Halloween's already here! Check out 2024 celebrations from around the world -

Spooky season is upon us, and Halloween festivities are in full swing! From vibrant parades to exciting themed runs, communities around the globe are embracing the spirit of this haunting holiday. Cities like Mexico City and Tokyo host elaborate parades featuring creative costumes, while fun runs, such as the Monster Dash 5K in California, add a festive twist to fitness. Additionally, New York City's annual Halloween Dog Parade delights crowds with adorable pups dressed in imaginative costumes.

Curious? Click on to explore the diverse and exciting ways people are celebrating Halloween in 2024!

© Reuters

Trick-or-treat at the Whitehouse -

Ahead of the upcoming election, the president and his wife hosted a trick-or-treat event at the elaborately decorated White House on October 30. Inviting children from local schools and military families, President Joe Biden took up the annual tradition by handing out books and chocolates—and First Lady Jill Biden even dressed as a giant panda!

© Getty Images

Taking blood in Bangkok -

Normally it’s vampires who take people's blood at Halloween, but this year it was the staff at the National Blood Center in Bangkok, Thailand. Seeing an opportunity to increase donations, the Center organized a Halloween-themed blood drive and had staff dress up as zombie nuns and brides as they took some very brave patients' blood.

© Getty Images

Illegal cosplay in Shanghai -

Despite the Chinese government cracking down on Halloween celebrations, crowds of people dressed as ghosts and zombie brides took to the streets of Shanghai on October 27 for Halloween Cosplay. Authorities officially banned decorations and costumes that could depict violence or display any type of political message, but this didn’t stop people from using the opportunity to make a statement with costumes including a light-up Jesus, Donald Trump in a communist scarf, and even an appearance from Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin.

© Getty Images

Rebellious Pumpkins in Poland -

Poland is another place where Halloween celebrations are not encouraged. Most people celebrate All Saints’ Day instead, and the government has even tried to stop celebrations in schools. However, on October 30, the students at Gdansk University of Technology decided to let the government know exactly how they felt with these carved pumpkins on the school steps.

© Shutterstock

A giant newt takes to the streets -

A 20-meter-long (65 ft) puppet of a giant newt named Alf is showcased in a parade through the streets of Galway, Ireland, on October 27. This Halloween event, called Alf's Journey, highlighted issues of climate change and habitat loss.

© Reuters

Zombies take over La Paz -

On October 26, participants in La Paz, Bolivia, joined a thrilling zombie walk to kick off the Halloween festivities.

© Reuters

A running pumpkin -

A runner dons an inflatable pumpkin costume as she makes her way along Avenida Del Mar in San Clemente, California, at the Monster Dash 5K on October 26.

© Getty Images

Paddle in costume -

Participants navigate the Rackevei-Duna in Szigetszentmiklos, Hungary, during a Halloween stand-up paddleboarding tour on October 27.

© Reuters

Zombie express -

Ahead of Halloween, people dressed as zombies performed inside a bullet train traveling from Tokyo to Osaka on October 19. Inspired by the South Korean movie 'Train to Busan' (2016), the event brought a chilling experience to Japan's high-speed rail.

© Reuters

Pumpkin regatta -

Competitors paddle in giant hollowed-out pumpkins during the annual pumpkin regatta in Kasterlee, Belgium, on October 27. This quirky event brings together participants for a lighthearted race on the water.

© Reuters

Seeing double -

Two participants join the Newquay Zombie Crawl on October 26, in Newquay, Cornwall, England. This annual Halloween-themed event draws hundreds of revelers, all eager to take part in the spooky walk.

© Getty Images

Furry frights -

A dog dressed in a festive Halloween costume takes part in a pet costume competition in Lima, Peru, on October 25.

© Reuters

Spidey surfers -

Surfers donned costumes and braved the foggy waters of Newport Beach, California, on October 26. The event is part of an annual tradition of surfing in costume on the last Saturday before Halloween.

© Getty Images

Halloween lights -

A child poses beside a glowing installation during a preview of the Halloween light trail at Kew Gardens in London, England, on October 17.

© Reuters

A little zombie -

A child dressed as a zombie participates in the Zombie Walk in Santiago, Chile, on October 20. This fun-filled event draws participants of all ages to embrace the spooky spirit of the season.

© Reuters

Cool cat -

A cat dressed in a surfer-inspired costume joins the fun at the Sunnyvale Pet Parade contest in Sunnyvale, California, on October 27.

© Getty Images

Ghostly gatherings -

People dressed as phantoms strike a pose for photos during the pumpkin festival at Parque Fundidora in Monterrey, Mexico, on October 25.

© Getty Images

Ready for the Zombie Crawl -

A group of children poses for a photograph before joining the Newquay Zombie Crawl on October 26. Their spooky costumes are definitely Halloween appropriate.

© Getty Images

A whimsical event -

Boats made from giant pumpkins glide down the Piscataquog River during the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off and Regatta in Goffstown, New Hampshire, on October 20.

© Getty Images

Mixing cultural traditions -

A woman dressed as La Catrina, a Mexican figure symbolizing death, participates in the Zombie March in Mexico City on October 19. Her striking costume pays homage to the Day of the Dead.

© Getty Images

Halloween at the shopping center -

Performers dressed in Halloween-themed costumes paraded through a shopping center in Shenyang, China, on October 26.

© Getty Images

Furry inmate -

An adorable dog dressed as a prisoner walks in the Halloween Dog Parade in New York City, on October 19.

© Reuters

A little scary clown -

A young girl dressed as a character from 'It' poses during the Zombie March in Mexico City on October 19.

© Getty Images

Racing lobster -

A runner sports a hilarious inflatable lobster costume while blowing bubbles near the finish line of the Monster Dash 5K on October 26.

© Getty Images

Star paws -

Louie, a cute Shih Tzu dressed as an Ewok, poses with his owners, decked out as Han Solo and Princess Leia from 'Star Wars,' before the Halloween Dog Parade in New York City.

© Reuters

Zombie Mickey takes the streets -

A man dressed as a zombie Mickey Mouse joins the Zombie Walk in Santiago, Chile, on October 20.

© Reuters

Scary cheerleader -

An actor dressed as a zombie cheerleader performs at Parque Warner Madrid during the Halloween season on October 27.

© Getty Images

Hello Kitty spooks up Santiago -

A man and a child watch as a participant dressed as Hello Kitty walks by during the Zombie Walk in Santiago, Chile, on October 20.

© Reuters

Howl'oween -

Dogs dressed in Halloween costumes, many matching their owners, took part in the Bentway Howl'oween Festival in Toronto, Canada, on October 26.

© Getty Images

Ronald McDonald and Colonel Sanders -

Participants dressed like Ronald McDonald and Colonel Sanders pose during the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival on October 26, 2024, in Tokyo, Japan.

© Getty Images

Autumn frights -

An actor dressed as a scarecrow performs during the Trick or Treat Party Parade at Parque Warner Madrid on October 27.

© Getty Images

Paws on Halloween -

Dogs in cute Halloween costumes take part in a pet costume competition in Lima, Peru, on October 25.

© Reuters

Cosplay enthusiasts -

Participants strike a pose for photographs during the Ikebukuro Halloween Cosplay Festival in Tokyo, Japan.

© Getty Images

Zombie bride -

An actor dressed as a zombie bride performs at Parque Warner Madrid during the Halloween season on October 27.

Sources: (Reuters) (Getty Images) 

See also: The most popular Halloween costumes from each decade

© Getty Images