Halloween is a time where people can eat candy, dress up and have fun! This holiday is the second most popular holiday in the U.S. and is also one of the oldest holidays. Some cultures and religions celebrate differently than the United States, and some don’t celebrate at all. 

Latin American countries such as Mexico and Spain celebrate Día de los Muertos or the Day of the Dead. This celebration takes place on October 31st through November 2nd every year. Instead of scaring people and eating candy, these Latin Americans use these days to commemorate their lost loved ones. On these days, the dead are believed to return to their homes, therefore many construct an altar for them. They decorate these altars with photos, flowers, fresh water, their favorite foods or with an item of sentimental value. 

In England, citizens celebrate Guy Fawkes Day. This takes place on November 5th every year. It is commemorated with bonfires and fireworks lit across the country. These activities were designed to honor the life of the English traitor, Guy Hawkes. 

Haitians celebrate a holiday known as “Fed Gede” or “Festival of the Ancestors.” Fed Gede occurs every year on November 1st and 2nd. During this Voodoo holiday, different Voodoo communities throughout the world take part in lighting candles and visiting their families graves. As these countries use this day to honor the dead, others celebrate in a more joyful way.

The Chinese celebrate “The Hungry Ghost Festival.” This festival occurs in both Hong Kong and China every year. It is celebrated from the seventh day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar, sometimes lasting several months. This year, the holiday fell on August 22nd through September 6th. Some of these activities include, but are not limited to parades, operas and burning license. 

South Koreans celebrate Chuseok. This lasts three days and is celebrated on the 15th day of the eight month on the lunar calendar. This year it happened to fall on September 21st through September 22nd. It is very similar to Thanksgiving, where South Koreans travel back to their hometowns and share a feast with their families.

In countries like America and the UK, people celebrate Halloween, which occurs on October 31st every year. Many children dress up in costumes and go trick-or-treating or go door to door asking for candy. If Americans decide against trick-or-treating, then they might attend a party or attend Universal’s Halloween Horror Nights, which is an event where attendees can go inside haunted houses and get a good scare. 

Every country has their own, unique culture that not everyone may celebrate or be aware of. People could hold their own cultural celebrations or decide not to celebrate at all. No matter what a person celebrates, everyone is unified at this time of the year despite cultural differences.