By Julianne Wilhelm
While Halloween is largely a western tradition where ghosts and ghouls come out on one night a year, the festivities can still be felt across the globe. The holiday usually means dressing up, throwing outrageous parties, and spooking each other through a variety of monster-ish means. In other places around the world, Halloween parties include more than just an overly-spiked punch in one hand and a popcorn ball in the other. Check out some top ragers going on this Halloween around the world.
Derry, Ireland: First, credit must be given where it is due to the country of Ireland, which is where the first Halloween festival began many centuries ago. Today, the same enthusiasm is still felt across the streets of Derry during the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Festival. The festival runs for 8 whole days between the 24th and 31st of October and is said to be Ireland’s biggest street party. Between 30,000 and 50,000 people fill the streets every night dressed up as witches, ghouls, banshees, and other masked monsters. Among them are street performers and live bands, but the highlight of the celebrations is the outdoor carnival which ends with an infamous firework show. If you find yourself near the land of the lucky, this is one party you don’t want to miss.
Dubai, UAE: If you’re kind of party involves a night full of lively music, the Desert Rhythm Festival is where you should be celebrating this Halloween. Every year around Halloween, Dubai hosts one of the largest music festivals around, featuring an array of artists from all over the world, such as Arabia, Turkey, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Dance to the music under the Arabian skies along with entertaining belly dancers, fire dancers, and other exotic performers. When you’re ready to fuel up after a long night of dancing, replenish with the festival’s worldwide food to sample and kick back while you watch…or participate…in the Halloween costume contest.
Oaxaca, Mexico: One of the top Halloween parties in the world can be found in Mexico during their festival, Dia de Los Muertos. This party is great for those who are interested in Mexico’s traditions and aren’t too scared to celebrate in a crowded graveyard, and by crowded, that doesn’t just mean the living. In Oaxaca, it is said that the living are reunited with their departed ancestors on this very night. Dead relatives are remembered by decorating cemeteries, in particular, the Xoxocotlán Cemetery, which is where the biggest party takes place. At the entrance, giant tents are set up selling food and trinkets, along with live bands and local orchestras. Inside, every tombstone is decorated with flowers, candles, candies, and other décor while families of the deceased celebrate and dance in their return.
Transylvania, Romania: If you want your Halloween celebration to really count this year, head on over to the birth place of Count Dracula himself, Transylvania. Guests at this party will be especially wined and dined a traditional Romanian festive dinner along with Dracula’s own favorite beverage. Let your mind wonder with that last one. After dinner, you can enjoy a special performance of, “Dracula’s Wedding” and then move on to the dance floor while traditional Romanian bands play the night away. As midnight nears, everyone steps outside to watch the moon and counts down to 12 o’clock, which is said to be when all bad wishes come true! If by the end of the night you’ve had enough of Dracula’s, “favorite spirited beverage,” take your chances in competing in the best, “Howl at the Moon.” Dracula will reward you, himself, with a special gift.
Las Vegas, Nevada: Oh, America. Only you could take the whole, “Land of the free, home of the brave,” and use it to turn an innocent, historical holiday, into a naughty night of erotic extravaganzas. In other words, the Fetish & Fantasy Halloween Ball. While the good ole’ red, white, & blue has an insane amount of Halloween celebrations going on in every corner of the continent, this is the one that seems to have gotten the most recognition. Sin City takes part in Halloween every year by hosting its famed, “erotic ball” that is named, “One of the Top Ten Events In the World,” by the Travel Channel. There’s only one requirement to be able to enter into the fetish festivities, and that is you must wear a costume or pay a $40 fine. But don’t turn around yet, a simple fig leaf over the most crucial areas has proven to be enough for this bangin’ ball. Although the outrageously dressed guests could suffice for entertainment, the festival puts on erotic stage shows, laser cannons, haunted houses, stilt walkers, and all kinds of fun entertainment. If this Halloween, you’re looking to embrace being, “free,” and “brave,” head over the Hard Rock Hotel to see just how far you can take those limits.
Whichever part of the world you happen to be in this Halloween, there is guaranteed to be a party going on that you don’t want to miss!
