Is Halloween celebrated in Italy?

Yes, Halloween is celebrated in Italy, though it is a newer tradition compared to the older Giorno dei Morti. It includes costume parties, events, and trick-or-treating, especially in larger cities and tourist areas.

What are the main Halloween events in Italy?

Major Halloween events take place in Corinaldo with its Festa delle Streghe, in Triora (Liguria), and at Villa Reale di Marlia in Tuscany. These events mix music, performances, markets, and costume parades.

What is the difference between Halloween and Giorno dei Morti in Italy?

Halloween is a recent, playful celebration with costumes and parties, while Giorno dei Morti (Day of the Dead) is a solemn religious tradition where Italians honor deceased loved ones with prayers, flowers, and visits to cemeteries.

When did Halloween become popular in Italy?

Halloween became popular in Italy in the 1990s and early 2000s through global media, tourism, and commercial events. It has since spread widely among younger generations.

Halloween in Italy (2025 Guide): History, Traditions & Events

Halloween has changed a lot in Italy. The old traditions around Giorno dei Morti (Day of the Dead, November 2) used to be more about region and remembrance. Homes, churches, and cemeteries played the main role. In recent years, the English word Halloween and all that comes with it (costumes, pumpkins, parties) has become more popular and events are now held in many towns. This article shows how the tradition has shifted. You’ll learn what old customs were, when and how Halloween arrived, and where it is most celebrated.

👉 For more on Italian culture and public life, see our article: Italian Etiquette Guide.

Old Traditions: Giorno dei Morti and Ognissanti

November 1 (Ognissanti, All Saints Day) and November 2 (Giorno dei Morti, Day of the Dead) have long been major religious holidays in Italy.
Families visit the graves of deceased relatives. They clean tombstones, leave flowers, pray.
Special foods are prepared in some regions, such as Pan dei Morti, a sweet bread or biscuit eaten during this period.
In rural areas, there were rituals of remembrance: lighting candles, preparing small offerings, going to church. The tone is solemn and quiet.

When Halloween Arrived & How

Halloween (October 31) is originally from the Celtic tradition.
Over the past two or three decades, the holiday spread in Italy because of media, globalisation and pop culture.
Shops started selling decorations, costume parties for children appeared. Schools and malls organize “dolcetto o scherzetto” (trick-or-treat) events.
Many Italians still prefer to observe religious celebrations of All Saints Day and Day of the Dead, but Halloween is now associated with fun, costumes, and public events.

Custom Today: How People Celebrate Halloween

Here’s what Halloween looks like in Italy now:

Children dressing in costumes and going out in the evening asking for sweets (“dolcetto o scherzetto”), especially in large cities.
Parties and themed nights in bars, clubs, and restaurants.
Events in historic towns, with haunted houses, flashlight tours, decorations.
Pumpkin carving, pumpkin lanterns, spooky decorations become common.

Major Halloween Events in Italy

Italy has several standout celebrations:

Corinaldo — La Festa delle Streghe (Festival of the Witches). In Le Marche, Corinaldo transforms into a fantasy setting with artistic displays, markets, concerts, and a “Miss Strega” (Miss Witch) contest. It’s one of the most famous Halloween events in Italy.

👉 Read our full guide to Corinaldo’s Halloween: Festa delle Streghe.

Villa Reale di Marlia — Halloween Celebration Carnival (Tuscany). A large festival with shows, street art, parades, street food, haunted attractions, running through late evening.
Triora (Liguria) — Witch City Celebration. Known as a “town of witches,” Triora celebrates with markets, costume walks, haunted history tours.

Cultural Tensions & Acceptance

Some people view Halloween as an imported or “commercial” tradition, not true to Italian customs.
Others embrace it, especially young people, families in cities, and tourism-oriented towns.
Religious groups sometimes criticize it as conflicting with traditions around remembrance.
Municipalities and organizers often need permits, safety measures, especially for large public events.

Key Takeaways

Italy’s older customs around remembering the dead (Ognissanti, Giorno dei Morti) are rooted in solemn religious ritual and family remembrance.
Halloween is newer. It arrived with global culture, media, and changing tastes.
Today Halloween in Italy is mixed: costumes, fun events, but combined with older traditions of remembrance.
Corinaldo stands out as a strong example: a town that blends old charm and modern Halloween spectacle.
Regional differences matter: rural vs urban, north vs south, conservative vs tourist-friendly areas.