The Daily Telegraph - Saturday - Travel
Tune into the spirits of Hallowe’en
The spook-tacular event has spread far beyond its Western roots, writes Rachel Cranshaw
Hallowe’en in America is, for millennials at least, the stuff of legend; from the Casper of childhood, starring a young Christina Ricci, to the Mean Girls of teendom (“I’m a mouse, duh”). Last year, I found myself in Los Angeles for the scary season, and though this sprawling metropolis may not be immediately synonymous with the picket fences and clapboard houses in those films, look closer and you’ll soon find what you’re after.
West Hollywood has a distinctly neighbourhood feel, with wide pavements; empty as no one walks in LA, and perfect for a morning stroll to check out the decorated houses. Never mind the pumpkins, there are ghosts suspended from trees and front gardens turned into graveyards. My hotel, Petit Ermitage, transformed its entire rooftop to host an epic party, at which mermaids splashed in the pool and costumes were out of this world.
When Oct 31 rolls around, a huge parade takes place on LA’s Santa Monica Boulevard, and residential streets are full of trick or treaters, offering up Hallowe’en in full-blown style. Here are eight more places to get that frightful feel – at any age.
MEXICO
The much-appropriated and Unescorecognised Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is not a Mexican version of Hallowe’en, although the two events are related. Festivities kick off on Oct 31 as locals pay tribute to deceased family members with a number of rituals in glorious technicolour, culminating in the day itself on Nov 2. Events spill into the streets, with costumes referencing the distinctive calavera Catrina (“elegant skull”). Patzcuaro and Oaxaca are particularly notable locations.
Nov 2; free (visitmexico.com). G Adventures offers a seven-day Mexico’s Day of the Dead in Oaxaca from £1,079 (Oct 28, 2020; gadventures.co.uk).
DERRY-LONDONDERRY, NORTHERN IRELAND
Naysayers of doing Hallowe’en the American way can return to where it all began – the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. And nowhere in either Northern Ireland or the Republic is the 2,000-year-old festival more popular than in Derry-Londonderry, pronounced the best Hallowe’en destination in the world by USA Today in 2015. The carnival here, which concludes with an enchanting fireworks display, is attended by tens of thousands of local and international visitors. Celebrations start with Awakening the Walls, a performance and installation art trail.
Oct 28-31; main events free (derryhalloween.com); stay at Bishop’s Gate Hotel (doubles from £99; telegraph.co.uk/ttbishopsgatehotel).
WALT DISNEY WORLD, FLORIDA
Somewhere that’s sure to offer fun for all the family is Disney HQ in Orlando. This year, Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Hallowe’en Party will feature a fireworks and laser spectacular, and a Hocus Pocus villain parade, with junior fun taking place in Storybook Circus. Characters across the park will also be dressed up, and children are encouraged to do the same and go trick or treating (note there are no masks allowed to keep things PG).
Until Nov 1. Seven nights at Walt Disney World Resort with Walt Disney Travel Company costs from £1,362 per person including return flights, accommodation at Disney’s Art of Animation Resort and Ultimate 7-Day Tickets (disney packages.co.uk; 0800 169 0730).
WHITBY, YORKSHIRE
Dracula fans not keen on travelling to Transylvania should head to Whitby instead. This northern English town provided both inspiration and partial setting for Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel. Over half term, children can enjoy activities including creepy crafts at Whitby Abbey, while over Hallowe’en weekend the story of Dracula will be brought to life as part of an Illuminated Abbey event. Part two of the annual Goth Weekend takes place the weekend before (Oct 25-27).
Dates in October (visitwhitby. com); stay at La Rosa Hotel (doubles from £90, including breakfast; telegraph.co.uk/tt-larosa).
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS
Life for women in the 1600s was a trial – quite literally for those living in Salem, Massachusetts and suspected of witchcraft. Today they have their own museum, and are honoured with events across the city throughout October, from history talks to seances, and plenty of haunted houses. There are also black cat tours; perhaps one for fans of Sabrina the Teenage Witch and her feline companion named after the city. Plan well in advance as crowds are large.
Dates through October (hauntedhappenings.org); stay at The Hotel Salem (doubles from £115; the hotelsalem.com). Flights from London to Boston with Norwegian from £270 return (norwegian.com).
HONG KONG
Hong Kong gets well and truly into the Hallowe’en spirit. Disneyland puts on a huge bash, as does the Ocean Park theme park. The latter is a more adult affair and includes an appearance from “hungry ghosts”, part of the Yu Lan festival, in which gifts are given to spirits to keep them at bay. Grown-ups can also find plenty of parties in the nightlife areas.
Ocean Park Hallowe’en Fest on selected dates until Oct 31; tickets from £78 (oceanpark.com.hk). Stay at the Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel (from £127; marriott. co.uk). Flights from London to Hong Kong with Virgin Atlantic from £418 return (virginatlantic.com).
EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND
Hallowe’en is taken seriously in Scotland, and the historic capital is a great place for a ghost walk at any time of year. The Samhuinn Fire Festival on the night itself features music and street theatre performances. Harry Potter fans, meanwhile, can indulge in many sites linked to JK Rowling’s books, which were written in the city.
Dates and prices vary (visitscotland.com); stay at The Witchery by the Castle (rooms from £365; telegraph.co.uk/tt-witchery).
TOYKO, JAPAN
Japan’s Obon festival has similarities to Mexico’s Day of the Dead, with tributes paid to ancestors in the form of food brought to altars and temples and candlelit lanterns floated on rivers and lakes. It takes place in August, but since 2000, when Tokyo Disneyland hosted its first Hallowe’en event, October gets in on the action too, with dressing up and parties in the capital, as well as Osaka and Kanagawa.
Dates and prices vary ( japan. travel). British Airways flies from London to Tokyo from £558 return (ba.com/tokyo; 0844 493 0787). Stay at the Moxy Tokyo Kinshicho (doubles from £98; telegraph.co.uk/ tt-moxytokyokinshicho).