Halloween, celebrated on October 31, is a holiday of Celtic origin that has transcended borders and cultures over time. In Peru, as in many other Latin American countries, this holiday has gained popularity in recent decades, adapting to the country's cultural particularities and coexisting with local traditions. Although historically not an indigenous celebration, Halloween in Peru is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in urban areas. Below, we explore how this holiday has been integrated into the daily lives of Peruvians, the customs that have arisen around it, and how it compares to the country's traditional festivities.
Origin and expansion of Halloween in Peru.
Halloween has its roots in the Celtic festival of Samhain, a celebration that marked the end of summer and the beginning of the dark season of the year. Over time, the holiday was assimilated by Christianity and became All Hallows' Eve. However, it was in the United States that Halloween took on its modern form, characterized by costumes, spooky decorations, and the famous "trick-or-treating." Through American cultural influence, especially through film, television, and globalization, Halloween has reached numerous countries, including Peru.
In Peru, Halloween began to be celebrated more visibly in the 1980s, when it became popular in schools and social clubs. Although it was initially seen as an "imported holiday", its playful and festive nature made it attractive, especially for young people and children. Today, Halloween is one of the most anticipated dates of the year, particularly in urban areas of the country, such as Lima, Arequipa, and Trujillo, where a wide variety of events and activities are organized for all ages.
Costumes and theme parties.
One of the highlights of Halloween in Peru is the use of costumes. From the more traditional ones, such as witches, vampires and ghosts, to movie characters, superheroes and figures from popular culture, costumes play a central role in the celebration. Stores specializing in costumes and accessories see a significant increase in sales during the month of October, and many people spend weeks planning their perfect outfit for the parties and events that are organized.
Nightclubs and bars in Peru's main cities also take advantage of Halloween to organize themed parties. These events usually include costume contests, live music, and an atmosphere decorated with pumpkins, spiderwebs, and dim lights to recreate the spooky aesthetic associated with the holiday. Halloween parties for adults are usually very popular, attracting people looking to enjoy a different night out of the ordinary.
In addition, in recent years there has been a growing custom of organizing community events in condominiums and residential neighborhoods. Entire families dress up and participate in activities such as trick-or-treating, where children go around the neighborhood collecting candy. This tradition, although directly inspired by the American model, has become an important part of how Halloween is lived in Peru.
Sweets and decorations.
Trick or treat is a tradition that has been well received by Peruvian children. More and more families are participating in this activity, decorating their houses with pumpkins, skeletons and spooky lights to welcome children in search of candy. Residential areas and gated communities are usually the most suitable places for this activity, as they guarantee greater security and a festive atmosphere.
As for sweets, shops and supermarkets offer a wide variety of themed products, from skull-shaped chocolates to candies wrapped in paper decorated with ghosts and witches. This is one of the times of the year when candy sales increase considerably, and both small businesses and large supermarket chains launch special promotions to take advantage of the demand.
Halloween vs. Creole Song Day.
A peculiarity of how Halloween is celebrated in Peru is that it shares a date with a national holiday: Día de la Canción Criolla, which is also celebrated on October 31. This is a celebration that pays tribute to Creole music, a traditional genre that mixes Spanish, African and indigenous influences, and which is an integral part of Peruvian cultural identity. During Día de la Canción Criolla, concerts, gatherings and family gatherings are organized where Creole music is performed and typical dishes are tasted.
The coexistence of these two celebrations has sparked debates about the possible loss of local traditions in the face of foreign influence. Some critics argue that the growing popularity of Halloween could overshadow the importance of Día de la Canción Criolla, especially among younger generations. However, many people in Peru view both festivities as complementary, and it is not uncommon to find families celebrating both on the same day, starting with a family gathering in honor of Creole music and then attending Halloween parties in the evening.
Cultural adaptations.
Although Halloween in Peru follows the American model in many ways, it has also developed its own particularities. In some rural areas and traditional communities, for example, elements of Halloween are mixed with local beliefs about death and the afterlife. This is especially visible in the Andean regions, where the dead are honored with offerings of food, drink, and music, creating a fusion between Halloween and All Saints' Day traditions.
In addition, in some areas of the country, Halloween coincides with the All Saints' Day and Day of the Dead festivities, dates on which Peruvian families usually visit cemeteries to honor their deceased loved ones. Although these traditions are different from Halloween, they share the common theme of the relationship with the dead and the afterlife, which has allowed some communities to adapt Halloween to their own customs.
Controversies and social acceptance.
Despite the popularity of Halloween in Peru, the holiday is not without controversy. Some sectors of society, especially those with more conservative religious roots, criticize the celebration of Halloween as a pagan holiday alien to Christian traditions. These critics often argue that Halloween promotes the occult and distracts people from the religious festivities of All Saints' Day.
However, Halloween has generally been well received by most Peruvians, especially in the cities. For many people, the holiday is simply an opportunity to have fun, dress up and enjoy a different night, without any deep religious or cultural implications. In addition, globalization and the growing influence of international media have made Halloween perceived as a modern and cosmopolitan celebration.
Halloween in Peru is a mix of imported traditions and local customs that reflects the country's ability to adapt to foreign influences without losing its cultural identity. Although it is a holiday that is still relatively new compared to other Peruvian traditions, Halloween has found a place in people's hearts, especially in urban areas. Whether through costumes, theme parties or simply collecting candy, Halloween has managed to establish itself as one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year in Peru, coexisting with the Day of the Creole Song and the traditions of All Saints' Day.
Halloween in Peru will undoubtedly continue to evolve, adapting to new generations and finding its own way into the country's rich and diverse culture.