Halloween

Halloween, also known as All Hallows' Eve, is a yearly celebration that primarily takes place in North America and other parts of the world. Stemming from ancient Celtic harvest festivals, the observance combines both fun, light-hearted traditions and ties to the supernatural. Some of the most essential aspects of Halloween include dressing up in costumes, attending parties, carving pumpkins to make jack-o'-lanterns, decorating homes, and going trick-or-treating.

Although Halloween has its roots in the Celtic lands of Ireland and the United Kingdom, the holiday has found its way to various places across the globe, including the Netherlands. Historically, the Dutch people have their own set of celebrations during autumn called St. Maarten, which shares certain similarities with Halloween; however, the influence of American culture has helped popularize Halloween in the Netherlands. Stores across the country now sell decorations and costumes, and different events, such as themed parties, festivals, and haunted tours, take place to observe Halloween.

Halloween is observed in the Netherlands in a variety of ways, showcasing an amalgamation of traditional St. Maarten celebrations and modern Halloween customs. Dutch children often dress up in costumes and go door-to-door, though instead of trick-or-treating, they collect candies and other sweets while singing St. Maarten songs. Meanwhile, adults attend themed costume parties and engage in various Halloween-related activities. In recent years, some Dutch towns and cities have started to host organized events like Halloween festivals showcasing street theatre, parades, and other festivities. The Dutch people generally observe Halloween on the same day as the rest of the world: October 31st.