How to celebrate Halloween in London and everything else you ever wanted to know

Halloween in London is huge

Halloween in London is huge. In England people follow by the example set in recent decades by the North Americans. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes, carving jack-o'-lanterns, visiting haunted attractions and watching horror films. Halloween in London is fascinating for children and adults alike. Trick or treating is widely enjoyed by children who dress up and wonder round in their mischievous gaggles. Adults enjoy dressing up in a grotesque splendour at some of the capitals most spectacular and often historic venues.

Planning a wicked and suitably macabre Halloween in London often conjures up images of American style trick or treaters. This is thanks to the wealth of American horror films that have been released in cinemas worldwide at this time of year ever since the 1970's. They have provided us with familiar trick or treat protocol and our modern consciousness is familiar with the chilling scenes and weird, haunting characters. They are what tend to act as the most popular source of inspiration for our own fancy dress costumes and themed parties when Halloween in London approaches each year.

Alternatively, if we trace the event back to its ancient and religious origin - the Celtic festival of Samhain - we learn that it's not all blood and guts. Samhain was significant because it marked the passing from the lighter half' to the darker half' of the year. It gave people the chance to honour the spirits of their dead ancestors and stock up on supplies for the coming winter. One of the most popular things to do was to guard off evil by wearing wicked costumes and masks. To celebrate Halloween in London one could visit plentiful farmers markets, such as the historical Borough Market at London Bridge, and buy winter vegetables to carve ready for the festival. In reference to the Celts it is not unheard of for more arty venues to have a Pagan theme.

England has a rich and unique heritage that has endured the ages and can be seen in many of the majestic but often eerie sites of historic significance. It is a common assumption of us Brits that this is what lures over the hoards of overseas tourists and Halloween in London is no different. Whilst it would be impossible to compete with the inexhaustible source of inspiration provided by American cinema, Halloween in London is never overshadowed by celebrations in the United States. London is home to sites with a history of torture and suffering where kings and queens have imprisoned their enemies. Halloween in London is sure to provide a frightening but also culturally rich experience.

How to celebrate Halloween in London and everything else you ever wanted to know

By: Charlotte Rivington

POST COMMENT

Fun Pettiskirts For The Holidays Coping With Christmas And The Fear Season 3 Sure Fire Methods To Master The Rhythm And Flow Of The American Accent How To Learn French In 5 Minutes For Free Relaxation and Spa Treatments American Bulldog And Arthritis New York's Cobblestone Country Reasons That People Support The September 11 Holiday Observance Holiday in Seoul? Where? What? American Bulldog And Ear Infections Start Learning How to Speak French Cataract In American Bulldog London Fashion Week: Runway Rundown