Once a niche import celebration, Halloween is progressively becoming a visible part of autumn in the Netherlands. From large-scale parties in Amsterdam and Rotterdam to pumpkin picking and carving events, the holiday is gaining traction, even as overall participation among Dutch residents remains relatively low.
Urban Celebrations on the Rise
Amsterdam and Rotterdam host the largest registered Halloween parties in the Netherlands this year, with venues like Westweelde and Maassilo offering space for approximately 2000 and 3000 attendees, respectively. Beyond these large-scale events, nearly every major Dutch city hosts its own seasonal celebrations, from themed parties to pumpkin carving workshops, making Halloween increasingly visible and accessible to both locals and internationals.
Other major Dutch cities embrace the occasion with smaller community events such as haunted houses or ghost tours. In Utrecht, for example, the Haunted Walk of Domtoren (30–31 October, 2025), invites visitors to explore the city’s historic tower with a scary twist. Meanwhile, neighbourhoods across the country take part in children’s activities and home decorations, adding to the growing visibility of Halloween in local communities. This trend is especially visible in urban neighbourhoods where houses and gardens are growingly decked out in seasonal displays. According to Motivaction, 43% of people prefer to celebrate spooky season at home, spending an average of 37 euros on preparations.
Photo Credits: Javier Molina
Pumpkins, Products and Profits
Although Halloween in the Netherlands still lacks the deep cultural roots it holds in other countries, the celebration continues to gain momentum, particularly in larger cities with a larger international population. This growth is largely driven by the retail, hospitality and entertainment sectors eager to capitalise on the season.
Major Dutch supermarkets consistently release Halloween-themed products during the season, while pumpkin-flavored items have become prevalent in cafes and restaurant menus nationwide, helping to infuse the festive spirit throughout the retail and hospitality landscape. Notably, pumpkin sales in the Netherlands have increased by approximately 20 000 kilograms in the two weeks leading up to Halloween. The steady growth of the pumpkin craze is also reflected in the annual event “Pompoen Plukdagen Oostwold” (4–5 October, 2025), that has expanded its picking fields to 1.5 hectares this year, featuring Halloween-specific varieties such as Uchiki Kuri and Magnetron Mix. The growing scale further indicates increasing engagement with seasonal activities among people across the Netherlands.
Despite this rise in visibility and commercial appeal, the share of Dutch residents actively celebrating Halloween remains modest. According to recent years’ data from industry group VBZ, only 7% of respondents reported participating in Halloween-related activities such as costume events or “spooktochten”, while an additional 5% decorate their homes or gardens. Still, these numbers are trending upward each year, indicating that Halloween is slowly carving out a place in the Dutch cultural calendar.
