10 Best Halloween Events Around the World in 2026 | Parties, Festivals & Shows

Halloween falls on a Saturday in 2026, which means the world's biggest costume parades, haunted attractions, and fire festivals will draw record crowds — and sell out faster than usual. Whether you're after candle-lit parades through medieval streets, haunted house marathons at major theme parks, or an entire city in costume for one night, here are ten real Halloween events worth planning a trip around, from Massachusetts to Tokyo.

1. Salem, Massachusetts, USA — Haunted Happenings

Salem doesn't do a single Halloween night — it does an entire month. Haunted Happenings turns the town famous for the 1692 witch trials into the unofficial Halloween capital of the US, with haunted houses, psychic fairs, costume balls, and a grand parade packed into every October weekend. When: early October through October 31, 2026.

2. New York City, USA — Village Halloween Parade

Running since 1974, the Village Halloween Parade in Greenwich Village is the largest participatory Halloween event in the US — anyone in costume can join the march. Giant puppets and tens of thousands of spectators line Sixth Avenue. When: the evening of October 31, 2026.

3. New Orleans, USA — Krewe of Boo! & French Quarter Halloween

New Orleans treats Halloween like its own mini Mardi Gras: the Krewe of Boo! parade rolls through the French Quarter with floats and brass bands, while bars and courtyards host costume contests all weekend. When: mid-to-late October 2026.

4. Orlando, Florida, USA — Halloween Horror Nights

Universal Orlando's Halloween Horror Nights is the gold standard for haunted-house tourism, with multiple purpose-built mazes, scare zones, and live shows after dark. Peak nights sell out, so book ahead. When: select nights, September through early November 2026.

5. Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland — Derry Halloween

Billed as Europe's largest Halloween festival, Derry Halloween fills the historic walled city with costume parades, live music, and fireworks over the River Foyle, drawing well over 100,000 visitors. When: last week of October, peaking October 31, 2026.

6. Edinburgh, Scotland — Samhuinn Fire Festival

Edinburgh's Samhuinn Fire Festival reenacts the ancient Celtic turning of the seasons with torch-lit processions and a symbolic battle between the Summer and Winter courts — more spectacle than scare. When: around October 31, 2026.

7. Bran Castle, Transylvania, Romania — Halloween at Dracula's Castle

Bran Castle, long associated with the Dracula legend, hosts candle-lit night tours, costume parties, and themed dinners throughout October. Bucharest is the easiest base for day trips into the Carpathians. When: throughout October, peaking October 31, 2026.

8. Kawasaki, Japan — Kawasaki Halloween Parade

One of the largest Halloween parades in Japan, the Kawasaki Halloween Parade near Tokyo draws thousands of costumed participants for a daytime procession built around elaborate cosplay craftsmanship rather than horror. When: last Sunday of October 2026.

9. Singapore — Halloween Horror Nights at Resorts World Sentosa

Universal Studios Singapore's Halloween Horror Nights is Southeast Asia's premier haunted attraction, pairing original horror houses rooted in regional folklore with international franchise mazes. When: select nights, late September through early November 2026.

10. Mexico City, Mexico — Día de los Muertos Parade

Technically Day of the Dead rather than Halloween, but the two overlap into one continuous celebration in Mexico City. The now-iconic parade winds through the historic center while the Zócalo fills with marigolds, altars, and painted calavera faces. When: October 31 – November 2, 2026.

Find Your Halloween 2026 Plans on Loocofest

These ten are just the headline acts — hundreds of smaller Halloween parties, haunted houses, and themed nights are listed daily across Loocofest's global event search. Search any city above, or enter your own destination to see what's happening near you this October.

FAQ

When is Halloween in 2026? Halloween falls on Saturday, October 31, 2026 — a weekend date that typically means bigger crowds and longer event calendars than a weekday Halloween.

Which Halloween event is best for families? The Kawasaki Halloween Parade and the daytime Día de los Muertos festivities in Mexico City are generally more family-friendly than theme-park haunted houses or late-night parades.

Do I need tickets in advance for Halloween Horror Nights? Yes — both the Orlando and Singapore events sell dated tickets, and the weekend closest to October 31 sells out weeks ahead.