When you think of October, it’s more than just about pulling out cozy sweaters and raking those fallen leaves. It’s also a time for communities across the globe to honor long-standing traditions and celebrate their cultures. From spooky festivities, harvest celebrations, and spiritual observances, October offers a glimpse into the diverse ways cultures commemorate the changing of the seasons. Let’s travel around the world to discover some of these unique October traditions, celebrating the month’s spirit of togetherness and festivity.
Germany: Oktoberfest
Originally starting in late September, Oktoberfest runs through the first weekend of October. This iconic beer festival, which takes place in Munich, has expanded into a global celebration of Bavarian culture. Attendees wear traditional Bavarian attire such as lederhosen (for men) and dirndls (for women) while indulging in hearty meals of sausages, pretzels, and roast chicken, washed down with mugs of beer brewed specifically for the occasion. The festival atmosphere is lively, with music, dancing, and carnival rides, making it a fun event that attracts visitors from all over the world.
The Philippines: MassKara Festival
The MassKara Festival is one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in the Philippines, held in Bacolod City on the island of Negros every fourth Sunday of October. Though relatively recent in origin, the festival was created in 1980 in response to a tragic boating accident that claimed the lives of over 700 people. City officials organized the celebration to lift the community’s spirits and demonstrate Bacolod’s resilience and determination to move forward. MassKara, also known as the “Festival of Smiles,” is centered on participants’ colorful, elaborately decorated smiling masks, which represent hope and positivity. Much like the Jelli M1 Mask, which allows you to protect yourself while still showing your smile, the MassKara Festival reminds us that even in challenging times, we can celebrate joyfully and safely.
Mexico: Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)
While officially celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, preparations for Día de los Muertos in Mexico begin in October. This tradition honors the spirits of deceased loved ones with joy rather than sorrow. Families set up ofrendas (altars) in their homes, decorating them with marigolds, candles, photographs, and the favorite foods and drinks of their departed relatives. Sugar skulls and colorful papel picado (perforated paper banners) are iconic holiday symbols that combine indigenous beliefs and Catholicism.
USA, Canada, UK, and Ireland: Halloween
Halloween is a widely celebrated autumn holiday, especially in North America, with the United States at the heart of the festivities. On October 31st, many children wear costumes and go door-to-door asking their neighbors for candy (known as “trick-or-treating”). Those celebrating Halloween may also carve pumpkins, light Jack-o’-Lanterns, explore DIY haunted houses, and watch horror flicks. In the United Kingdom (specifically Scotland), children also dress up in costumes known as “guising” and visit their neighbors to ask for treats. Trick-or-treating is different in the UK than in the United States; rather than just showing off their costumes, kids are often expected to perform a trick to earn their candy. Halloween celebrations are nearly 2,000 years old, with most historians believing they stem from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
As costumes are a central part of Halloween fun, the Jelli M1 Mask can be an easy addition to your costume. You can dress up as a cyberpunk enthusiast, space explorer, sci-fi doctor, or a techno DJ – get creative with it! Its sleek transparent design and comfortable fit will surely keep you safe and chic throughout your trick-or-treating adventures.
These different customs, whether somber or celebratory, remind us of the importance of community, remembrance, and cultural expression. As October progresses, no matter where you are in the world, there is always something to celebrate, whether it is the changing of the seasons or the bonds that connect us to our heritage and one another.
What are some October traditions you observe in your country?