Halloween doesn’t hold the same importance in Italy’s cultural calendar as it does in other countries, but there are still plenty of things to do to celebrate.
Halloween-themed festivities are often tacked onto the commemorations of All Saints’ Day (November 1st) and All Souls’ Day (November 2nd). These religious holidays are much more traditional in Italy, and people usually have the day of November 1st off work.
Trick-or-treating has become increasingly popular in recent years, and there are lots of Halloween-themed events for kids.
READ MORE: Crypts and castles: The spookiest places to visit in Rome at Halloween
For adults, Halloween is an occasion for hosting a ghoulish dinner party or heading out to the clubs in costume.
Whether you’re looking for kid-friendly fun or serious scares, these are eight of the top Halloween events taking place across Italy this year.
Halloween Fest – Borgo a Mozzano, Lucca
The town of Borgo a Mozzano has celebrated Halloween for more than 30 years.
The autumnal festival takes over the historic centre with afternoon kids' activities, such as a costume parade. Later, artists, musicians, and actors animate the streets and create the creepy ‘Passage of Terror’.
The highlight of the night is the recreation of the legend of Lucida Mansi, who sold her soul to the devil in exchange for 30 years of beauty. In trying to escape him, she fell out of her carriage into a lake and drowned.
Gardaland Magic Halloween – Castelnuovo del Garda, Verona
Located near Lake Garda in the north, Gardaland is one of Italy’s major amusement parks, and its annual Magic Halloween is an event not to be missed.
The month-long festivities at the theme park include family-friendly Halloween fun like face painting, as well as spine-tingling scares found at their ‘horror maze’.
On Halloween night, a dance party with live music and DJs will run from 5pm to midnight. The Magic Halloween celebrations will conclude on Sunday, November 2nd.
Village of Witches – Triora, Liguria
Likened to Salem, Massachusetts, the medieval village of Triora, Italy, has become synonymous with the witch trials that took place there in the 16th century.
This tragic legacy becomes a spectacle every year at Halloween, when the town streets come alive with themed markets, costume parades, and performances set to live music.
The festival’s expansive programme of events will take place across Halloween and All Saints' Day. All the events are free, with reservations required only for the ghost tour.
Mirabilandia Halloween – Ravenna
Italy's largest amusement park puts on an annual Halloween extravaganza for all ages.
Mirabilandia Halloween features musicals and interactive performances, ranging from Dracula to the Nickelodeon Halloween Party; a haunted Halloween parade; and mazes of haunted tunnels.
Adults can traverse the horror tunnels infested with vampires and zombies in the sinister city of Suburbia, while kids can journey through the tunnels designated for family-friendly magic and mystery.
Mirabilandia Halloween will wrap up on November 2nd.
Leolandia HalLEOween – Capriate San Gervasio, Bergamo
Leolandia’s HalLEOween is a safe and fun Halloween option for families with young children in Bergamo. Every October, the park is decorated with pumpkins and crawling with cartoon characters designed for wholesome Halloween fun.
With more than 50 attractions, live shows, and a Halloween parade, there’s plenty to keep little ones entertained.
There will be special adventures and events on Halloween night, ending with a fireworks display at 9.30 pm. HalLEOween activities run through November 2nd.
Halloween at Cinecittà World – Rome
Cinecittà World, Rome’s historic TV and movie-themed amusement park, transforms into a spooky set for Halloween.
Favourite scary attractions include Inferno, the Dante-themed indoor roller coaster, and the legendary Horror House, where scary movies’ most terrifying characters come to life.
New this year is Goosebumps Village, where kids can go on a Halloween scavenger hunt, watch a magic show, and get lost in a spooky maze.
On the evenings of October 31st and November 1st, the park stays open extra late for Halloween Nights, which feature special performances, music, and other attractions.
Festival of Witches – Corinaldo, Marche
The Marche region’s long-standing autumn festival – La Festa Della Streghe (‘The Festival of Witches’) – turns Cordinaldo into a giant block party. There are interactive Halloween workshops and shows put on for children, and adults can have frights and fun at the Tunnel of Fear, the thematic market, and lively taverns.
Starting from sunset on Halloween, live music by tribute bands and DJ sets will keep the party going into the night.
Halloween at Gropparello Castle – Gropparello, Emilia-Romagna
A real medieval castle, Castello Gropparello, is an unbeatable setting for Halloween festivities – especially since it’s said to be haunted year-round.
The castle’s Halloween event, La Notte delle Streghe (‘Witches' Night’), is a chilling tour through the castle and its grounds following an animated path.
The next day, on November 1st, younger kids are invited to visit the castle in costume for a day of events like trick-or-treating in the forest.
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