Italy, with its charming villages and countless castles, scattered from North to South, is full of destinations to celebrate this ‘imported’ holiday.
Halloween is increasingly appreciated by Italians so let's see how Italians celebrate it and what the origins of this holiday are.
In Liguria we have many offers for this period.
Villa Grock transforms into the scary world of Halloween, offering a charming yet playful location to fully experience the festive atmosphere and, on this special evening of October 31st, it opens its doors in an extraordinary way, welcoming children dressed up in the fascinating rooms of the mansion. In a magical place like the villa created by the great circus artist Grock, children are involved in a mysterious journey, discovering sweets, tricks, and hidden creatures such as monsters and witches. And for adults who want to enjoy the evening, an exceptional evening visit is planned too.
A day of pure fun and fear is organized in Noli, a colorful and picturesque village on the coast, thanks to the initiative of the municipality which always organizes a special event for Halloween with face painting, music and scary storytelling.
Halloween at the Lanterna of Genoa is a masked event, designed for children but able to fascinate adults as well, an occasion to learn the history of the lighthouse and get to know the most important monuments of the city. A nursery rhyme introduces the visit that, along the walk that leads to the Lanterna, entertains with games and curiosities about the symbol of Genoa and the port, to tell participants the main events of its long history.
One of the traditional destinations, and always fascinating especially in this period, where to go for Halloween with children is definitely Triora, in Liguria, also known as “The Village of Witches” or “the Salem of Europe.”
The Ligurian castle organized an evening with dinner and a night visit to the rooms of the manor for October 31st.
During the witches' night, adults and children can participate in a scary walk in the woods and around the castle, followed by a delicious dinner in the medieval tavern.
Those who love Halloween the most are families with small children and young people and although most Italian people celebrate it at home with a themed dinner or going to a bar, especially young people, some choose interesting and fun activities which may combine fun for children and entertainment for adults.
For Halloween Italian families buy sweets, snacks and pastries at the supermarket and some also decorate their houses although the ‘Trick or Treat?’ door to door does not exist.
The Halloween party has its roots in the Celtic festival Samhain of pagan Ireland. Samhain was the equivalent of New Year's Eve, which for the Celts fell on November 1st, a day that marked the end of the summer, the harvest and the beginning of the dark and cold winter.
Storytelling at the castle is a way to promote Halloween while learning about paganism and historical facts
Halloween may have entered Italian culture less than two decades ago but I think it is fully integrated now. Although the elderly still look at it with criticism, it has become an (commercial for sure) occasion to gather people of different ages and have fun the day before commemorating the dead.
I like how Italy has combined the ludic aspect of the celebration with the more serious and historical aspect. Halloween has also become an occasion to open the doors to some castles, villas and venues that otherwise would remain close to the public most of the year and even its commercial side has become an useful way to support the maintenance of these beautiful and historical locations.
