The dead return but this time it's fun
Hurray it’s Halloween! The eve of All Saints Day falls on October 31 and legend has it that is the night the dead come back to life to harass the living. People would dress like ghosts so the dead couldn’t tell the difference.
In modern times it has become a time to celebrate the harvest and have some creepy fun.
Pumpkins, which in an Irish folktale were said to wander along to help Jack the drunk return home, are hollowed out with candles lit inside. Children in vivid cartoon costumes knock on doors and yell: “Trick or treat!”
The thrill and fun can now be found in Shanghai.
In Disneyland, surprises await. Halloween decorations have been put out while a parade, led by Donald and Daisy, will be unveiled on October 2.
Throughout the golden October, visitors will be invited to don their spookiest costumes and delight at “Donald’s Halloween Treat Cavalcade” featuring Donald and Daisy in their Halloween costumes. They will lead the way along the parade route with Disney villains, over 50 dancers and their pals Mickey and the gang.
For this special occasion, the popular Coco-themed area will be back in the park, and visitors will also be able to celebrate the return of Jack Skellington and Sally from Tim Burton’s "The Nightmare Before Christmas” at the “This Is Halloween” dance party in Tomorrowland. A selection of trick or treat locations will also be popping up around the Shanghai Disney Resort, where visitors can immerse themselves in the Halloween tradition of tantalizing tricks and tasty treats.
On Halloween night, party zones will appear across Shanghai Disneyland, featuring DJs, Disney characters and live musicians, and the night will conclude with the “Halloween Villains Firework Show” featuring music, projections, fire and plenty of fireworks.
For those who prefer another kind of fun, an “Amazing Halloween Party” will be held every night between October 26 and October 31 at MAO Livehouse.
Costume wearing is encouraged for visitors wanting to enjoy a feast of rock and roll, electronic and pop among witches, cat women, zombies and other spooky characters.
Or if you prefer a classic tale, the play “Halloween Games,” which has been staged for a decade, is in season.
It is at ET Space from October 30 to November 3 to unravel a mysterious case for Agatha Christie fans which is filled with elements of love, murder and betrayal.
Q: Can you share some thoughts on Halloween? What does your favourite Halloween look like?
Gabrielle from Shanghai Community International School
To some people, Halloween is basically just watching a bunch of horror movies and getting diabetes (too much trick-a-treat). But in my opinion, I think Halloween is quite fun. I really like the fact that you make something that is supposed to be scary and then you make it fun. I actually like to read conspiracy theories, scary stories etc, but not horror movies because I think that I only like to hear it but not watch it. My friends and I are planning to dress up as Japanese urban legends for Halloween one day. For the Halloween celebration at my school, we have the choice to participate in the flash mob Halloween dance. When I was in fourth grade, I participated, and I regretted it as I was too shy. In my fifth grade, I didn’t want to participate but we all had to. I dressed up as a ninja, with a huge hood and a mask that I planned to cover my face with them when I danced so nobody recognized me. However, I completely forgot to put on both my mask and hood at the dance, so I just nodded my head really hard and my hood finally came on. That was a great memory to keep.
Jenny from Concordia
Although I don’t celebrate Halloween anymore, it was one of the most festive seasons during my childhood. My most memorable experience was dressing up as a pirate and trick-or-treating on Halloween night in Grade 5. With my “pumpkin” basket, I aspired to a new personal record: approximately 200 candies overall. My favorite is always a Smarties chocolate box or a Kit-Kat chocolate bar, which I devoured as soon as I reached home. Yet, Halloween is more than a simple day of peculiarity. It is a time to express yourself, and a time to let creativity soar in its wildest dreams.
Zhu Tianchang from Shanghai Jincai Experimental Junior Middle School
Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and I think it’s one of the best times of year to go to Shanghai Disneyland. I’ve always had such a great experience whenever I’ve gone to Disney during this season because the whole park changes. You can play trick-or-treat (it’s all about the candy); you can put on your favorite Halloween costume; and you can meet Disney friends dressed in Halloween attire: my favorites are Mickey and Minnie on Mickey Avenue, Captain Jack Sparrow in Treasure Cove! Halloween may still be more popular in Western countries than in China, but coming to Shanghai Disneyland you can find so many things to see and experience. What’s more, the food is great too. So many great-looking dishes are sold that only come out at Halloween.