Is Halloween becoming big in the U.K.?

Halloween has always been a big deal over in America and I for one wish the U.K. went all out for the 31st October like they do but unfortunately we’re just not there yet. I do think Halloween has become a lot more popular over here in recent years though so are we finally one step closer to Halloween becoming a big thing in the U.K.?

Halloween in the U.K.

I don’t remember Halloween been a big deal when I was a kid especially not when I was really young. I’m an early 90’s child so we’re not talking too long ago (although I am well aware that it’s over 20 years ago!). As I got a little older I do remember carving a pumpkin each year and wearing a pair of those plastic vampire teeth that would always hurt the corners of your mouth. We’d always get a few trick or treaters at the house but my Dad just wasn’t in to it so we never answered the door, plus we had two dogs and the knocking we’d send them a bit loopy each time. Costumes tended to consist of either witches hats, the aforementioned vampire teeth or even a bin bag! There certainly weren’t houses decorated beyond the odd pumpkin in the window and Halloween parties weren’t a thing. I used to switch on films like Hocus Pocus and marvel at how into Halloween Americans were. Houses were elaborately decorated and Halloween was a proper holiday to be celebrated. Considering Halloween originated in Celtic countries like Scotland, Ireland and Wales why were we so bad at it compared to Americans?!

Halloween in America

Now I’m fully aware that a big part of Halloween been so big in America is commercialization. It’s another time of year to make a lot of money. Considering it didn’t even become a thing in America until the 19th century, they’ve well and truly taken the holiday and ran with it. But there’s just something really fun about the American attitude to Halloween and I wish we had that spirit (ha, pun intended) over here. Houses are decorated like it’s Christmas, pumpkin displays adorn lawns and porches and adults and kids alike fully embrace spooky season. I’m not going to lie, I’ve always looked at American Halloween celebrations and felt a little jealous.

So is Halloween becoming big in the U.K.?

I think it is! I mean we’re still a long way off having wonderfully spooky houses all decorated and I think it’ll be a while before we get to that point but I definitely think Halloween has got much bigger over here in the last few years. Shops stock a lot more Halloween stuff and I’ve even seen a few houses on our street going a bit more extra with the decorations which excites me no end. Honestly I’d love to decorate our house more on the outside but I just don’t think it’s all that accepted yet. I think my generation is definitely embracing spooky season like our American neighbours so I can definitely see Halloween heading in the same direction as it is in the U.S.A in the near future. I for one can’t wait for that to happen! Yes it is commercialized but it’s a bit of fun and it doesn’t hurt anyone so I say embrace the fun, embrace spooky season and go for it!

Do you think Halloween is becoming more popular in the U.K.? Would you like to see the U.K. embracing Halloween in the same way as Americans do? Let me know in the comments.

Pin this: