Ranked: Europe’s best party cities for a Halloween night out

Halloween falling on a Saturday in 2026 means plenty of us will be keen to make the most of the spooky holiday, even travelling abroad to celebrate it.

Now, a new ranking has revealed the best party places to experience All Hallows’ Eve across the globe.

Travel experts at Adventure360 analysed some 113 cities worldwide to uncover where travellers can find the biggest Halloween celebrations this year.

Each individual city was scored on the number of Halloween events happening between 30 October and 1 November, as well as the size of its nightlife offering and late-night restaurant scene.

The safety of the city was examined, too, and the report noted whether or not the destination hosts a signature Halloween or Day of the Dead event. In the end, each city was given a score out of 100.

In first place was New York, with a score of 91.1 out of 100, and it was followed by another US city, Chicago, which got a score of 80.1.

In terms of countries, the US had the most showings in the top 10, with New Orleans coming in at number nine but, continent-wise, Europe was revealed to be far and away the best Halloween destination, with five spots on the list.

Edinburgh is in third place, thanks in part to its legendary Samhuinn Fire festival, while Dublin follows close behind, partially because of its Bram Stoker festival.

Madrid, London and Prague also feature in the top 10, despite none of them actually offering a signature Halloween event; they’re just that spooky!

Within the Halloween top 20, other European cities included Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Budapest, and Lisbon

The world’s best Halloween party cities 2026

How the cities rank out of a score of 100, according to the Adventure360 study:

1. New York, USA – 91.1/100
2. Chicago, USA – 80.1/100
3. Edinburgh, UK – 79.2/100
4. Dublin, Ireland – 73.0/100
5. Tokyo, Japan – 72.3/100
6. Mexico City, Mexico – 71.8/100
7. Madrid, Spain – 70.7/100
8. London, UK – 69.6/100
9. New Orleans, USA – 69.2/100
10. Prague, Czechia – 69.0/100
11. Rome, Italy – 68.6/100
12. Berlin, Germany – 67.4/100
13. Amsterdam, Netherlands – 66.7/100
14. Osaka, Japan – 66.4/100
15. Barcelona, Spain – 65.6/100
16. Washington D.C., USA – 65.5/100
17. Dubai, UAE – 65.4/100
18. Budapest, Hungary – 65.4/100
19. Sydney, Australia – 64.3/100
20. Lisbon, Portugal – 64.1/100

Europe’s top five cities for Halloween parties

Following the ranking, these are the five best cities to spend Halloween in Europe this year – and the reasons why.

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Scotland’s capital Edinburgh may only have a relatively small number of nightlife venues and late-night restaurants, but it boasts plenty of Halloween-themed events, not least the Samhuinn Fire festival.

The event brings a dramatic twist to Halloween, with Calton Hill transformed by fire, drumming, acrobatics and elaborate costumes.

Taking place on 31 October, the event reimagines ancient Celtic traditions marking the end of summer and the arrival of winter, with performers acting out the battle between the Summer King and Winter Queen.

Dublin, Ireland

Dublin has just seven Halloween-themed events – one of the lowest amounts in the top 10 – but it makes up for it with its legendary Bram Stoker festival.

This year, the celebration of the city’s Gothic heritage will take place from 23-26 October, with four days of spooky events inspired by the author of Dracula.

Expect haunted walking tours, horror theatre, candlelit library visits and a spectacular parade. There’s family-friendly fun, too, including Stokerland, a free gothic-themed park at St Patrick’s Park.

Madrid, Spain

Madrid may not have one big signature Halloween celebration, but there’s plenty to get stuck into.

For a dose of horror, head to MADHORROR at IFEMA Madrid, running from 30 October to 2 November, with haunted houses, horror films, gaming and comic-book events.

After dark, join a ghost and legends walking tour through the old town, or head to Malasaña for costume parties and late-night drinks and eats.

London, United Kingdom

Although England’s capital doesn’t have a signature Halloween event, it does have some 22 themed happenings, as well as more than 1,000 nightlife venues and 2,600 late-night restaurants, which is the highest number in the top 10.

Head to Kew Gardens for its illuminated Halloween trail, featuring Dracula’s Lair, live performers and a Headless Horseman, or explore the capital’s darker history on a Jack the Ripper walking tour.

For something quirky, the London Transport Museum is holding a Halloween silent disco among its historic trains and buses.

Prague, Czechia

Prague’s Gothic streets make a fitting backdrop for Halloween, with plenty of ways to get into the spooky spirit.

While the Czech capital doesn’t have a signature event, Wonderland Halloween takes over the historic Lucerna Great Hall on 30 October for a night of elaborate costumes, live performances, DJs and theatrical decorations.

For something more low-key, join a ghost tour through the Old Town’s narrow lanes and medieval underground passages, where guides share tales of murder, alchemy and restless spirits.

On 30 October and on Halloween night itself, the legendary five-floor nightclub Karlovy Lázně will play host to its annual Wicked Weekend event.

Read the full article here