Does Halloween Have a Place in Australia?

Australia is best buds with America, but does that mean we should celebrate their holidays?

I like special themed days just as much as the next person, Christmas, Star Wars day, you name it I’m probably a fan. But does a holiday that originates from another country have a place in Australia?

Arguably yes. We embrace other cultures, because we are one big island of different cultures. Think of Australia as a multi-cultured food buffet. Many in Australia celebrate Chinese New Year so why is Halloween any different?

As Australia has a large Chinese community it makes sense to celebrate Chinese New year and who doesn’t like dumplings. But in the past Australia hasn’t embraced Halloween and the celebration was limited to a select few, perhaps because there was not a large American population. Whatever has happened in the past few years, Halloween in Australia has mutated and events are organised around the country. On the Gold Coast Warner Brothers Movie World holds a Fright Night every year and across Brisbane bars such as Oh Hello! are holding Halloween themed nights.

As Australia has a habit of adopting various cultural traditions from all over the world it seems as though Halloween is here to stay. Even though I, like many others, have a legitimate fear of zombies, perhaps it’s a good thing. Australia’s ability to hand pick cultural traditions that we connect to from all over the world just adds to our buffet-like multi-cultural society.

By: Taylor-Jayne Wilkshire