October 31

Established in 1944, Día de la Canción Criolla celebrates the development of Peruvian Creole music, which blends indigenous, African, and European influences. Festivities include live musical performances of marinera, vals, and tondero styles across Lima and other cities. Musicians, dancers, and cultural institutions host contests and parades showcasing traditional attire and instruments like the cajón. The day highlights the importance of Creole song in shaping Peru’s national identity and cultural heritage. Fans gather in local peñas to enjoy communal meals featuring quintessential Peruvian dishes such as ceviche and anticuchos. Media outlets broadcast special programs dedicated to legendary artists like Chabuca Granda and Eva Ayllón. Día de la Canción Criolla fosters pride in Peru’s musical landscape and encourages younger generations to carry on this vibrant art form.

Halloween traces its origins to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which marked the end of the harvest and the start of winter. In Ireland, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, it features trick-or-treating, costume parties, and jack-o’-lantern carving. In Cornwall, the tradition of Allantide includes the exchange of sweet cider buns and gifts. The Isle of Man celebrates Hop-tu-Naa with songs and lantern parades. Neopagan communities observe October 31 as one of the eight festivals on the Wheel of the Year, focusing on rituals to honor ancestors. In the Southern Hemisphere, a complementary festival of Beltane signals the mid-point of the growing season. Mexico’s Day of the Dead begins on October 31, blending Halloween customs with indigenous remembrance of the departed. Across cultures, these celebrations blend history, folklore, and communal creativity.

Saci Day was created to promote and preserve Brazilian folklore by celebrating the mischievous character Saci-Pererê. Schools, museums, and cultural centers organize storytelling sessions, theater performances, and art workshops around his tales. The day emphasizes the importance of indigenous and African influences in shaping Brazil’s rich mythological heritage. Participants often wear red hats and pipe props, symbolizing the traditional depiction of Saci. Parades and community gatherings feature colorful costumes and live music that highlight regional variations of the legend. Through Saci Day, Brazilians reconnect with cultural roots and foster pride in their diverse ancestral narratives. The celebration encourages a new generation to keep these folk stories alive through modern artistic expressions.