There’s a crisp bite in the air, the nights are drawing in and Shrewsbury shopfronts are full of creepy decorations… There’s no doubt that Halloween is just around the corner and we know the perfect way to celebrate: with plenty of pumpkins, beautiful autumn nature and festive events!

What’s on this Halloween in Shrewsbury?

National Trust’s Attingham Park is running lots of Halloween happenings for little ones and families, from pumpkin carving to a half-term trail and spooky story-telling. Nothing too scary but plenty of fun!

Interested in learning more about the gruesome history and ghostly spectres of Shrewsbury? The Shropshire Council is running Ghost Tours of Shrewsbury throughout October and November, as well as private tours for interested parties.

If you’re looking for a horror film to set your skin crawling, Rings (15) is released on October 31^st at Cineworld Shrewsbury. The possessed videotape returns to terrify a new cast in the third spine-chilling Ring movie!

Or do you fancy a truly terrifying Halloween experience? You might have bitten off more than you can chew with Lockdown: Origins at Shrewsbury’s Dana Prison. Lockdown is a scare experience and horror maze with live actors run by Immersive Events guaranteed to scare you out of your socks…

Halloween traditions from other countries

We know how Salopians like to get spooky, but thebestof team were curious as to how other communities around the world celebrate Halloween. Here are the results of our searching: a few fascinating Halloween traditions from around the world.

Spain and Mexico

Most Spanish-speaking countries celebrate ‘Día de Muertos’, or the Day of the Dead, on November 2^nd, though the festival actually starts on the evening of October 31^st. Many families construct an altar and cover it with sweets, flowers, water and photographs as they believe the spirits of dead relatives rise from the grave and return home. Día de Muertos frequently culminates in a large party including ghoulish costumes, wild music and tequila!

Sweden

‘Alla Helgons Dag’ or All Saints Day in Sweden is celebrated from October 31^st to November 6^th. Unlike Halloween in England, Alla Helgons Dag means a shortened working day or school holiday.

Czech Republic

In the Czech Republic and other Central European countries, chairs are placed by the hearth on Halloween night. There is always one chair for each living family members and one for each family member who has passed on.

Hong Kong

Although it takes place at the end of August, Hong Kong’s ‘Yue Lan’ (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts) is very much their Halloween. During this day people believe spirits roam the world for twenty-four hours and so burn pictures of fruit or money, hoping these images can bring comfort to the wandering dead. Fires are also lit and gifts offered to appease angry or vengeful ghosts.

How are you celebrating Halloween this year? Are you getting involved in anything locally or are you organising a community event and you’d like to promote it on our website? Please feel free to add your events by clicking here.

Resource: Halloween Around the World – Novareinna. Available from: http://www.novareinna.com/festive/world.html [Accessed 11th October 2016]