Halloween is undeniably big business in the United States, with theme park giants like Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando Resort offering events like Mickey’s Not-So-Scary Halloween Party and Halloween Horror Nights. Even smaller, regional parks like Busch Gardens, SeaWorld, and LEGOLAND offer Halloween events like Howl-O-Scream, Halloween Spooktacular and Brick or Treat for guests to enjoy.
However, though many think of Halloween as a primarily North American celebration, there are plenty of parks outside the US that do some amazing things for this holiday as well!
United Kingdom
Alton Towers
Image: Alton Towers
Alton Towers actually hosts two Halloween events in the fall, one for children specifically and one for a more adult crowd.
First up is the Halloween Spooktacular, which allows guests to join characters Franklyn, Skelvin, Patch, Phil and Gretyl in their colorful Halloween playland! Young families can also take part in the CBeebies Monster Ball.
For those who enjoy something a little bit more adult, Alton Towers also offers Scarefest, which includes multi award-winning scare mazes and the chance to experience the park’s thrill rides and attractions in the dark including Wicker Man and the Alton Towers Dungeon
Thorpe Park
Image: Thorpe Park
Every year Thorpe Park hosts a Fright Nights event that features haunted mazes based on popualr IPs like The Walking Dead and The Blair Withc Project, as well as some mazes based on original concepts as well. This year, Thorpe Park is also offering a “premium” escape the room experience as well for guests who purchase a special extra add-on ticket.
Chessington World of Adventures
Image: Chessington
This year Chessington World of Adventure is offering its annual Howl’o’Ween event which is included with admission and allows guests to experience the scary Creepy Caves Unearthed attraction as well as the Trick or Treat Wood and the Haunted Howl’o’ween Live Show. Guests in the park in the evening can also experience rides in the dark during this special event and participate in a costume contest.
LEGOLAND Windsor
Much like at LEGOLAND Florida, LEGOLAND Windsor has an annual Brick or Treat Halloween event takes place in Octobe and features plenty of activities primarily aimed at kids under 12. During this event children can go trick-or-treating along a special “brick-or-treat” trail featuring plenty of goodies, sweet treats and other surprises for kids to fill their bags with. As well as these treat stations, guests can explore the Creepy Cobweb Castle, get their groove on at the Monster Rocker’s Dance Party and experience the Haunted House Monster Party Ride!
Europe
Disneyland Paris
Image: Disney
Much like Walt Disney World and Disneyland in the US, Disneyland Paris goes all out for the Halloween season, with special character entertainment, shows, parades, and more happening around the park during regular operating hours, plus a special Halloween-themed fireworks show featuring Disney villains that happens every evening at park closing. In addition to all the special in-park entertainment that is included with admission, Disneyland Paris also hosts Disney’s Halloween Party, which includes more entertainment, trick or treating, and more!
Europa Park
Image: Europa Park
Germany’s largest theme park has several events happening during the Halloween season. During the day, guests can experience special Halloween-themed shows, a special holiday parade, and the addition of over 3,000 pumpkins around the park.
After dark, guests can attend a separately ticketed event: Horror Nights – Traumatica, which simulates a post-apocalyptic world overrun by supernatural creatures. Five Factions populate the world of Horror Nights – Traumatica, including ghouls, vampires and more. This event is unique among other “Horror Nights” events, as there is one singular theme, and guests are invited to become a part of the “story” of the world of Traumatica.
Latin America
Six Flags: Mexico
Image: Six Flags
Six Flags Mexico is the most-visited theme park in all of Latin America, and this park goes all out for Halloween with its Festival of Terror event, which is a seperately-ticketed event and includes several haunted mazes, scarezones, shows and more. This event also includes live music and a horror dance contest.
Xcaret Park
Image: Xcaret Park
For something a little different, you can travel to Xcaret Park in Mexico, which hosts the Festival of Life and Death, celebrating the rituals of the Mayan world and more modern traditions surrounding the day of the dead. Guests can experience the Xantolo, a celebration from the Huasteca region that tributes those who left this Earth, as well as theater plays, dance shows, concerts, and the traditional All Saints’ Catholic mass. There will be interactive workshops, exhibitions, and the Interactive Hacienda which is a space for children and grown-ups where they can learn and have fun while learning about the many Day of the Dead traditions.
Asia
Tokyo Disney Resort
Image: Disney
Disney Halloween at Tokyo Disney Resort includes all kinds of special entertainment, including a Spooky ‘Boo!’ Parade, a Disney Villains fireworks show, spooky new food items, and of course plenty of Halloween-themed photo ops. In addition, the World Bazaar land is transformed after dark with Halloween music and visuals.
Universal Studios Japan
Image: USJ
In an effort to cater to as many guests as possible, Universal Studios Japan has two distinct, but very different Halloween events going on at the same time. First up is Kona Kawa Halloween, which includes character greetings, special decorations and trick or treating for kids. There is also a special Halloween parade that happens featuring characters like Snoopy, Elmo and Hello Kitty.
However, in addition to the kids’ event, Universal Studios Japan also has its own version of Halloween Horror Nights, which has houses based on popular IP like Ringu, Chucky, Resident Evil and more. In addition, there are special upcharge experiences, like the “extreme” Hotel Albert house (which a separate ticket must be purchased for) and a spooky haunted manor dining experience. Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios Japan also includes several scarezones and a dance party with scareactors that is unlike any other Halloween Horror Nights event anywhere else in the world!
Shanghai Disneyland
Image: Shanghai Disney
Over at Disney’s newest park, Shanghai Disneyland, Halloween Celebrations include a special parade featuring Disney villains, a nighttime show, a dance party with the characters from the Nightmare Before Christmas, and plenty of trick or treating opportunities (that you don’t have to pay extra for!) In addition, Shanghai Disneyland plusses up their Treasure Cove attraction with scareactors dressed as undead characters from a long lost ghost ship.
