As Halloween approaches, students have been advised against donning Mexican ‘Day of the Dead’ costumes, with concerns raised about potential cultural insensitivity.

Universities have been proactive in cautioning students about cultural appropriation in their choice of Halloween attire, aiming to promote respect and understanding during the upcoming celebrations.

Among these institutions is Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen. Its Student Union issued a statement highlighting that among the many Halloween thrills—horror films, eerie decorations, and longer nights—the most chilling aspect could be offensive costumes.

The statement specifically discouraged the use of Mexican-themed costumes or sugar skulls, which gained popularity from Mexico’s Día de Muertos, a festival prominently depicted in the opening scenes of the 2015 James Bond movie, “Spectre.”

Additionally, costumes portraying Hitler, Nazis, or involving the darkening of one’s skin have also been advised against.

The Student Union emphasized that while these costumes may seem trivial to some, they risk trivializing and erasing the rich histories and lives they represent.

‘There are plenty of other costumes out there, so this year have a think before you buy.’

The warnings come amid concerns about cultural appropriation. 

Student revellers celebrating Hallowe’en have been told not to wear Mexican ‘Day Of The Dead’ costumes – similar garb is seen here in Mexico City in October 2016

‘Day Of The Dead’ celebrations have already been held this month in La Laguna, Spain

‘Day Of The Dead’ in Mexico City formed the backdrop for the opening scene of 2015 James Bond film Spectre, starring Daniel Craig (right) as 007 alongside Stephanie Sigman (left)

Dr Sierra Austin, a graduate of the Department of Women’s and Gender Studies at Ohio State University, said: ‘Simply put, cultural appropriation means trying on parts of a culture that don’t belong to you.

‘Dressing up like any ethnic/racial group is offensive. It reduces traditional clothing, customs and practices to a joke or simply an aesthetic – an aesthetic that one can take off at the end of the night.

‘Cultural appropriation is harmful, even if you don’t intend for it to be.

‘Such costumes often rely on stereotypes, which perpetuate harmful ideas and ideologies rooted in hate.’

The notice in Aberdeen comes after the University of Sheffield’s student union also warned party-goers to watch what they wear to avoid offence.

And previously University of Kent students were given a list of no-nos for costumes – including cartoon characters, letters of the alphabet, cave people and aliens.

In November 2023, police arrested a man in his 40s for dressing as Manchester Arena bomber Salman Abedi for Hallowe’en.

Elsewhere, an annual Hallowe’en walk for sausage dogs and their owners has been banned amid fears it has become too popular.

Mexican folk dancers are pictured here during a ‘Day Of The Dead’ event in King’s Cross, London, on October 26 2025

Inhabitants of Leona Vicario are seen visiting the town’s pantheon to welcome the dead as part of the Dia de Muertos celebrations on October 30 2019 in Cancun, Mexico

The Hyde Park Halloweenie Party event sees hundreds of dachshunds gather at Hyde Park dressed in costume for a social walk – but this year’s event was cancelled over fears it could become too popular due to its growing status on social media.

The Royal Parks, the charity which manages Hyde Park, faced criticism as ‘killjoys’ after telling organisers the walk would not be able to go ahead.

It said the popularity has led to the gathering becoming a small event, which requires organisers to get a licence to hold.

The organisers of the event said in a statement: ‘Unfortunately, this weekend’s walk has to be cancelled.

‘The Royal Parks events team got in touch and is being extra cautious after all the media attention, and although we’ve never had any issues in eight years, we must follow their regulations.

‘This walk has always been a friendly community get together for families and dogs, never commercial or advertised, just for fun.

‘This isn’t the end. It’s the start of something even better.’

A Royal Parks spokesman said: ‘The organisers did not approach The Royal Parks to apply for an event licence and the event was unauthorised.’

Ahead of Hallowe’en this Friday, Mexican costume-clad celebrants took part in a ‘Day Of The Dead’ event at London’s King’s Cross on Sunday

Dancers in vividly colourful outfits were part of the King’s Cross ‘Day Of The Dead’ showcase

Meanwhile, 20 places described as the spookiest in Britain have been revealed in a new poll – with the Tower of London, said to be haunted by 13 spirits, coming top.

Some 26 per cent of Britons claim to have felt an unearthly presence there – especially on Tower Green, where Anne Boleyn is said to have been seen carrying her own head, near the site of her execution.

Second on the list is Hampton Court Palace, where 16 per cent of tourists have felt a presence – in a gallery where Catherine Howard’s ghost has supposedly been seen running down the corridor screaming.

Also high on the list is Highgate Cemetery in North London, with 15 per cent of the vote – infamous for the so-called Highgate Vampire.

And Bodmin Jail in Cornwall made the list too, apparently home to the ghost of Selina Wadge who was known as the ‘Wailing Woman’ and was the last woman to be hanged there in 1878.