Posted on by Anastasia R.

Halloween is celebrated around the world on October the 31st each year, but the sheer variety of local and regional variation that exists gives so much more color to this festival. Depending on where you go, Halloween can take on an either spooky or fun tone. Here are 5 of the coolest Halloween celebrations from around the globe that are guaranteed to make you view Halloween in a new light.

Village Halloween Parade

The Village Halloween Parade is New York City’s pride and joy. On this day, lower Manhattan closes down completely as costumed partygoers parade alongside huge figures made of papier-mâché. This parade has a long history, going all the way back to 1974. Those who love costumes and parade will love the eccentricity of the Big Apple’s partiers as they wear their best each year and try to look as spooky as they can possibly be.

West Hollywood Carnaval

Unlike the Village Halloween Parade, West Hollywood Carnaval is a more festive take on Halloween. The Carnaval is more of a huge street festival than a procession, with numerous food vendors and performers. Each year, a celebrity is selected to be the Queen of the Carnaval, amongst a whole host of other stars who attend the party. The West Hollywood Carnaval is also known to be the biggest Halloween party in the whole wide world.

Festival of the Dead

Held in Salem, Massachusetts, the Festival of the Dead has its own special creepiness. Salem, best known as the site of the infamous Salem Witch Hunt, has more than enough of its own unique spookiness to draw from, ensuring that the Festival of the Dead is in a league of its own when it comes to scary Halloween party. The highlight of the event is the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, held at the Hawthorne Hotel. Partygoers and revelers congregate to “summon the spirits” in a spectacular fashion, with Voodoo ceremonies, Witch Doctors and other unique performances.

The London Dungeon

Thrill seekers and horror movie aficionados alike will love the London Dungeon Halloween experience. Held in an authentically haunted house, the London Dungeon Halloween Party reinterprets real historical hauntings, and recreates them as faithfully as possible to give guests the scare of their lifetime. Unlike other parties, the London Dungeon actually employs a host of skilled, train performers who specialize in scares and storytelling. Head to this party if realistic frights are your thing!

Knott’s Scary Farm

Knott’s Scary Farm began in 1973, originally as a three-day long event every year around Halloween, but has since grown to become a month-long celebration of all things spooky and scary. Knott’s Berry Farm transforms itself into a paradise of ghouls, zombies and evil queens, a far cry from the cheery theme park that it usually is. Halloween and creep-themed rides and mazes abound in the park, with names such as Trick or Treat and Black Magic. Both the young and old will enjoy the scares and thrills that Knott’s Scary Farm provides each year.

How will you celebrate Halloween this year? Do share with us!

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