In Japan, Halloween celebrations have been helped by the popularity of the special events at Tokyo Disney Resort.
About 10 years ago, it was just Mickey and a few characters in costume waving to guests at Tokyo Disneyland. Now, it is a 52-day event with decorations, parades, stage shows, guests in costumes, tons of merchandise in BOTH Tokyo Disney theme parks.
In my corner of Australia, this was the most Halloweenish spirit I’ve seen. We had a big celebration at a local pub, almost eveyone dressed up, great fun. Then, after a few drinks, I staggered down to a more conservative pub, and was greeted with looks of shock and alarm. Some patrons (mostly old, ‘g’day mate!’ types) lectured me that I shouldn’t celebrate it because it’s American. But I think it’s growing among young Aussies.
I echo Scougs post (#86) about the way things were in Scotland in the 60s & 70s
This year we hardly saw any halloween activity - except for a big pagan procession/celebration with maybe a hundred participants all dressed in wonderful costumes, who paraded from the Castle down to Parliament Square (about 1/4 mile) where they had a stage and lights and flares and so on where they saw in the new season with dancing and ceremonial enactments of battles between various spirits and forces.
Huge crowd, some in fancy dress, who thoroughly enjoyed it all…
I’ve been wondering if Halloween is popular in France now, after seeing pictures of pumpkins on sale in Paris, labeled as “Jack Off Lanternes.”
