As an Irish person living in Spain, one of the only holidays that disappoints me is Halloween. For context, Halloween, or Samhain, was created in Ireland, so the bar is pretty high!

I go all out for Halloween. The house is decorated from top to bottom, inside and out. I ask my children what they want to dress up as about a month in advance so I can study the look and practice the makeup they’ll need. I’m always disappointed when they want to buy a costume (like this year!). We carve pumpkins, even though they’re the size of big apples here in Spain, or at least where I’m based in Murcia!

We watch scary movies on the weekends leading up to Halloween and, of course, on the night itself. We stock the house with sweets and fruit ready for trick-or-treaters. And yet, every year, I find myself ranting about kids not dressing up, neighbours not opening their doors, or the people who do open them only to look at us like we’re odd before saying they have nothing to give!

When Spain Falls Short on Spookiness

As someone who loves Spain and living here, one of the things I adore is how they throw themselves into every holiday and saints’ day. It doesn’t matter who, the Saint of Fishermen, the Patron Saint of Horses, there will be a feast in their honour! And fireworks. They don’t usually need much encouragement to set them off in Spain. But not on Halloween.

Every year, Halloween just seems to fall flat. The local town halls are improving, putting on more events for the kids, and schools always have a fancy dress day, which is great. People often say it’s just not their custom, but in a way, it is. Much like the ancient Samhain festival, November 1st is hugely important in Spain, the Day of the Dead, or All Souls’ Day. Families come together to visit cemeteries and honour loved ones who have passed away. So why not go all out for Halloween, too?

Keeping the Magic Burning Bright

For a country that always seems to put children first, it surprises and annoys me in equal measure, every year without fail. I end up reminiscing about the “good oul days” of bonfires and fireworks in Ireland. But still, I’ll continue to decorate my house as if we’re living in Stars Hollow. The looks on the kids’ faces when they see our house make it all worth it.

I’ll always light up our home on this quiet street in our small coastal town in Spain, keeping the Halloween spirit alive, even if it’s just us.

What about you? Do you celebrate Halloween where you live, or have your traditions changed since moving abroad? I’d love to hear how others keep the spooky spirit alive, or what plans you have this year!