Scary but beautiful holiday in Texas

Halloween at the Lone Star State

Berkel en Rodenrijs – October 8, 2019: “Trick or treat”: What once began as a folk custom in Ireland has become popular with party lovers since the 1990s – Halloween is particularly popular in the USA and is celebrated in the most colourful variations. So why not go on a ghost tour, visit a funeral museum or enjoy a parade in honour of the dead? In Texas the holiday is a special event, because the inhabitants dig deep into the creepy box …

Ghost tour through Galveston

The history of Galveston is based on murder, cannibalism, pirates and mysterious incidents – ideal for giving visitors a gruesome tour of the dark past. A ghost guide guides the guests through the alleys, sights and historic buildings all year round – the right horror story is always at hand. Whether a visit to the attic of the Sealy Mansion, where children perform an creepy theatre, or a guided tour through the Durst House, where a cruel murder once took place – here a shiver rans down everyone´s spine … Those who still can’t get enough should join a Red Light District tour, which brings the scandalous history of the biggest red light district of the United States to life.

The Houston Funeral Museum

Houston is the perfect place for history lovers and creepy lovers. Visitors of the National Museum of Funeral History not only travel to the world of coffins, hearses and funeral artifacts on Halloween, but also have a permanent exhibition of funeral rituals from all over the world throughout the year. Whether popes, presidents, soldiers or famous personalities – the museum informs about different burial forms of the own and foreign cultures, amongst others the history of the embalming rituals in ancient Egypt. The exhibition is illustrated with artefacts, some of which are centuries old – for example, visitors can take a look at the original funeral plan of US President Truman and the death mask of the well-known civil war general Robert Edward Lee.

Celebrating with the dead in Austin

What in this country is regarded as All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day is the Día de los Muertos for the Mexicans – the Day of the Dead. According to old Mexican tradition, this important holiday is not held as a sad day, but rather as a rushing celebration in honour of the deceased. Colourful parades with costumed participants, grand street parties and even a celebration in the cemetery belong to it. On October 26, the Mexic Arte Art Museum in Austin revives the Mexican tradition with the 36th Viva la Vida Festival. A procession along Congress Avenue and a street festival in the city centre with live music, performances and traditional dishes await the guests.