Best Places To Travel For Halloween 2026: 5 Spooky Weekend Trips

Ghost stories in candlelit underground vaults, fire drummers on a Scottish hill, or a midnight costume party in the shadow of Dracula’s castle. If that sounds like your kind of October, then you are in luck. Because Halloween 2026 falls on Saturday, October 31st. That means the epic holiday is falling on a weekend, so you can celebrate the festival of tricks, treats, and travel without taking extra days off. Trust us when we say that this is the year to pack your costume and take it on a plane, and the best places to travel for Halloween 2026 are only a long weekend away. Or as Anne Shirley puts it in Anne of Green Gables (1908), “I am so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”

Halloween began in Ireland as Samhain, an ancient Celtic festival that marked the end of summer. So some of the best places to celebrate Halloween around the world are still in places where it all began. Planning ahead pays off, too, as KAYAK says October is when searches for iconic Halloween destinations peak, which pushes up flight and hotel prices, so book early. And here is the proof that these picks are worth planning your Halloween trip around, as most of them are ranked in the top 10 of Travel and Tour’s World Top 50 Halloween Travel destinations in the World for 2026. With Transylvania #1, Derry #2, Salem #3, Edinburgh #5, and New Orleans #10.

Below are the 5 best places to travel for Halloween 2026, with exact dates, what to do, where to stay, and how to get there. And if you are planning to hop between countries, we will show you the best eSIM for international travel.

Best Places To Travel For Halloween 2026

1. Derry, Northern Ireland

If you want Halloween in Ireland, then Derry, Londonderry, is the best place to be. The city is known as the Home of Halloween, and 2026 is more special because Derry Halloween turns 40. The 17th-century city walls become the stage for a folklore trail, and on Halloween night, the whole city comes out for the Carnival parade and fireworks over the River Foyle. The best part is that it is free. And don’t just take our word for it! USA TODAY readers voted Derry the best Halloween Travel destination in 2015, and Travel and Tour World ranks it #2 in its top 50 Halloween destinations in the world. Moreover, the 2026 Halloween Destination Index names it the highest-ranked Halloween city in the UK.

• Halloween 2026 dates: October 28th to November 1st, 2026. The carnival parade starts at 7 pm on Saturday, October 31st, and fireworks start around 8:15 pm.
• What to do in Derry on Halloween: Walk the Awakening the Walled City Trail, catch the parade and fireworks, and take the kids to the Little Horrors family events. On a free day, drive an hour to the Dark Hedges or Dunluce Castle.
• Where to stay: inside or near the walled city. If hotels are full, then you can stay in Belfast and take a train to Derry.
• How to reach Derry: Fly into Belfast or Dublin and then take a train from Belfast to Derry, which takes around 2 hours.

Things To Keep in Mind

Derry is in Northern Ireland, which is part of the UK and not the Republic of Ireland. There is no passport check when you cross the land border; however, US and Canadian travelers still need a UK ETA (Electronic Travel Authorization). It is a short online permit you can apply for before your trip. Planning to drive? Check if you need an international driving permit first.

2. Edinburgh, Scotland

Walk down the Royal Mile after dark in late October, and you will see why Halloween in Edinburgh needs no decorations. Literally! Sea fog (locals call it the haar) drifts through narrow stone closes, old graveyards sit right beside busy pubs, and the castle glows on its volcanic rock above you. This city has been spooky for centuries, with its famous history of executions on Castle Hill. On Halloween night, the Samhuinn Fire Festival lights up Calton Hill with hundreds of performers, drummers, and fire artists acting out fights between summer and winter. Edinburgh also ranked 20th on GuruWalk’s 2026 list of the best mystery tours for Halloween. It also sits at #5 in Travel and Tour World’s Top 50 Halloween destinations for 2026.

• Halloween 2026 date: Saturday, October 31st. Gates open at 6:30 pm, the bonfire is lit at 7:45 pm, and the festival runs until 11 pm.
• Tickets: We suggest you buy tickets from the official ticket seller listed on the Beltane Fire Society website.
• What to do: Book a ghost tour of The Real Mary King’s Close or the Blair Street Underground Vaults. Don’t forget to walk through Greyfriars Kirkyard after dark.
• Where to stay: Old Town or New Town, close to Edinburgh Waverley Station.
• How to get there: Fly into Edinburgh Airport or take the train from London, which is approximately 4.5 hours.  

3. Transylvania, Romania

Your Halloween trip to Transylvania starts the moment your bus climbs out of Brasov into the Carpathian foothills, along with the 14th-century towers of Bran Castle. It is also officially the world’s top pick, as Travel and Tour World ranks Transylvania #1 on its Top 50 Halloween Destinations in the World list. Your evening begins down in Bran village with a glass of local red wine and a shot of palincă (a fiery Romanian fruit brandy). As the darkness falls, you walk up the stone path to Dracula’s Castle. Inside, you will see the actors playing Vlad and the Impaler and his court waiting in candlelit rooms, and every narrow stairway feels like it leads somewhere you should not go.

There is a huge tent on the castle grounds, which is filled with DJs, vampires, witches, and a crowd in full costume. The dancing doesn’t stop till 4 am. Also, during Halloween, you cannot miss Sighisoara on your itinerary. It is a UNESCO-listed medieval citadel where Vlad the Impaler was born, and it also hosts the Great Dracula Ball on Friday, October 30th.

• Halloween 2026 date: The Bran Castle Party is on Saturday, October 31st. Most tickets for the party come bundled with a tour from Brasov or Bucharest, so book early.
• What to Do in Transylvania on Halloween: Do the Halloween night tour, explore Brasov’s old town, and visit the Black Church. Visit the hilltop Rasnov citadel near Bran.
• Where to stay: You can consider Brasov, which is 30 km from Bran Castle, with far more hotels, restaurants, and nightlife to enjoy.
• How to get to Transylvania: Fly into Bucharest, then you can take the fastest train to Brasov, which takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes.  

4. Salem, Massachusetts

Salem, Massachusetts, is the top-ranked Halloween destination in the US, and Halloween 2026 in Salem is also a milestone year. The city was founded in 1626 and will complete its 400th anniversary on Saturday, October 31st. For the whole month of October, Haunted Happenings turns this harbor town, which is 22.2 miles north of Boston, into a big costume party. If you are planning to explore Salem as one of the best places to travel for Halloween 2026, then you can expect witches on the brick sidewalks, tarot readers, and long queues outside the 17th-century house where the witch trial judge once lived.

Salem became America’s Halloween town because of the witch trials that happened in 1692, where 25 innocent people lost their lives. Travel And Tour World ranked Salem as the #3 top destination in the world for Halloween 2026.

• Halloween 2026 dates: October 24th from 6 pm, you can attend Witch Hats on Wharf, where hundreds of people will show up in pointy hats. Pack Derby Wharf for a 400th-anniversary world record attempt, and take 1 giant community photo. On October 31st, from noon, live music on stages across Downtown with costumes on every corner. At 10 pm, there is a season finale featuring a 400-drone show over the North River to mark Salem’s 400 years of history.
• What to do in Salem for Halloween: You can start at the Salem Witch Museum, then walk to the Witch House, which is home to trial judge Jonathan Corwin and the only building standing that connects directly to 1692. Tour the House of Seven Gables, then explore the Marketplace stalls. At night, join the candlelit ghost walk, and then grab dinner near the river for the 10 pm drone show.
• How to Reach Salem: MBTA Commuter Rail runs from Boston’s North Station to Salem in about 30 minutes, and a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited rides. The seasonal high-speed ferry runs from Boston’s Long Wharf and takes 50 to 60 minutes. We recommend that you not drive on Halloween because traffic is heavy and parking fills up fast.
• Where to Stay: Choose Boston or nearby Beverly, Peabody, Danvers, or Lynn if hotels in Salem are full.

Best eSIM for Salem Halloween Trip from the UK or Canada

Flying from London, Vancouver, or Toronto, or from anywhere in the world? Then install a Maya Mobile eSIM for the USA before you board your flight. The eSIM will start working as soon as you land at Boston Logan, and you can book your train to Salem easily without joining the queues at the airport kiosks. Get ready to share your spooky photo immediately without paying extra roaming fees.

5. New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans throws a Halloween party like they are celebrating Mardi Gras. The Krewe of BOO!, which is the city’s official Halloween parade, rolls Mardi Gras style floats from the Marigny to the French Quarter. Then the city keeps the party going all the way till October 31st with costume balls, haunted houses, and ghost tours. No wonder Travel and Tour World ranks New Orleans #10 in the world for Halloween 2026.

• Halloween 2026 dates: Krewe of BOO! rolls on Saturday, October 24th at 6:30 pm. The Halloween New Orleans weekend runs from October 31st to November 1st.
• New Orleans Halloween 2026 things to do: Watch the parade, take a ghost tour of the French Quarter, and visit St. Louis Cemetery No. 1. It is the home of voodoo priestess Marie Laveau’s tomb.
• Where to stay: French Quarter or the Marigny.
• How to Reach: Fly into Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which is 15.6 miles away from the French Quarter. Take a taxi or catch the RTA 202 Airport Express bus downtown if you want to save time. Once you reach the French Quarter, we recommend parking outside, since everything is within walking distance.

Halloween in Tokyo 2026: What To Know Before You Go

If you are planning to join the famous Shibuya street party in 2026, then you should know that it is not an official event. Street drinking is banned in Shibuya every night from 6 pm to 5 am, year-round. Littering anywhere in Shibuya now comes with a ¥2,000 ($12.63) on-the-spot fine. Better alternatives include the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Fest and the Harajuku Omotesando Hello Halloween Pumpkin Parade.

Heading to Japan this Halloween 2026? An eSIM for Japan keeps your internet connectivity working from the moment your flight lands.

Last Minute Halloween Trip Ideas for 2026

Still have not decided where to go for Halloween 2026? These are some of the best Halloween weekend getaways 2026, which are easy to plan with just 2 weeks to go until Halloween:

1. New York City: The village Halloween parade returns this year for its 53rd edition on October 31st at 7 pm, and anyone in a Halloween costume can join.
2. Dublin: The Bram Stoker festival celebrates the Dracula’s Irish author from October 23rd to 26.

How to Stay Connected On A Halloween Trip Abroad With Maya Mobile

To stay connected on a Halloween trip abroad, install a travel eSIM before boarding your flight. Your phone will be ready to connect as soon as you land at the airport. So, the best way is to install a Maya Mobile eSIM plan. On a Halloween trip, your phone holds your festival tickets, ghost tour bookings, maps, reservations, and whatnot! Post the Derry Festival and your 4 am Bran Castle video easily with Maya Mobile’s eSIM unlimited data with no daily caps.

Planning to spend Halloween on a cruise? Then, Maya covers 20+ cruise lines on the same global eSIM. Read our best eSIM for cruise trip guide to know more. If you are already spending $500+ on flights, then staying connected should be the easiest part of the trip.

Halloween 2026: FAQs

Where is the best place to go for Halloween 2026?

Derry in Northern Ireland is the best place to go for Halloween as it is Europe’s largest Halloween festival from October 28th to November 1st. In the US, Salem and New Orleans are the top picks.

What are the spookiest places to visit in October?

The spookiest places to visit in October are the Bran Castle in Transylvania, Edinburgh’s underground vaults, Salem’s witch trial sites, and many more.

Is the Derry Halloween Festival free?

Yes, the Awakening the Walled City trail, Carnival Parade, and the fireworks are all free to attend.

What is the best eSIM for a Halloween trip to Ireland?

The best eSIM for travel in Ireland is Maya Mobile’s eSIM, which covers 165+ destinations with one SIM and unlimited data. So, if you are planning a multi-destination trip, you don’t need to worry about swapping SIMs in every new country.

Púca Festival or Derry, which one should I pick?

Pick Púca for Halloween’s ancient Samhain roots with music, arts, and the historic landscapes of County Meath. You can pick Derry for Europe’s biggest parade and fireworks. The best part is that you can do both, and the bus journey from Dublin to Derry takes approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes.

How do I get back to Brasov after the Bran Castle party?

The Bran Castle party runs till 4 am, and it is about 30 km from Brasov, so finding a late-night ride is difficult. We suggest you book a package with return transportation, or stay 1 or 2 nights in the village of Bran.

Can I do Salem as a day trip from Boston?

Yes, you can easily do that. The MBTA Commuter Rail runs from North Station to Salem in about 30 minutes, and a $10 weekend pass covers unlimited rides.

Celebrate Halloween 2026 with Maya Mobile eSIM.

Whether you visit a fire-lit hill in Edinburgh, a castle party in Transylvania, or the French Quarter in costume, these are the best places to travel for Halloween and are worth exploring. And before you fly, sort your data by installing Maya Mobile’s eSIM, with which you can manage multiple eSIMs under one account.

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