When an Italian thinks of a mask-wearing festival in Italy, the first thing that comes to mind is Carnevale. When an Italian thinks of fall celebrations, All Saints Day and All Souls Day may be what come to mind as well. There are already many well-known celebrations that take place in Italy and are deeply rooted in tradition. Recently, however, the candy-giving, trick-or-treating holiday, Halloween, which has great commercial success in the U.S., has been rising in popularity amongst younger Italian crowds. Although Halloween has its spiritually significant origins within European culture, the more commercial and candy-crunching aspect seems to be more popular in modern day western society.
In Italy, spirits are celebrated within All Soul's Day, making Halloween the time for pranks, candy and goofy behavior instead. Decorations and Halloween candy are now rising in popularity within Italy since the influence of American media brought the concept over to Italy with full force around the 1990s. Although modern Halloween carries no sort of significant meaning for those in Italy, it is still a holiday that involves doing something all Italians love: celebrating.
