Whether in the big cities or the small towns of America, Halloween celebrations are an absolute blast. With tall tales passed down through generations, ghost stories, historic homes, and an extra-festive dose of holiday spirit, nothing sets the mood quite like Halloween. The word ‘Halloween’ comes from ‘Allhalloween,’ which comes from the old English word for ‘All Hallows Eve.’ Since it’s the evening before All Saints’ Day (November 1st), Halloween is celebrated on the 31st of October every year. The best city for Halloween in the US, including small towns, makes celebrations incredibly special – and dare we say spookier too! After all, small towns away from crowded places have a certain spook element already going on. And larger cities, well, there’s something eerie about celebrating the festival in populous locales too!
Originally the custom comes from a Celtic tradition in Ireland (see below for more), and due to a large number of Irish immigrants, Halloween came to the United States of America.
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New York City, New York
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We begin with the place that has one of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the world, New York City! In fact, the celebrations in the Big Apple are the gold standard of Halloween celebrations, making NYC the best city for Halloween. All the action is focused around the Village in Lower Manhattan, which practically shuts down during the massive Halloween Parade. The origins of this iconic parade go back to 1973 when puppeteer Ralph Lee created it. Today, it attracts more than 2 million spectators and 60,000 participants in the parade. You’ll see everything from giant puppets and elaborate costumes to even dancers, fire breathers, etc.
While spectators can watch the event for free, you’ll need to wear a costume if you want to participate in the parade. Spectators can show up early and grab a spot along 6th avenue if they want to skip the long general admission line. Or, you could purchase skip-the-line tickets or tickets to the annual “Special Theme Costume” section of the parade.
If you’re still left wanting more after the parade, head on this Ghosts of Greenwich Village Exploration Game Tour, It will certainly satiate your spooky pangs.
Salem, Massachusetts
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It’s hard to exclude Salem when it comes to everything spooky, isn’t it? Salem has a notorious history on the road to becoming the best town for Halloween; it was the setting for the infamous 1692 witch trials. However, today it has an immeasurable appeal for those who’re seeking some real-life holiday magic and supernatural oddities. Magic shops, witch-trial reenactments, and witch museums fill the city during the Halloween season. The month begins with the Grand Parade full of performances and festive vehicles and floats.
You could watch the witch trials come to life at the Gallows Hill Museum or bring your pets to the Howl-o-Ween Pet Parade. However, those who love haunted places should hop on board the Ghosts & Legends Trolley. The eerie ride drives yous past spots such as the House of the Seven Gables. A horror festival, a witches Halloween ball, and a psychic fair – Salem during Halloween has it all. It’s no wonder that Salem sits at the heart of the most visceral Halloween lore in the U.S.!
New Orleans, Louisiana
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It’s no surprise that America’s most haunted city, New Orleans, is also the best city for Halloween! The fact that NOLA can throw parties like nowhere else is no secret, and Halloween is no exception. The Big Easy, as the city is famously called, boasts lots of events focused on the supernatural and voodoo history of the region. The biggest Halloween party of them all is the Krewe of Boo parade, which takes place in the gorgeous French Quarter, one of the USA’s top tourist attractions.
Besides participants donning extravagant costumes, you’ll also see them tossing candies to kids and riding spectacular floats. You could also check out the amazing Skeleton House on St. Charles Avenue, which is decorated with – you guessed it right – skeletons every year! If all this isn’t spooky enough for you, then maybe the 2-Hour New Orleans Haunted Cemetery and City Night Tour will scare the daylights out of you. In fact, ghost tours abound by the year, so those who love everything scary can visit NOLA throughout the year.
Buena Park, California
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The Halloween capital of SoCal is Buena Park, one of the best towns for celebrating this scary holiday. This region transforms into “Boo-uena Park” during Halloween, with the famous Knott’s Berry Farm theme park becoming the “Knott’s Scary Farm”! In fact, it’s not just the first but also the United States’ longest-running Halloween theme park. With interactive zombie experiences and scary mazes, it’s right up a spook lover’s alley. If you’re traveling here with kids, there’s also a less intense Knott’s Spooky Farm experience for younger kids with more trick-or-treating and Snoopy and fewer scares. Other things to do during Buena Park’s Halloween include the Silverado Days Festival, Rock & Brews Monster Beer Fest, and the Vampirate’s Halloween Show at the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure theater.
Sleepy Hollow, New York
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Spooky cemeteries, thousands of carved pumpkins placed on a carousel, and the legend of the headless horseman; now this is what we call a Halloween celebration! Welcome to Sleepy Hollow, the place for everything sinister and the best city for Halloween! The town is the famous hometown of the Headless Horseman Legend by Washington Irving. So, it’s no surprise that the town treats Halloween as a year-round vibe and not a month-long festival!
Those who’d love to embrace the holiday spirit of this so-called spooky town have tons of things to do around Halloween here. One of the most popular things to visit is the 300-year-old Van Cortlandt Manor. Every year during Halloween, it gets an epic makeover for the Great Jack-‘O-Lantern Blaze. You could also explore the historic Lyndhurst Castle or visit the iconic Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, where Washington Irving rests. Finally, there are also spooky street fairs, haunted hayrides, cemetery tours, and dramatic performances of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” The Haunted Hayride follows the same path as the legendary and eponymous tale, which takes you across the historic Old Dutch Church, the (in)famous wooden bridge, and into the woods. Boo!
Anoka, Minnesota
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The lively community of Anoka in Minnesota is famous as the “Halloween capital of the world” and is the best town for celebrating Halloween. The mission here has been the same since the town was established in the 1920s – to provide everyone with fun ways to celebrate the scary holiday. The town supposedly held the first Halloween event in the country as a method of keeping kids from creating mischief and pulling pranks. Today that has manifested into one of the country’s best Halloween celebrations. Think parades, bonfires, runs, scavenger hunts, parties and balls, and scarecrow contests galore.
Begin your celebrations by looking out for goblins and ghosts at the Anoka Haunted House. Later on, enter the scarecrow contest or show off your finest pumpkin carving skills at the Pumpkin Carving Contest. The Grande Day Parade, Minnesota’s largest, sees costumes, floats, and spectacular light displays. As you walk through the town, you can even admire the handiwork of people who’re competing in the House Decorating Contest. Fancy a Halloween marathon? Put on your best costume and participate in the Anoka Halloween Gray Ghost 5K Run.
St. Helens, Oregon
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St. Helens is qualified to be the best city for Halloween. Why? Because it was the setting for the iconic Disney movie “Halloweentown!” In addition to being a spooky Disney movie setting, the town also celebrates a massive annual giant pumpkin lighting. This charming town just a few miles north of Portland, St. Helens, became a mega-Halloween town after the 1998 film was released. Today, Halloween in this city is all about a fabulous costume parade, haunted houses, a haunted hearse and car show, a monster fun run, and a giant pumpkin lighting ceremony.
Flag off your Halloween activities by checking out the decorations at the town square and watching the lighting of the Great Pumpkin. After a family-friendly haunted mansion tour, follow the Scarecrow Trail and see the goings-on of the Scarecrow Contest. You could also be part of a spooky storytime, pack a whack-a-witch game, or go on a scavenger hunt. Wrap up the day with a tour of the Haunted House.
Independence, Kansas
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‘Queen City of the Trails’ Independence in Kansas is yet another best town for Halloween. This lovely town is famous for its unique 9-day “Neewollah” festival, which is Halloween spelled backward! But that’s not all. It’s the largest annual event in the state and has seen as many as 75,000 visitors make it here. What’s more, the family-friendly event features a host of activities such as carnivals, food festivals, parades, and more.
Meanwhile, grownups can strut their Halloween stuff at the DooDah Parade, which has everything from unusual creatures and bearded beauties to the odd drill team. Imagine a crossover of Halloween and Mardi Gras – that’s right! However, if you want spooks, then don’t miss the Shattered Souls Haunted House, southeast Kansas’ largest haunted house.
While in Independence, visitors shouldn’t miss the Shattered Souls Haunted House & Shatter Vision 3D, the largest haunted house in southeast Kansas.
Ceredo and Kenova, West Virginia
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If you want to see how West Virginia celebrates Halloween, head to the twin cities of Ceredo and Kenova. These two small towns in West Virginia team up every year to host the phenomenal two-day-long C-K AutumnFest. Think a host of orange-hued fall fun such as tractor shows, festivals, and bake-offs. However, the absolute best part is definitely the famous Pumpkin House, where 3,000 jack-‘o-lanterns are put on display. It’s no wonder that these two towns are a hotspot for Halloween enthusiasts. Also, don’t miss the Great Scarecrow Hunt and the popular Nightmare at Dreamland Haunted Trail. If you’re here with your kids in tow, there are many food vendors and kids’ activities that families will love.
Estes Park, Colorado
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Estes Park is one quiet and serene mountainside village – so the spookiness is obvious! It’s most famous for being home to the historic Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for the hotel in Stephen King’s “The Shining,” and one of the world’s most haunted hotels. Hence, it’s no surprise that in October, the spookiness is in the very air, and you’ll find lots of Halloween-focused events. Horror fans must attend the “Shining Ball” to see theater characters, while others can attend murder mystery dinners and costume contests. When you get to Halloween night, head out for trick-or-treating fun. Families will love the Autumn Gold Festival, which has everything from pony rides and face painting to beer, bratwursts, and live bands.
Chatham, Massachusetts
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The scenic seaside town of Chatham in Massachusetts is the best city for Halloween. The charming Cape Cod town is famous for its annual “Pumpkin People in the Park” event. Every October, the denizens create quirky and fun pumpkin creations to display on the lawns. You can see them everywhere; outside homes, in public parks, and even in green community spaces. What’s more, this town also hosts its very own Oktoberfest event the Saturday before Halloween, complete with activities and foodie fun. The beautifully carved pumpkins make for a unique and rather gorgeous backdrop. Finally, on Halloween night, you can even go trick-or-treating while clicking pictures of the beautiful pumpkins about town.
Cool Facts
- Dia De Los Muertos in Mexico, also known as the Day of the Dead, is nothing like Halloween. In fact, the two-day somber event remembers those who’ve passed on and is one of the best annual world festivals worth the trip.
- The 96-year-old Drake Hotel in Chicago hosts a much sought-after haunted theme tour during Halloween, which is almost always booked.
- Halloween actually comes from an ancient Celtic festival. When Irish immigrants fled the potato famine in the mid-1800s to come to the United States, they brought the tradition of Halloween with them.
