Long lines at the costume shops. It’s not just late decision makers looking for the right mask, some Amazon packages haven’t arrived on time – so head to the nearest party supply store. The police are prepared for the night between consumption and riots.
The horror festival from the Anglo-American region is no longer a party that only attracts young people. Silvia is already 60 years old and tries out a few things in a party supplies store. She describes herself as a Halloween fan from the start and puts on a red and black velvet dress. Because this year the 60-year-old is going as vampire queen. The dress fits like a glove.
“I like to dance. “It’s way too hot,” says the nurse, who celebrates the start of her retirement with friends on the eerie night of November 1 and opts for a lighter version. There are several events on their program.
All hell breaks loose for the carnival prince
At the “Faschingsprinzen”, a popular address for everyone who likes to dress up, in Vienna-Leopoldstadt, employee Evelyn has her hands full. She knows the trends: “For couples it’s Harley Quinn and Joker,” says the saleswoman. The villain is especially fond of women.
When men go to a party alone, they scare the guests as a murderous clown like Pennywise. This year the money is no longer so easy. Customers paid ten to twenty euros for the mask. With a costume it is 50 to 60 euros. If you want to impress with an elaborate Halloween outfit, you can spend 300 euros in the store.
Evelyn herself will not be at any horror festivals this year, but she would like to accompany her children when they ask for trick-or-treating.
There was a riot with fireworks and glass bottles
While 64 percent of those under 30 look forward to October 31, the date scares others. The memories of the Halloween riots in Linz two years ago are too fresh. At the time, about 200 boys and men (mainly with a migrant background) caused chaos in the center of Linz. The men rioted for hours with fireworks and glass bottles until a large contingent of officers put an end to the riot. If things escalate again this year, the police are ready.
Following a ‘Krone’ request, the Viennese police confirmed an increased presence and attention is also being paid to pyrotechnic objects.
Despite the flooding, there were still plenty of pumpkins
When it comes to shopping, Halloween is just a drop in the bucket for retailers. Even if the willingness to open the wallet for the scary night increases. 19 percent say they want to spend more money on celebrations this year than last year.
What’s on the shopping list?
- First and foremost (80 percent) candy to hand out,
- this is followed by pumpkins (37 percent)
- and decoration (35 percent).
Speaking of pumpkins: during the September flood, countless pumpkins washed ashore, and not just in Vienna. Is the offer from our farmers enough for the spooky fun? “Yes,” assures Claudia Jung-Leithner from the Chamber of Agriculture: “In 2024 we were producing pumpkin on about 800 hectares. Ornamental pumpkins are of secondary importance in terms of surface area. Of course, there are also pumpkin patches in the flood-affected areas.”
But nothing stands in the way of the spooky festival.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
