Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween Festivals 2025

Your Ultimate Guide to Halloween Festivals 2025

As October arrives and the weather gets cooler, it’s time to celebrate Halloween festivals. It’s a fun and spooky festival celebrated on 31 October 2025, full of exciting activities like costume contests, haunted houses, pumpkin carving, trick-or-treating, and live shows. Halloween festivals are all about having a great time and making joyful memories together. They are no longer just local events, but they are full travel experiences, so get into the holiday spirit on October 31 and book your flights now with Travelpodium.  

When to Book Flights for Halloween (2025):

• Domestic flights: Book 1–2 months in advance, as you can find the best fares in late August through mid-September.

• International flights: If you are traveling abroad for Halloween, like to Mexico or Europe, aim to book 3–5 months in advance, meaning July or August is ideal.

• Last-minute deals: Not common for Halloween. If you wait until October, then expect to pay more, especially for Friday–Sunday departures close to Oct 31.

Top U.S. Cities for Halloween Travel

Celebrate this Halloween Festival domestically in these amazing U.S. cities:

Salem, Massachusetts

• Known as the Halloween capital of the U.S. and famous for the witch trials.

• You can enjoy haunted tours, costumed parades, witch museums, ghost walks, and candlelit graveyards.

• You need to book early because it is very popular in October.

New Orleans, Louisiana

• The city is famous for its Voodoo history, above-ground cemeteries, and haunted French Quarter.

• You must not miss the Krewe of Boo parade, ghost tours, and costume balls.

• Mixes spooky with party and is great for adults.

Sleepy Hollow, New York

• Yes, the real one from the Headless Horseman legend.

• It’s the home of the Headless Horseman legend, haunted hayrides, and cemetery tours.

• Just north of New York City, it's a great choice for families.

Anoka, Minnesota

• Must visit the city called the “Halloween Capital of the World”.

• Family-friendly parades, house decorating contests, pumpkin carving, and a festive small-town vibe.

Other Great U.S. Spots include:

• Las Vegas, Nevada, for Halloween with glam and glow

• Orlando, Florida, for Disney’s Not-So-Scary Halloween.

• San Diego, California, for family fun and Gaslamp Quarter parties.

• Los Angeles, California, for Universal Horror Nights and the West Hollywood Parade.

Best International Destinations for Halloween

If you are looking to go abroad during Halloween week, then you can consider these international destinations, which are some of the top picks:

Mexico – Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)

• Celebrate Day of the Dead from Oct 31 to Nov 2 in places like Mexico City, Oaxaca, and Michoacán.

• Enjoy beautiful parades, altar displays, music, marigold-filled cemeteries, and cultural immersion.

• This is not just Halloween, but a profound and beautiful holiday, so book early.

Ireland – Samhain Festival

• Halloween originated from Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival.

• You can also enjoy ghost tours, fire festivals, and spooky events, which are hosted in cities like Dublin, Derry, and Galway.

• Derry’s Halloween Carnival is one of Europe’s biggest events

Transylvania, Romania

• It’s the home of the Dracula legend.

• Visit Bran Castle, take ghost tours, and attend a vampire party in Sighișoara.

• A bucket-list Halloween experience for gothic folklore lovers.

Halloween Travel Timeline (U.S.)

• June–July: If you are heading internationally, like Mexico, Ireland, or Romania, this is the time to start tracking flights and booking accommodations because popular cities fill up quickly.

• August: It’s the best time to book domestic Halloween trips. You can grab flights to Salem, New Orleans, Sleepy Hollow, etc. You can find many available hotels, but they will start filling up quickly.

• September: You can still book this month, but prices start rising, especially for weekend flights, and hotels in popular cities start selling out.

• Early October: You might find last-minute deals, but options are limited, so it’s best for flexible travelers or locals doing road trips.

• Mid–Late October: Expect to pay high prices for flights and hotels, also many Halloween events will be crowded or sold out. Consider booking this month only if you have no choice or love the chaos.

Plan your Halloween Festival 2025 with Travelpodium

Book your Halloween adventure with Travelpodium and experience the thrill of the season like never before. From ghost towns to haunted hayrides, we will help you find the best flights, the scariest sights, and the most fun-filled frights. Also Read: Warrens Cranberry Festival Wisconsin

Conclusion

There’s never been a better time to plan an unforgettable seasonal adventure. Get ready to celebrate this Halloween with lots of fun and excitement. Whether you are looking for the best Halloween festivals in the US or are thinking of flying abroad, book your flights with Travelpodium and make your Halloween festivals 2025 memorable. If you are traveling as a group, couple, or with kids, you’ll find many Halloween festivals for families that balance spooky fun with safety and creativity.

So don’t wait until the last minute, as the flights and hotels fill up fast, especially for top destinations. Make your Halloween festivals 2025 spooky and unforgettable with Travelpodium, as we are here to help you plan the perfect Halloween getaway with ease.

FAQs about Halloween Festivals

Q.1: What are Halloween festivals?

Halloween festivals are seasonal events held in late October that feature spooky attractions, costume contests, haunted houses, themed food, games, and entertainment. They can range from family-friendly fairs to terrifying haunted mazes for adults.

Q.2: When do Halloween festivals usually start?

Most Halloween festivals run from early October through Halloween night (October 31). Popular events may start as early as late September, especially at amusement parks or large city-wide festivals.

Q.3: What kind of activities are at Halloween festivals?

Activities vary, but most festivals include costume contests, pumpkin carving or painting, haunted houses or trails, live music or spooky shows, food trucks and themed treats, face painting and carnival games, and some also include ghost tours, escape rooms, or hayrides.

Q.4: Why do people wear costumes on Halloween?

Wearing costumes comes from the belief that disguises would confuse or scare away spirits roaming on Halloween night. Now, it’s a fun way to express creativity and celebrate with others.

Q.5: What does “trick-or-treat” mean?

It’s a Halloween tradition where kids dress in costumes and go door-to-door saying “trick or treat” expecting candy in return. The “trick” is mostly just for fun, and no real tricks are involved.