9 Strange Halloween Traditions from Around the World

Mexico – Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Let’s kick things off with Mexico’s Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1st and 2nd. Unlike the typical spooky vibe of Halloween, this tradition is all about celebrating life and honoring the dead. Families build colorful altars called ofrendas in their homes or at cemeteries, where they leave offerings like food, sugar skulls, and marigold flowers for their departed loved ones. But don’t get it twisted—this is far from a somber occasion. People wear vibrant costumes, paint their faces like skulls, and throw parties to welcome back the spirits for a night of fun. It’s a beautiful mix of love, life, and death.

Germany – Hide the Knives!

In Germany, Halloween has only recently become popular, but the traditions surrounding All Saints’ Day (November 1st) are centuries old. One of the strangest customs? Hiding all the knives in the house! Germans believe that during Allerheiligen (All Saints’ Day), the spirits of the dead return, and leaving knives out might accidentally hurt them. So, to avoid any accidents, all sharp objects get safely tucked away. It’s a quirky but practical way to keep both your ancestors and yourself safe from any supernatural mishaps.

Italy – Ognissanti and the Fava Beans of the Dead

Halloween in Italy is closely linked to the Catholic holiday of Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day), celebrated on November 1st. Italians visit cemeteries to leave flowers and prayers for their deceased loved ones, and a special treat makes the rounds: Fave dei Morti (Fava Beans of the Dead). These little cookies, shaped like fava beans, are traditionally eaten to honor the dead. They’re sweet, crunchy, and packed with symbolism, representing rebirth and the cycle of life.

Bolivia – Día de las Ñatitas (Day of the Skulls)

Now here’s a tradition that takes honoring the dead to a whole new level. Every November 8th, Bolivians celebrate Día de las Ñatitas, or the Day of the Skulls. Families bring out real human skulls (often of deceased relatives) that they’ve kept as family heirlooms. They decorate the skulls with flowers, hats, and sunglasses and place them on altars, believing the skulls bring protection and guidance. Some people even take the skulls to the cemetery for blessings. It’s like the ultimate post-Halloween celebration.

Austria – Seelenwoche (Soul Week)

In Austria, Halloween is a time to reflect on the spiritual world. During Seelenwoche, or "Soul Week," Austrians believe that the souls of the departed return to earth. They leave out bread, water, and a lit lamp to welcome the spirits back into their homes. It’s a quieter, more introspective celebration that centers around honoring the dead in a gentle, respectful way. Think of it as the more zen version of Halloween!

Peru – All Saints’ Day & All Souls’ Day

In Peru, the spooky season blends with religious traditions during All Saints’ Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd. Families gather at cemeteries to honor their deceased relatives with food, drinks, and music. They clean and decorate graves, sometimes staying overnight to keep their loved ones company. It’s a heartfelt, slightly eerie tradition that mixes mourning with celebration, giving families a chance to bond with their ancestors.

Japan – Kawasaki Halloween Parade

In Japan, Halloween wasn’t really a thing until recent years, but now they’ve taken it to a whole new level! One of the biggest events is the Kawasaki Halloween Parade, held just outside Tokyo on the last day of October. Thousands of people gather in elaborate costumes—think movie-quality cosplay—and parade through the streets. The parade has strict costume rules, and participants need to register in advance, so it’s all about the art of dressing up. It’s more about fun and creativity than scares, but the dedication to costumes is truly next-level.

Ecuador – La Colada Morada and Guaguas de Pan

In Ecuador, Halloween vibes meet culinary traditions during Día de los Difuntos (Day of the Deceased), celebrated on November 2nd. The highlight? The delicious and symbolic combo of colada morada and guaguas de pan. Colada morada is a thick, purple drink made from blackberries, corn flour, and spices, while guaguas de pan are sweet bread rolls shaped like little babies. These treats are shared with family members and offered to the deceased. It’s a weirdly wonderful tradition that’s both sweet and spooky!

Ireland – Samhain Traditions

Ireland is home to some of the oldest Halloween traditions, since Halloween actually originates from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. This holiday marks the end of the harvest season and the start of winter when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest. To protect themselves from roaming spirits, the Celts would light bonfires, wear disguises, and carve turnips (the original jack-o’-lanterns!). Today, Halloween is still celebrated in Ireland with costume parties, haunted houses, and fireworks, but it all started with Samhain’s spooky traditions.

So there you have it—9 weird and spooky traditions from around the world! Whether you’re decorating skulls in Bolivia or hiding knives in Germany, these unique customs remind us that Halloween (and its many cousins) is full of surprises.