Halloween in Sri Lanka

It’s Spooky Season. Want to celebrate Halloween in Sri Lanka? No worries, here’s everything you need to know.
First things first. Is Halloween a thing in Sri Lanka? Not really, no. We don’t celebrate the holiday on the same scale as many western countries like America. Would have been fun to celebrate as a kid? Of course! Hello, free candy and dressing up! What could be MORE fun to a kid than free candy in. Any. Situation?

Did I celebrate? Nope. Halloween was definitely not a thing in Sri Lanka back when I was a kid. But it’s become a trendy event in recent years. The entire island still doesn’t get into the spirit of things. But a few bars and pubs in Colombo do host events come October.

Why do we not celebrate Halloween in Sri Lanka?

An excellent question. The answer is simple, really. Halloween has its roots in Samhain, a pagan religious festival. The Celtic people of Western and Central Europe were the ones who celebrated the event originally. The Christian celebration that we now know today still calls back to this ancient festival. However, the Celts and their traditions rarely influenced ancient Sri Lanka. Our culture developed separately and echoes those observed in India. Eventually, Sri Lanka became a melting pot of different cultures, traditions, religions, and so on. And we do celebrate most major religious festivals of Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus and Christians. Halloween was just not something that we picked up, though. To be fair, I don’t think most countries celebrate it on quite the same scale as the US. At least we are catching up?

Where to celebrate Halloween in Colombo this year?

Colombo is usually the fastest Sri Lankan city to adapt traditions from other cultures and religions. While the event would still be the same at its core, the city gives it a unique Sri Lankan flavour.

If you want to get dressed up as a sexy zombie or spooky vampire for Halloween in Sri Lanka, the city is your best bet. Just keep an eye out for Sri Lankan ghosts and spooks as well.

Want to indulge in Colombo's nightlife?

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