Autumn travel trends highlight Halloween and Thanksgiving destinations for 2026

Travel trends for 2026 indicate a growing interest in experience-led international tourism centered around autumn holidays. Travel And Tour World has released rankings for the top 50 Halloween and top 50 Thanksgiving travel destinations, totaling 100 locations across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Caribbean.

For Halloween tourism, Transylvania, Romania, is ranked first due to its medieval architecture and associations with Dracula. Derry, Northern Ireland, follows in second place for its city-wide festivities. Other notable Halloween destinations include Salem.

Regarding Thanksgiving, travel focuses on heritage tourism, culinary experiences, and family holidays. Orlando is identified as a highly affordable option, with Kayak ranking it as the cheapest destination for the holiday, featuring an average combined flight and hotel cost of $529. Other major attractions include the New York Thanksgiving parade and various seasonal city breaks.