Celebrating Halloween: How open data can be used to track traditions across Europe
Understanding seasonal trends through the lens of open data
As the end of October approaches, Europe prepares for Halloween, a celebration filled with costumes, pumpkins, and spooky stories. Though originally rooted in Celtic traditions, Halloween has grown into a widely celebrated occasion across many European countries, blending folklore with modern festivities.
Open data helps us understand how Halloween is evolving. For example, datasets on consumer spending show spikes in costume and candy purchases in October, while agricultural data highlights the seasonal demand for pumpkins. Businesses can use this data to forecast demand, manage inventory, and tailor marketing strategies to meet consumer expectations during the Halloween season.
But Halloween is more than just costumes and candy; it is also a moment when cities face challenges in public safety, waste management, and event coordination. Open data provides the insights needed to anticipate these changes, enabling smarter planning, better resource allocation, and more informed decision-making for both authorities and citizens.
By exploring open data, we can uncover insights into how Halloween is celebrated differently across European countries. Curious about how many tonnes of pumpkins are harvested in your region? Or how Halloween affects tourism and retail? The European Data Portal offers access to datasets that can help answer these questions and more.
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