What if we told you that Halloween has taken on an entirely new flavor in Italy?
The second you hear the word “Halloween,” you likely think of ghosts, pumpkins, and costumes. But what if we told you that Halloween has taken on an entirely new flavor in Italy? In recent years, this lovely spooky holiday has found its way into Italian culture, blending both traditional customs with modern festivities. In this blog, we will explore how Halloween is celebrated around Italy and get into some reasons why you should consider spending this spooky holiday in Italy! Read on to learn more!
The Origins of Halloween in Italy
When we discuss Halloween in Italy, it is essential to know a bit about its history. Halloween, as a lot of us know, has roots in ancient pagan traditions, mostly the Celtic festival of Samhain, which is the end of the autumn harvest. However, in Italy, Halloween overlaps with La Festa di Ognissanti and II Giorno dei Morti (All Saints Day and Day of the Dead), both of which are significant days on the Catholic calendar. So on November 1st, Italians celebrate All Saints’ Day, which honors martyrs and saints, and the day after, families remember their loved ones on the Day of the Dead. These celebrations mix traditions with some fun festivities. Halloween is seen as more of a fun and playful holiday focusing on candy and costumes, so it is important to recognize the strong themes of remembering your loved ones while also connecting history with Italian culture.
How do People Celebrate Halloween in Italy?
In recent years, Halloween has become quite popular in Italy, especially with younger generations. In large cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence, you will find busy streets filled with children in costume shouting trick or treat, or “Dolcetto o Scherzetto” in Italian! Stores and markets are decorated with all types of spooky decorations, and you can find everything from cobwebs and carved pumpkins lining up shop windows. Costume parties are the rage, with people dressing up as traditional monsters, movie characters, and superheroes. A few towns host themed events like haunted houses and Halloween fairs, which make it perfect for people of all ages.
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