As the leaves begin to change color and the air becomes a bit crisper, fall enthusiasts rejoice as their favorite season is finally here. While many associate the month of October with the spooky holiday that occurs on the 31st – Halloween is by no means the only holiday with which this month is synonymous. Around the country and world, countless festivals and celebrations honor deceased loved ones and are also taking place this month. From ancient rituals to fall harvest festivals, there are many other exciting opportunities to celebrate. Read along for five other exciting October celebrations, sure to have us all embracing this month!
Mid-Autumn Festival – Late September to Early October: Also known as the “Moon Festival,” this celebration is one of the most important holidays within Chinese culture, as well as other East Asian cultures such as Vietnam or Korea. Taking place on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month (usually during late September to early October), this festival celebrates the end of the harvest season. Families gather to rejoice at the end of the season by enjoying “moon cakes,” a pastry filled with delectable lotus seed paste, and admiring a stunning full moon.
Oktoberfest – Late September to Early October: A festival far more popular around the world than Halloween is the German celebration known as Oktoberfest. Held in Munich, Germany, this celebration dates to 1810. Originally held to celebrate the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig, Oktoberfest has today grown into a world-renowned event. Today, Germans around the world enjoy Bavarian music and dancing, as well as traditional treats like pretzels, bratwurst and plenty of beer. Oktoberfest is another joyous way to welcome in this cooler season.
Dia de las Muertos – October 31st – November 2nd: This multi-day Mexican celebration has ties back to Indigenous traditions. During this celebration, there is no longer a barrier between the land of the dead and the land of the living. Their spirits reunite with their former families during a festival complete with delicious food and spectacular dancing. Families create “ofrendas” which are exquisite altars decorated with candles, pictures of their loved ones and marigold flowers.
Diwali – Late October – Early November: Translated from Hindi to mean “Festival of Lights,” this five-day celebration honors India’s four major religious groups – Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists. For each group, the holiday has a different meaning. According to the USA Today article, “October Traditions around the Globe,” Hindus celebrate with a focus on the return of Lord Rama. “Diwali is associated with various legends, in particular the return of Lord Rama and his wife Sita to the ancient Indian city of Ayodhya, which is celebrated with firecrackers and the honoring of deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity and wealth.” Celebrated in most of southern Asia, the holiday is marked by family visits, fireworks, gifts and “diyas” which are “earthenware lamps lit during rituals and celebrations.”
Samhain – October 31st – Also taking place on October 31st, Samhain has roots tied to ancient Celtic paganism. Samhain celebrates the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter for Irish, Scottish and other Celtic regions. It is believed that, on October 31st, the line between the living and the spirit world is at its thinnest. Therefore, bonfires and offerings honor those who are no longer with us. According to History.com’s exploration of “Samhain,” this holiday inspired many of the Halloween traditions that take place today. “It was expected that ancestors might cross over during this time as well, and Celts would dress as animals and monsters so that fairies were not tempted to kidnap them.” This would explain why Halloween features kids of all ages dressing up, most notably in costumes featuring animals and monsters as a disguise.
