Halloween, once a distant Hollywood import glimpsed through movies and social media, has woven itself into Kochi's vibrant cultural tapestry, transforming the coastal city into a hub of spooky creativity on October 31, 2025. From glowing jack-o'-lanterns illuminating Broadway's bustling markets to cobweb-draped school hallways and pubs pulsing with themed bashes, the "spooky season" has secured its spot on the unofficial festive calendar alongside Onam and Christmas.

This surge reflects a broader globalisation of Western holidays in urban India, driven by millennial parents, expat influences, and streaming platforms like Netflix that popularise costumes and lore. Retailers report a 30-40% year-on-year spike in sales, signalling Kochi's embrace of the October 31 tradition—rooted in ancient Celtic Samhain rituals—as a playful antidote to routine, especially post-monsoon when the humid air lends an eerie chill.

At Mather Bazaar's historic Broadway, the Halloween frenzy unfolded like a commercial haunt, with shops like C C Uthup and Prince Fancy Stores flying off shelves stocked with imported Chinese novelties: fake blood vials, skeleton wall hangings, creepy dolls, and "silencers"—party noisemakers mimicking ghostly wails. "Hotels and pubs scooped up bulk orders for decor, while families grabbed masks and lipsticks for easy DIY gore," shared a vendor, noting Mumbai and Delhi as key sourcing hubs.

Nearby, Kalyanram Chamayam Dance Costume & Fancy Dress Rentals on Kaloor-Kadavanthra Road buzzed with early rushes, customising outfits inspired by recent Malayalam hits like Lokah—think ethereal ghosts and vengeful spirits—beyond staples like witches and vampires. Smitha Reji, a store associate, recounted clients arriving with character mood boards, blending thrift with imagination to craft bespoke looks, underscoring how locals are indigenising the festivity with cinematic flair.

Educational institutions have amplified the trend, turning classrooms into immersive fright fests that blend learning with levity. At Greets Public School in Kaloor, the inaugural Halloween event on October 30 enchanted over 500 students from kindergarten to eighth grade, who arrived as pint-sized Harry Potters, skeletal ghouls, and potion-brewing witches amid corridors rigged with LED cobwebs and fog machines.

"The kids begged for it after exams; it's exploded in popularity, teaching creativity and cultural exchange," beamed principal Belinda Vivera, crediting peer pressure from YouTube hauls. Older pupils orchestrated a student-led haunted house that elicited shrieks and giggles, evolving from a casual pitch into a term highlight. This mirrors a nationwide shift, with Indian schools increasingly adopting Halloween for soft skills like teamwork, though purists debate its dilution of indigenous festivals.

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Kochi's nightlife pulses with the holiday's pulse, from Velocity's DJ Mesh (SA)-headlined rave on Banerjee Road—promising laser-lit graveyards and potion cocktails—to the family-friendly "Neeli" maze at River Bourne Centre in Tripunithura, channelling Lokah's spectral siren sans alcohol but with three-course feasts and entry-through-haunt mechanics. "Enquiries poured in; it's inclusive fun for all ages," enthused community manager Aleena V. Benny.

As the city teeters on All Saints' Eve, this borrowed revelry—fuelled by tourism and diaspora ties—hints at a hybrid future, where jack-o'-lanterns glow beside diyas, proving Kochi's knack for festive fusion. Yet, as enthusiasm swells, calls grow for sustainable sourcing to curb plastic waste, ensuring the spooky spirit endures without haunting the environment.

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