1 / 8The spooky season is almost here. We are talking about Halloween, celebrated every year on October 31. Eerie decor featuring evil-looking pumpkins, witch hats, fake cobwebs and skeletons can be seen in every home, with people stepping out of their homes in fancy costumes, dressed up as characters from folklore and children engaging in the fun trick or treat game. If exploring spooky destinations is on your agenda this Halloween, then add these 7 places to your bucket list right away. (Image: Canva)
2 / 81. Derry, Northern Ireland: Derry hosts one of the world’s biggest Halloween festivals in Europe. The four-day festival is expected to attract more than 1 lakh visitors to the city. The festival begins with “The Awakening the Walled City Trail”, which will feature firelight processions, giant puppets and towering skeletons. Guildhall Square, known as the Heart of Samhain, will host Uncle Doom and His Organ of Gloom, while Bishop Street will become the Halloween home of zombies, werewolves and wailing nuns. On Pump Street, you can look forward to giant pumpkins, live music, and moonlit stilt walkers (Image: Reuters)
3 / 82. Transylvania, Romania: Known as the land of Dracula, Transylvania is home to the legendary Bran Castle, often linked to Bram Stoker’s famous vampire novel called Dracula. The place is known for its dark forests, foggy mountains, and gothic-inspired old castles. During Halloween, Transylvania turns into a vampire-themed wonderland for locals and tourists. Guided tours can take tourists through hidden rooms and dim passageways, transporting them to Dracula’s shadow world. (Image: Reuters)
4 / 83. Salem, Massachusetts: Infamous for its 1962 witch trials, conducted in 1692 Salem is not for the faint-hearted. However, celebrations like the Salem Witches’ Halloween Ball, town fireworks, psychic readings and the Haunted Footsteps ghost tour are a joyous detour from the city’s creepy past. Additionally, some must-visit landmarks include the 1600-year-old Charter Street Cemetery and the 17th-century home of Judge Jonathan Corwin. (Image: Reuters)
5 / 84. Sleepy Hollow, New York: Sleepy Hollow in New York has Halloween written all over it. Tourists can take a stroll in the 19th-century cemetery, where author Washington Irving, known for the short story The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, is buried. Visitors can also embark on a walking tour of Sleepy Hollow and nearby sites like the Old Dutch Church with the historical society. The Irvington Woods is another must-visit spot. (Image: Reuters)
6 / 85. New Orleans, Louisiana, USA: Famous for holding elaborate funeral parades, New Orleans definitely makes it to the list. The city celebrates Halloween with grand processions, vibrant parties, haunted tours and even voodoo performances that light up the French Quarter every year. Think you are brave enough? Then, for a truly scary experience, book a room at Hotel Monteleone on Royal Street, dubbed the city’s most haunted hotel. (Image: Reuters)
7 / 86. Prague, Czech Republic: Prague’s winding lanes and intricate medieval architecture offer a mysterious charm, making it the perfect place for a Halloween visit. Some of the scariest activities that you can enjoy here include visiting the Torture Museum and the ghoulish cemeteries, emanating the perfect horror vibes. Halloween in Prague also calls for fests, carnivals and themed events. (Image: Reuters)
8 / 87. London, England: From the brutal murders by Jack the Ripper to the torture and beheadings at the Tower of London, the Capital of England is a spooky sojourn you cannot miss. Halloween marks the beginning of the HorrOctober month, where you can re-watch horror classics like The Shining and the original Nosferatu at Prince Charles Cinema. Additionally, you can also take a guided night tour of Hampstead Heath, giving an ear to paranormal stories. (Image: Reuters)
