Pakistan has not announced a public holiday for Halloween on Saturday, October 31, with educational institutions, government offices, banks and businesses expected to follow their usual Saturday schedules.
No official government notification declaring a holiday for Halloween has been issued.
The occasion is widely celebrated in countries including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland and Australia, but Halloween itself is not a statutory public holiday in these countries.
The distinction is important because several countries observe religious or national holidays around the same time, but these are separate from Halloween.
Sweden marks All Saints’ Day
In Sweden, 31 October coincides with All Saints’ Day, known locally as Alla helgons dag, which is an official public holiday.
The day is observed in memory of Christian saints and, more broadly, provides an opportunity for people to remember relatives and loved ones who have died.
Many people visit cemeteries, place flowers on graves and light candles in memory of the deceased.
Churches across the country also organise religious services and concerts, while families and friends often gather for meals.
The Swedish holiday falls on the Saturday between 31 October and 6 November each year. In 2026, it falls on 31 October.
In Stockholm, the Woodland Cemetery, or Skogskyrkogarden, is among the places expecting visitors during the All Saints’ weekend.
Its chapels will be open to visitors on Saturday, while the cemetery’s visitor centre will also welcome people.
The Stockholm city authorities have advised visitors to consider using public transport, walking or cycling because the cemetery can become crowded.
The site is expected to close to ordinary car traffic between 10:00 and 21:00 on Saturday.
Although Halloween and All Saints’ Day fall on the same date this year, they are distinct occasions.
Halloween is associated with costumes, trick-or-treating and parties, while All Saints’ Day in Sweden is primarily a time of remembrance and reflection.
