Trick or treat? Halloween becomes a global travel draw

From haunted attractions in Asia and Dubai to New York's legendary street parade and Ireland's ancient Celtic celebrations, Halloween is inspiring weekend getaways and giving destinations new ways to attract visitors.

Trick or treat? Pumpkins glow in shop windows, cobwebs cover doorways and costumed revellers take to the streets. This Halloween, the spectacle extends beyond one spooky night as destinations turn the season into a tourism attraction, combining immersive entertainment, cultural heritage and themed experiences.

With Halloween falling on Saturday, 31 October, travellers have a natural reason to plan a weekend escape. According to Airbnb's October 2026 report, searches for Halloween-weekend stays have risen nearly 15% year on year, while searches among Gen Z travellers have increased almost 45%. Halloween-themed wishlists have also climbed nearly 60%.

The figures indicate growing interest in seasonal travel. For tourism operators, the opportunity lies in turning that interest into overnight stays, restaurant visits and spending on local experiences.

Asia brings Halloween to the streets

In Hong Kong, Halloween extends from theme parks into nightlife districts, restaurants and street celebrations. The Hong Kong Tourism Board highlights seasonal attractions across the city, including Hong Kong Disneyland and Ocean Park.

Singapore takes a darker approach with Halloween Horror Nights 14 at Universal Studios Singapore, which runs on selected nights until 1 November. Haunted houses, scare zones and live entertainment turn the visit into an immersive experience.

Halloween's parade in Banqiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan, October 28, 2023. Phil Chang / Shutterstock.com

In Banqiao, New Taipei City, Taiwan, Halloween street parades bring crowds of costumed participants into public spaces, transforming the streets into colourful spectacles and creating opportunities for visitors to photograph and share the celebrations.

In Bangkok, centralwOrld is marking Halloween 2026 with Spooky Boo & Friends, featuring a giant, illuminated 40-metre ghost installation outside the shopping centre that transforms the city-centre landmark into a photo destination, alongside seasonal activities and a Halloween parade on 30–31 October.

These events show how Halloween can extend beyond a single attraction, encouraging visitors to explore surrounding districts, dine locally and experience a destination after dark.

Dubai adds a Middle Eastern twist

Halloween is also gaining visibility in the Middle East, where Dubai is incorporating seasonal scares into its established theme park and entertainment offering.

At Dubai Parks and Resorts, Fright Nights IX runs from 7 October to 8 November 2026. The programme features six Halloween mazes, live entertainment and an Adams Family musical show at the Hollywood-inspired MOTIONGATE Dubai.

Families have another option at LEGOLAND Dubai, where Halloween activities run through 8 November, including costume competitions and themed entertainment.

The extended calendar gives residents and international visitors more opportunities to incorporate Halloween into a Dubai holiday. It also allows theme parks to promote seasonal experiences over several weeks rather than relying on a single night of attendance.

America turns Halloween into a weekend escape

In the United States, Halloween has become a major seasonal attraction, with destinations combining elaborate costumes, haunted houses and neighbourhood celebrations.

Airbnb identifies Salem, Massachusetts, as its top-trending US destination for Halloween weekend in 2026. Known for its association with the 1692 witch trials, the city draws visitors interested in historical sites, ghost tours and Halloween-themed events.

New York City offers a different spectacle. The 53rd annual Village Halloween Parade takes place on 31 October, transforming Greenwich Village into a procession of costumes, puppets and performers. This year's theme is Body & Soul.

In Orlando, Florida, Visit Orlando highlights 94 consecutive days of Halloween celebrations, running from August to November. The programme includes theme park events, haunted attractions and family-friendly activities.

Europe reconnects Halloween with its roots

In Europe, Halloween travel can combine contemporary entertainment with older cultural traditions.

Derry-Londonderry in Northern Ireland is celebrating the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, running from 28 October to 1 November 2026. Inspired by the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the programme features illuminated installations, folklore trails, a carnival parade and fireworks.

The event demonstrates how destinations can turn cultural heritage into a distinctive visitor experience. Tourism Ireland has also reported that its Halloween marketing generated €50 million in incremental inbound bookings last year, highlighting the commercial potential of promoting the country's connection to the holiday.

Elsewhere, Disneyland Paris brings a family-friendly interpretation to the season with themed decorations, costumed characters and entertainment. Such experiences appeal to visitors who prefer festive atmosphere to frightening attractions.

The business behind the scares

Halloween is big business, and its appeal extends well beyond travel. The US National Retail Federation (NRF) expects American consumer spending on Halloween to reach US$13.5 billion in 2026, up from US$13.1 billion in 2025. Its 2026 Halloween survey found that 74% of consumers plan to celebrate this year.

The preparations begin well before 31 October. Nearly half of consumers (49%) started shopping in September or earlier, giving retailers and tourism operators a longer window to promote seasonal products, events and experiences.

Traditional activities remain central to the celebration. Handing out candy is the most popular activity, planned by 61% of consumers, followed by dressing in costume (50%). Decorating homes or yards, carving pumpkins and watching scary movies each appeal to 42%.

These habits also help explain Halloween's potential for tourism. Costume parties, themed dining, pumpkin displays, haunted attractions and seasonal entertainment can turn familiar traditions into reasons to visit a destination. Hotels, restaurants, retailers and event organisers can build packages around these interests, encouraging visitors to stay overnight and explore beyond a single attraction.

Combined with Airbnb's finding that Halloween-weekend accommodation searches have risen nearly 15% year on year, the spending data points to opportunities across retail, hospitality and entertainment. However, the NRF figures measure US consumer spending overall, not tourism expenditure specifically.

For destinations, the challenge is to convert seasonal enthusiasm into visitor spending. Connecting major attractions with local restaurants, neighbourhood events and cultural experiences can help spread the economic benefits beyond ticket sales.

From Banqiao's street celebrations to Dubai's haunted attractions, New York's costume parade and Derry's Celtic-inspired festival, Halloween takes different forms around the world. Yet the appeal remains similar: an opportunity to experience familiar places in unexpected ways.

This weekend, the biggest treat for the travel industry may be turning one night of fright into a much longer stay.