Every autumn a frightening fever sweeps the nation from its biggest cities to its smallest towns. It’s the annual opening of eerie exhibitions: Haunted houses, creepy mazes and frightening fairs. Abandoned prisons and decrepit cruise ships re-create scary scenes and tales of terror for chill seekers to enjoy. Here at StudentUniverse we have come up with the ultimate places to visit for a bloody Halloween.
Ireland
Forget rainbows and leprechauns. Halloween originated in Ireland and is known as Samhain Night. The medieval Irish festival of Samhain marked the end of the harvest, bringing shorter days and the darker half of the year. It is linked to the dead revisiting the mortal world, large communal bonfires and associated lore.
The largest organised Halloween celebration in Ireland is the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival in Londonderry, from 27 to 31 October. The city dedicates five days to a carnival of all things spooky. There is a parade, fireworks, fire dancing, and a whole programme of family events. In between the haunted houses, ghost tours and horror-story telling, they squeeze in workshops, catwalks, scary movies and a Dragon Safari.
The Queen Mary, California
California is usually a place for sun, sea and sand but this October it’s a place for nothing but scare and terror. Ahoy! Why not hop aboard Southern California’s Queen Mary; a 12-deck ship and experience 7 terrifying mazes; 1 sassy “fright mistress” in her private lair, a 45,000-square-foot ‘Dome of Doom’ dance hall; and all the requisite skeletons, blood and gore. Make sure you bring a life boat you’re in for a fright!
Hangman’s House of Horrors, Texas
Based on the legend of Hangman and the oh so popular game, a 19th-century murderer who killed his victims by hanging them along the banks of the Trinity River until he was killed by an angry lynch mob … or was he? When the gravedigger arrived to bury his body, it was nowhere to be found. Today, Hangman’s House of Horrors features 3 additional attractions: The Cirque de Fantomes, Hillbillies Revenge and the 3-D Funhouse. Hang around the grounds for live entertainment including bands, rides, karaoke and body art.
Climb of the Cursed, London
As if walking across a 52-metre high dome wasn’t scary enough already, now the O2 is adding a spooky twist to its climb. Eerie sounds and visuals set the mood before the ascent as stories of London’s gruesome past are told at Climb of the Cursed. Climbers wear Ghostbusters-style jumpsuits, with either a trick or treat hidden in a secret pocket, and are given maps of the city pinpointing some of London’s most infamous corners to spot as they scale the O2.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is known as the Halloween party capital of Asia. Halloween in Hong Kong has two traditions. The first involves the event called Yue Lan (Festival of the Hungry Ghosts). Its emphasis is less on celebration, rather it is an opportunity to give gifts to spirits of the dead to provide comfort and ward them off.
The second and more commercialized event is celebrated by expatriate Americans or Canadians. Hong Kong Disneyland hosts the annual Halloween Bash. Bars in Lan Kwai Fong famously throws Halloween parties every year.
While trick or treating is not as commonly celebrated in Hong Kong, there are events at Tsim Sha Tsui’s Avenue of the Stars that will give you that home feeling.
Rose Hall Great House, Jamaica
Annie Palmer was once the pretty young wife of a plantation owner in Montego Bay, Jamaica. She was also said to be a cruel witch who practiced voodoo and tortured and killed her slaves. Tours of Rose Hall focus on reports of hauntings and disembodied voices heard calling from the dungeon. If you’re lucky, you may spot the ghost of the White Witch herself, said to be still roaming these halls.
There’s a world of opportunity out there just waiting to be explored, so make sure you don’t miss out! Remember, the only thing that’s limiting you is your imagination.
If you’re a student discount hunter, you can get student only rates on flights, hotels and tours at StudentUniverse.
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