10 Unusual Halloween Traditions From Around The World

It seems there's a whole lot more to Halloween than simply dressing up and trick or treating...

1. Hong Kong - Festival of Hungry Ghosts

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Yue Lan or the 'festival of Hungry Ghosts' is a month long festival in which people appease the ghosts by cooking and celebrating.

2. Singapore - Zhong Yuan Jie

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On this day it's believed the gates of hell are opened for the spirits to return to our world, so what better way to pay them homage than to take to the streets with music and Chinese Opera?

3. Saint Helena - Fake Pumpkins

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On the island of Saint Helena the pumpkin harvest doesn't coincide with Halloween, meaning that locals have to make do with imitation pumpkins...

4. Philippines - Pangangaluluwa

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Think Christmas Carols crossed with trick or treating. On Pangangaluluwa, children go from door to door singing songs for the souls in purgatory, asking for 'abuloy' or money for the dead.

5. Isle of Man - Hop-Tu-Naa

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On the Isle of Man they celebrate Hop Tu Naa. Children carry swede lanterns and sing songs. It was tradition for children to bash the door of ungenerous people with turnips.

6. Romania - Day of Dracula

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In Romania Dracula very much takes centre stage. The Count's home of Transylvania is a hub for halloween enthusiasts and you can even go on tours of his castle...

7. Mexico - Dia de Muertos

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On the day of the dead, or 'Dia de Muertos', Mexicans take time to remember those who have passed and dress up and celebrate as well as pray. Women typically dress up as Catrinas.

8. Ireland - Oiche Shamhna

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Oiche Shamhna or Samhaim Night is a traditional celebration in which people dress up as creatures of the underworld and have bonfire and firework celebrations. Turnips are carved and a special fortune telling cake called a BarmBrack is baked.

9. Bosnia and Herzegovina - Noć Vještica

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On Noć Vještica or 'Night of the Witches', it is commonplace for kids to go to school dressed up and spend the whole day in whatever gruesome outfit they see fit.

10. Japan - Kawasaki Halloween Parade

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For the Japanese people Halloween is either go big or go home. In the Kawasaki parade nearly 4000 people stomp their way though Tokyo's streets with ever more impressive costumes.