With Halloween just weeks away, experts took a look at how different nations celebrate the annual festival.
The team at Busuu researched what October 31 means for other countries and cultures to see if they have embraced the American tradition.
In countries like France, Spain and Poland, All Saints Day takes priority, which falls on November 1.
Likewise in Mexico, families gather on El Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) to light candles around photos of deceased family members and cook their favorite dishes to celebrate their lives.
Other countries, including Germany, Japan, and China, have fully embraced elements of Halloween from the American tradition.
A language expert at Busuu said: “It’s interesting to see how other cultures and countries adapt to each other’s traditions.
“Halloween is an American event, but over the years social media and popular culture have made it an event here in the UK and in countries like Mexico and Japan. But not everywhere adopted it.
“Other countries like Spain protect their traditions like All Saints’ Day and they tend to keep that alive rather than celebrating Halloween.”
The French don’t tend to celebrate Halloween. Busuu experts point out that while France is a secular country, it still has great Christian influence and Halloween is eclipsed by Toussaint – Toussaint – where people traditionally visit the cemetery.
When it comes to having fun for the kids, some will be treats or treats, but few homes will have candy ready for distribution.
Like the UK, Germany seems to have adapted more to the idea of Halloween in recent years and it is mainly young people who are likely to celebrate it. Halloween vibes are definitely met with spooky decor, pumpkins, and fancy dress. Children also do any traditional Halloween activities, such as tricks or treats.
Protector of its traditions, Spain tends not to celebrate Halloween and considers it an American tradition. Young people can go to Halloween club parties and schoolchildren in big cities can go for a ride or a treat, but the event is not widely celebrated by everyone.
Horror marathons are also shown on TV around this time, but usually All Saints’ Day is a much bigger affair on November 1st. As in France, this is also considered a public holiday and people will visit the cemetery to honor the dead.
Mexico, on the other hand, is very important on Halloween, and all traditions are adopted – pumpkins, spooky decorations, disguises.
The only thing that doesn’t really matter is the faking or the treatment – it’s because of the kidnapping fears. Children living in safer neighborhoods can go door to door, but in general, it is not safe for children to roam the streets.
El Día de Muertos is also celebrated around this time. On this day, families come together to remember their deceased loved ones. They light candles and place decorations around their loved one’s photo and prepare their favorite dishes to celebrate their life.
Language experts at Busuu recommend watching the Disney movie Coco to learn more about this day, as the movie does a great job of accurately representing the culture.
In Russia, Halloween tends to be an excuse for young people to party. Some teens may go for a ride or treatment, but households won’t really prepare for it. Instead, they’ll just donate whatever candy they have at home.
Similar to Russia, Halloween in Turkey is also a reason for young people to drink and throw parties and even then the disguises are minimal.
However, they have a tradition similar to faking or treating, but it has nothing to do with Halloween. The feast known as Eid al-Adha It’s when families get together and the kids ask the elders for treats. Some children will go around their neighborhood doing this.
Halloween is not a big holiday in Poland. All Saints’ Day is and families will be heading to the cemetery together, where it is known to be very busy and crowded. Experts actually say it’s as busy as the rush hour on the London hits!
Halloween is as much of a thing as Christmas in Japan and it’s treated more as an event – people will gather in central Tokyo at the famous Shibuya Crossing. They use it as an excuse to dress up and throw parties. Parents also get together so that all their children can go for a ride or treatment safely.
Halloween has definitely grown in China because of popular culture and social media. It is much more used in businesses by stores and bars, or to attend Halloween events. Other than that, kids don’t really play pranks or treats.