The 5 Most Festive Cities In Europe To Visit For An Unforgettable Halloween Vacation

Love travel and a good fright? Halloween might just be the perfect season for you to pack your bags and jet off to some spook-tacular destinations across the globe. Rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, the holiday originally marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter. Nowadays, Halloween celebrations have become more about costumes, candy, and spooky fun, especially for those who enjoy a touch of the eerie and supernatural.

A more lighthearted branch of the growingly-popular dark tourism — aka, the trend to visit places associated with the macabre — Halloween-themed travel taps into our fascination with the mysterious and the unsettling. From exploring haunted castles to touring ancient cemeteries, delving into local ghost stories, or visiting cities with rich folklore during this time of the year, these experiences offer a unique twist on typical vacations.

And although Halloween isn't traditionally celebrated in Europe with the same fervor as it is in the United States, there are several European cities that have embraced the holiday spirit, taking things to a new level. Boasting a mix of historical ambiance, local legends, and seasonal events, destinations from Ireland to Romania, France, and the Netherlands have created their own version of a Halloween extravaganza. So whether you're looking for tours, parties, or just a uniquely spooky backdrop for your autumn travels, there's nothing like a European getaway for a taste of a whole new Halloween experience.

Kicking off our list is Derry. Officially referred to as Londonderry, the destination is actually home to Europe's biggest Halloween festival. Staying true to its Celtic roots, the Northern Irish city transforms the ancient festival of Samhain into a month-long celebration of all things spine-tingling, mysterious, and enchanting. Running from October 28 to October 31, 2024 — with various events in the days leading up to the big celebration — the festival offers a unique blend of history and modern-day entertainment that's perfect for Halloween lovers. From dog costume parades to family-friendly plays, heart-racing cemetery tours, dance parties, and a fireworks show to wrap it all up, the city comes (un)alive with the magic of Halloween.

For a more immersive experience, the popular Awakening the Walled City Trail leads visitors into the heart of the action for a picture-perfect Halloween vacation. Featuring live performances, decorations, and music scattered throughout the historic city center, the free event is suitable for all ages and showcases all of the reasons why Derry is considered the official home of Halloween.

A small town in Romania's Transylvania region (yes, that Transylvania), Bran boasts a unique Halloween atmosphere that's steeped in vampire mythology. The town's main attraction, Bran Castle, is an underrated European tourist destination. It is popularly known as "Dracula's Castle" due to its resemblance with the fortress described in Bram Stoker's 1897 novel. And although the site has no real connection to Vlad the Impaler — who is rumored to be the real-life inspiration for the blood-thirsty character — the castle still goes to great lengths to embrace its fictional connection to the story. Plus, with a grand Halloween party happening on November 2, 2024 — featuring a themed dinner and light show — the event is bound to deliver some spine-chilling thrills.

Beyond that, for a taste of even more authentic history, you can also head roughly 90 miles north to the medieval town of Sighisoara. Once there, you can visit the room where the real Vlad the Impaler was born, and the Sighisoara Clock Tower, which was used a prison in the 18th century and later turned into a museum that used house real torture devices.

Lastly, Transylvania's mystique goes well beyond its vampire tales. Also home to the Hoia-Baciu Forest, a four-hour drive north of Bran, and known as one of Europe's most haunted forests. The region is renowned for its paranormal activity, including ghost, witch, and UFO sightings. The forest's most iconic feature, however, is its mysterious clearing — a desolate area where nothing ever grows despite the soil's seemingly normal condition.

Known as the "most haunted city in Europe", York — tucked away in northern England — is brimming with ghostly legends. With over 500 recorded hauntings, the historic town offers a one-of-a-kind Halloween experience that's rooted in centuries of gruesome tales. Often called the "City of 1,000 Ghosts", York is a playground for supernatural and frightening happening — especially in October. With kid-friendly and adult-only events taking place throughout the month, it'll be easy to soak up some of York's most haunted attractions. From ghost tours to live performances, pumpkin carving sessions, and movie screenings, there's something for everyone (even the not-so brave).

Alternatively, for visitors looking to take things a step further, there's always a visit to the York Dungeon. With a dark and twisted history that spans over 2,000 years, the York Dungeon tour combines the best of live theater and special effects to create a can't-miss spectacle of storytelling and frights. Looking to end the night with a touch of even more hauntings? Head over to the Golden Fleece Pub (and spend the night, if you dare!). Rumored to be the home of 15 restless spirits — including the soul of a Canadian pilot who fell to his death while staying there and the famous Lady Anne Peckett, wife of the Lord Mayor of York — the traditional pub/hotel features four rooms for a spooky sleepover, as well as on-site restaurant and bar.

Although Paris is generally known for its charming cafes and luxurious romantic hotels that'll sweep anyone off their feet, the so-called "City of Love" also hides a dark side that's lurking just below the surface: the famous Paris catacombs. This underground ossuary — a fancy term for a room where the bones of the dead are typically stored — was created in the late 18th century as a response to public health issues and overflowing cemeteries. Today, the catacombs — which are rumored to be haunted, and can't be accessed after dark — house the remains of over 6 million Parisians.

Alternatively, if you're after more family-friendly frights, Disneyland Paris also hosts a series of special Halloween events starting from October 1, 2024. Featuring infamous Disney villains like Maleficent, Cruella de Vil, and Jafar, these characters roam the park freely as they interact with guests and cause a little mischief — adding a playful factor to the usual Disney magic. To top it all off, the park — which also happens to be the most visited amusement park in Europe — is also decorated with Mickey-themed pumpkins and other fall-inspired decor, which makes it a great place for you and your travel companions to get your Halloween fill.

In the same vein, another great option for some French-themed Halloween fun is Parc Astérix. Based on the famous French comic book character, the park's "Fear on the Park" event runs from October 5 to November 11, 2024, and features monster parades, haunted houses, and shows.

Forget a single night of pumpkins and trick-or-treating — Amsterdam is all about cranking up the Halloween intensity. Although the Dutch capital might be more known for its quaint canals and laid-back attitude, the city lets its wild side run free in October — and calls out to lovers of the macabre who want to spend their Halloween doing something a little more.

With plenty of parties and events to choose from, the city's Halloween celebrations go all out. However, the crown jewel of the season is the official "Amsterdam Halloween" party, which is entering its 15th year in 2024. Happening on the night of October 26, the party's theme — "Nuclear Survival" — will take attendees through a wild ride, transporting them into world that's been decimated by an atomic disaster. With immersive experiences, a live DJ set, and some top-notch post-apocalyptic costumes, it's a great way to test your survival skills (and have a little fun while you're at it). Meanwhile, for travelers who prefer a more traditional scare, Amsterdam also hosts its own share of ghost tours, scary film screenings, and a visit to the Amsterdam Dungeons — which boast 500 years of Dutch history tinged with a touch of horror.