My Halloween obsession in the Czech Republic: why is this yearly spooky celebration important to me?
Living in the Czech Republic, where Halloween is not exactly a mainstream holiday, can seem like a challenge for a die-hard Halloween fanatic like me.
But let me tell you, nothing stands between me and my beloved spooky season. Not even the absence of trick-or-treating in the streets or the lack of haunted houses popping up on every corner.
Halloween has grown on me, and every year I find a way to celebrate it - whether my Czech neighbors understand why I have spider webs over my windows or not.
Why am I fascinated by Halloween?
Let's start with the obvious: Halloween is the best excuse to be spooky, and creative and indulge in all things scary. But more than that, it's a holiday when imaginations run wild, when fear becomes fun, and when I can escape from the everyday world into something a little more supernatural. In a way, living in a country where Halloween is not traditionally celebrated makes me appreciate it even more. My husband and I are living this day to the fullest, already several weeks before during the thorough preparations. It has become my special occasion, my little rebellion against normality.
I confess: I've always been a bit of a creepy nerd. Growing up, I was the kid who devoured horror books, secretly watched scary movies late into the night, and eagerly anticipated Halloween night like it was Christmas. Now that I live in a place where Soulstice and other fall traditions are at the forefront, I still long for the magical, mischievous atmosphere that Halloween brings.
But why do I care so much about Halloween? Let me explain...
A little bit of mischief (and candy)
Halloween has a whimsical, mischievous energy that other holidays just don't offer. It's the one time of year when a little weird behavior is not only acceptable but downright encouraged! After all, who doesn't love walking around in ridiculous costumes, fortified with candy, and pretending to be a witch, ghost, or ghoul? Even if we don't go trick-or-treating in the streets of Bohemia, I make sure I have bowls of candy at home - because, let's be honest, I don't need kids knocking on my door as an excuse to gobble up Snickers bars.
And let's not forget the decorations. Every year I turn my apartment into a miniature haunted house (much to the confusion of my Czech friends). Think spider webs over the windows, bats hanging from the ceiling, and pumpkins with creepy faces carved into them as well as assorted decorations all over the furniture. Sure, the neighbors look at me strangely when I drag a giant pumpkin into my apartment, but once they see it shining out the window, they have no choice but to smile.
And finally, it's the costume itself that I put the most effort into each year. The elaborate makeup, the costume with the wig, or the horrible colored contact lenses that give such credibility that even people in the store or on the bus run away from you. The joke of the game is not to be shy and to have the courage to step out in the guise of a supernatural or ancient character that inspires admiration and fear at the same time.
Halloween in the land of different traditions
And now it gets interesting. In the Czech Republic, Halloween hasn't quite made it into the mainstream yet. Instead, locals here celebrate Soulstice, a more somber and pensive holiday where people visit cemeteries to honor the memory of their deceased loved ones by lighting candles and placing flowers on graves. While Soulsgiving and Halloween share a common focus on the dead, their tone is quite different.
But honestly? I like both. There's something deeply meaningful about quietly remembering those we've lost during All Souls' Day, but that doesn't mean I can't have fun on Halloween, too. I've found a way to balance both - to embrace local customs while still keeping the Halloween spirit. After all, who says you can't honor the dead with both a lit candle and a spooky carved pumpkin?
How do I celebrate Halloween in the Czech Republic?
Okay, maybe I don't have hoards of kids knocking on my door in costumes asking for candy, but that doesn't stop me from going all out. If you live in a place where Halloween is more of a side event than a national one, don't worry - I've got some tips for you to make the most of it:
1. Throw a Halloween party
If Halloween isn't happening in your area, create your own spooky fun! One of my goals and big wishes is to host Halloween parties for my friends to make it a full Halloween: costumes would be mandatory, scary movies would run on a loop, and a haunted corner would be created in the house. One year, I even thought about creating a murder mystery party where each guest would have to solve a grisly crime by the end of the night. It's amazing to think how even those unfamiliar with Halloween traditions would get in the mood when a few cobwebs and spooky background music are involved.
2. Introduce Halloween to your neighbors
One of my favorite moments was when I introduced my Czech friends to pumpkin carving. Let's just say it was a hilarious mix of artistic ambition and very successful jack-o-lanterns. But eventually, they caught on, and every year at least one person asks if we'll do it again. Whether we're teaching someone to carve pumpkins or making spooky-themed snacks like "mummy hot dogs" or "witch's fingers" (just pretzel sticks with almond slices - we promise!), sharing the spirit of Halloween is part of the fun.
3. Scary Movie Marathon
If the world around you isn't going full Halloween mode, create your own spooky world at home. My annual tradition involves a scary movie marathon. I start lightly with something like Hocus Pocus or Beetlejuice and then gradually work my way up to the really scary movies - The Shining, Hereditary, or The Haunting of Hill House. At the end of the night, I get scared and think my apartment is definitely haunted. (Spoiler: It's probably just my overly vivid Halloween imagination.)
4. Visit the Czech Cemetery
This one sounds dark, but visiting a cemetery during All Souls' Day is beautiful and moving at the same time. The cemeteries here are lit with thousands of candles, creating an almost magical atmosphere. It's not Halloween in the American sense, but there is something deeply spooky and comforting about it. I like to think of it as the calm before the Halloween storm.
Halloween = personal escape
Halloween is important to me because it's a time of year when I can step away from reality and immerse myself in something completely different.
It's a time when I can indulge my love of spooky things, my passion for creativity, and my desire to just have fun with it all. Whether I'm in the Czech Republic or anywhere else, Halloween has become a cherished part of my identity. It's not just a holiday - it's a whole mood.
So if you're in the same boat as me and find yourself in a place where Halloween isn't a big deal, don't despair!
You can still make it your own. Be creative, be spooky, and don't be afraid to bring a little Halloween spirit into your neighborhood.
After all, everyone deserves a little spooky fun - no matter where they are in the world.
Are you a fan of this spooky holiday? How do you experience the preparations and the process of this event?
Let me know your tips in the comments...
