The spooky season is almost here, and there’s no better way to honor it than with a trip to a place primed and ready to celebrate ghosts and goblins. Now’s the time to lean into sweater season, the changing leaves, and all things pumpkin—both flavored and decor related. And don’t worry—just because it’s Halloween doesn’t mean you always need to be in for a fright. Here are 13 spooky and fun places to visit for Halloween around the globe.

Salem, Massachusetts

It’s almost impossible to separate Salem from Halloween. The coastal Massachusetts community was the site of the Salem Witch Trials, beginning in 1692, which led to the hanging of 19 men and women. It’s a place where the air is thick with spirits, but around Halloween, it’s a destination filled with merriment too. Each October, the town puts on Salem Haunted Happenings, which includes a parade, film nights, a costume ball, and more, and you’re all invited to join.

London, England

London has all the historical trappings needed for an epic Halloween season. It’s a place brimming with ghost stories, and the best spot to experience this to the fullest is the Tower of London. It was here that several notable figures were put to death, including Anne Boleyn, the former Queen of England and second wife of Henry VIII, who is said to still roam the halls. Visitors can tour the Tower of London any time of year, but it has that extra spooky feeling in October. Consider a Twilight Tour for an eerie vibe.

Boyne Valley, Ireland

What better place to celebrate Halloween than in the place where it began? As History.com explains, the Halloween tradition began with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. At the time of its origin, people would wear costumes to ward off ghosts, which means not much has changed (though we’re sure they didn’t have allegiances to different candy at the time). Now, Ireland celebrates with festivals throughout the month of October, including the Púca Halloween Festival, which honors the Celtic new year with music, art, and plenty of sweet treats.

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities are serious business in Oaxaca. Although it’s a festival for the dead, it’s by no means a horror show. The event honors those who’ve passed from this world to the next and is a way to keep their spirit alive today. The celebration takes place over two days, with families decorating the graves of their deceased loved ones and crafting ornate altars at home to further honor them. Travelers can join the revelry in the form of parades and parties throughout the town of San Miguel de Allende, which keeps the festivities going through November 2.

Transylvania, Romania

As the home of Count Dracula, Transylvania has a lot to live up to during the Halloween season, but it more than delivers. Travelers to Transylvania can visit Bran Castle, the home of the mythical count, which is open every day for tours. The castle even hosts a yearly Halloween bash that includes a nighttime tour, a party, and an open bar.

New Orleans, Louisiana

New Orleans is a town renowned for its revelry. Its Mardi Gras celebrations are second to none, but its Halloween parties are equally impressive. In October, the city busts out its decorations and its best costumes for parades and parties galore. Don’t miss the ghost tours in the French Quarter to send a few shivers down your spine before joining the festivities.

Paris, France

Looking for a Halloween event that’s très chic? Head to Paris. The City of Lights may not be the place for typical trick-or-treat crowds, but you will find La Toussaint, or All Saints’ Day, a day to remember friends and family who have passed, which is both a national and Catholic holiday. Families take this day to honor their loved ones by visiting their graves and placing flowers on top. Light-hearted events throughout the city include parties at Disneyland Paris and Le Manoir de Paris, arguably the biggest and coolest haunted house in Europe.

Scotland

Scotland, like Ireland, has strong ties to Halloween’s past. The name Halloween comes from the Scottish shortening of “All Hallows’ Eve.” You can certainly attend numerous events to honor the day, but for a longer journey, explore the nation’s Ghost Trail, a map of 15 locations considered to be some of the most haunted spots on the planet. End the tour at the Samhuinn Fire Festival in Edinburgh for a delightful conclusion.

Venice and Borgo a Mozzano, Italy

Italy isn’t precisely a Halloween-crazed nation, but one place you’ll find ghoulish fun is in Venice. It’s also a destination well-known among the ghost hunting circuit, especially on the island Poveglia. The island once served as a quarantine zone for people suffering from the plague and later an insane asylum in the early 20th century, making it a hub for paranormal activity. For parties, you’ll need to head to Borgo a Mozzano, just north of Lucca, where a massive annual Halloween bash takes place on the appropriately named Devil’s Bridge.

Hong Kong

Hong Kong loves a good party, and Halloween is no exception. Like other destinations on this list, it’s not a place where you’ll find trick-or-treaters on the street, but you will find festive events nonetheless, especially at Hong Kong Disneyland, which competes with its global counterparts during the season. Hong Kong’s other theme park, Ocean Park, also hosts an annual bash that’s not to be missed, and you’ll typically find a plethora of happenings in Lan Kwai Fong, the city’s famed party district.

Savannah, Georgia

Savannah, Georgia, is the place to go in the U.S. if you want to be almost guaranteed a ghost sighting. The southern city is brimming with ghost stories thanks to haunted hotels, buildings, bars, and more, which can all be experienced through its plentiful ghost tours. Because of its connection to the spirits, Savannah is a stellar place to go for epic trick-or-treating for kids and parties for adults. Stay up-to-date on yearly happenings by checking the city’s event listings here.

Prague, Czech Republic

Halloween is quickly becoming more popular in Prague due to the growing expat community. Though you’ll only find a very sparse trick-or-treating scene, it’s a place filled with gothic architecture that feels both utterly romantic and absolutely spooky all at once. The city is also home to a torture museum, which is far more terrifying to visit than any fake haunted house in your hometown.

Brussels, Belgium

Brussels may not have a long history with Halloween, but it has dedicated itself to becoming a Halloween hotspot in recent years. The city hosts parades in Saint-Gilles, and many bars and restaurants hold their own gatherings. None, however, are as spooky as Le Cercueil, which means “coffins” in French. This bar is spooky year-round, where visitors can toast over tables made from coffins, some of which have clear plexiglass to reveal skeletons inside.