Dear Readers, Happy Scorpio Season, Harvest Season, and of course, Halloween — one of my favorite holidays! It might just be in my top three, right up there with New Year’s and my birthday because, as you know, I’m a Leo. And dontcha know I just love an excuse to dress up and be someone else for a while?
There’s something I just love about the ancient roots of Halloween, grounded in the celebration of release, letting go and the season of change as we head into winter. The colors, the leaves, the costumes — it’s all so rich and magical.
But here’s the thing, y’all. Halloween in Portugal ain’t at all the same as it is back in Texas. While it’s beginning to catch on here, people will tell you how it’s mostly seen as a commercial holiday “from the movies.” It’s not really a thing for adults to dress up in anything other than spooky costumes — witches, skeletons, that sort of thing — and even then, it’s mostly for kids. I’ve gotten a few raised eyebrows wearing my witch hat before Halloween and people saying, “You’re a couple of weeks early!” I gently reaffirm that Spooky Season lasts all month.
However, Portugal honors All Saints Day on Nov. 1 as a national holiday when schools and banks close. This day holds a significant connection to the country’s history, as it’s a reminder of the great Lisbon earthquake of the 1700s. It happened on All Saints Day, and the story goes that the candles lit for the day of prayer caused fires after the earthquake, leading to massive destruction which was also followed by a tsunami and floods. So, folks here have Nov. 1, which makes me wonder why Halloween isn’t more of a thing here — if there’s a holiday after, why not go big on Halloween?
Meanwhile, back in Texas, we do everything bigger, and gosh I’m missing Hell Ride, one of the best events of the year in San Marcos. With hundred( s) of people on bicycles, decked out in costumes, riding from flash party to flash party with full bands playing in the backyards, it’s pure magic! Hell Ride is truly one of those weirdly wonderful Texas traditions that I’m so proud to savor in my memories.
I’ve thought about starting my own small version here in Portugal, but I just don’t think it could ever capture that wild, free-spirited energy of what takes place in the 78666.
In the U.S., it does lose a little magic when it falls on a weekday. We’re all still expected to show up to work or school the next day, unlike Portugal’s fullon holiday for All Saints Day. But we Americans — we power through! If Halloween is on a Wednesday, you better believe we’ll still be out there in full costume, trick-or-treating or hosting parties. No one is going to dampen our spooky spirits.
Happy Hell Ride, Happy Halloween, Happy All Saints Day, Happy Birthday Scorpios and a blessed Dia de Los Muertos! We have much to celebrate this season, and I want to see all your dress-up pics!
Xoxo,
Kelly Stone is an educator, comedian, mother, and author who loves the heck outta the river. She welcomes e-letters at kellystone. org or kellystonecomedy@gmail. com and adores handwritten notes and postcards via good ol’ snail mail: R. das Combatentes da Grande Guerra 47, FRAC R, Aveiro, Portugal 3810-087
