ball meets a vampire court with the energy of a rock concert and the elegance of a 19th-century burlesque cabaret.” Got it? Good. This beloved Nola event, held since 1998, taps into the city’s haunted reputation, penchant for voodoo and the occult, and longstanding affinity for vampires—paging Anne Rice!—and turns it all into a decadent and debauched masked ball.

Expect burlesque performances, live music, dancing, and a best-dressed contest. Just don’t forget to come wearing “black suits and cocktail dresses, formal vampire, baroque, Victorian, steampunk, pagan, and over-the-top New Orleans Venetian Carnival”—or to try the signature Bloodbath cocktail.

Europe’s biggest Halloween festival, Derry Halloween, held within the walled Northern Irish city, melds Halloween festivities with Samhain ritual. A series of themed installations and activities across the city reflect different pagan themes each year, while a Haunted Harvest Market is worth browsing.

But the festival’s unabashed highlight is the Street Carnival Parade, a free-to-attend event which draws thousands of musicians, dancers, circus performers, and costumed spectators. The festivities culminate in a glittering fireworks show above the River Foyle.

If you thought larger-than-life festive light displays were strictly reserved for December, Ottawa’s Pumpkinferno will soon correct your misapprehension. Held at Upper Canada Village and consisting of over half a mile (1 kilometer) of 7,000 hand-carved pumpkins which are lit up as night descends, the Halloween spooktacular is unparalleled in its scope.

Past installations have included everything from multilayer Jack O’Lantern archways to pumpkin trees—and even dragons, tigers, and trains made entirely of illuminated carvings. We have a feeling Jack Skellington would approve.