In recent years, Halloween in Spain has become increasingly popular.
Although, here is less about commercial costumes and more about remembering loved ones and celebrating life’s ongoing cycle.
The three-day observance begins on 31 October with El Día de las Brujas (Day of the Witches), continues with El Día de Todos los Santos (All Saints’ Day) on 1 November, and concludes on 2 November with El Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).
Galicia: Spirits, pumpkins, and fires
If you want a glimpse of Halloween’s ancient roots, Galicia is the place to be. This northern region still keeps its Celtic heritage alive through A Noite dos Calacús, the Night of the Pumpkins. The evening is filled with bonfires, ghost stories, and pumpkin carving.
No Galician Halloween would be complete without queimada, a drink made from aguardiente, coffee beans, sugar, and citrus peel, traditionally mixed inside a pumpkin. Before drinking, locals recite a magical incantation known as the esconxuro to ward off bad spirits.
Barcelona and Catalonia: Chestnuts and witches
In Catalonia, Halloween collides with La Castanyada, All Saints’ Day festival held on 1 November. Rather than spooky tricks, the focus is on seasonal treats: roasted chestnuts (castanyes), sweet potatoes, and panellets (little marzipan cakes coated in pine nuts or chocolate). Markets fill with stalls selling these delicacies.
But Barcelona isn’t all tradition. The city also loves a good costume party, and you’ll find themed events in bars, clubs, and even hotels. For something different, visit the cemeteries of Montjuïc or Poblenou, where guided evening tours combine art, history, and candlelit concerts.
If you prefer something spookier, the Ruta de Altares (Route of the Altars) brings a Mexican touch to Barcelona, with colourful Day of the Dead shrines popping up in shops and cafés. And over at Poble Espanyol, Halloween runs from mid-October to early November with haunted tunnels and circus shows.
A short drive away, the village of Sant Feliu Sasserra hosts the Fira de les Bruixes (Witch Festival), commemorating 23 women accused of witchcraft during the Inquisition. Enjoy eerie parades, fortune-tellers, and stalls brimming with local crafts and food.
Madrid: Parties, ghost tours, and a dash of drama
In Madrid, Halloween is a citywide affair. The capital’s nightclubs and bars go all out with fancy-dress parties.
Just outside the city, Alcalá de Henares, the birthplace of Cervantes, hosts a massive zombie march and a live performance of Don Juan Tenorio. The performance a Spanish classic traditionally staged on All Saints’ Day.
For something spine-tingling, try the “Spanish Inquisition and Legends of Old Madrid” walking tour, which takes you through narrow streets by lamplight, uncovering centuries of dark tales.
Málaga: Cemeteries and culture
Down south, Málaga swaps ghosts for glamour with beautifully decorated cemeteries and cultural events. While its famous Zombie March has shuffled off into history, the city’s English Cemetery and Botanical Gardens now host Halloween evenings.
Stroll down Calle Larios to admire the city’s elaborate Halloween window displays, or explore the trendy Soho district, where creative workshops and family activities fill the calendar.
If you are after something a bit mysterious, the Málaga Night Tour blends the city’s landmarks with its most haunting legends.
Cádiz: Humour at the market
Cádiz does things differently. Its Fiesta de Tosantos (All Saints’ Eve) on 31 October turns the city’s markets into satirical art galleries. Butchers, greengrocers, and fishmongers use their produce to create witty displays poking fun at the year’s scandals, from politics to pop culture.
San Sebastián: Frights on film
If your idea of Halloween involves more popcorn than pumpkins, San Sebastián is the place to be. Each autumn, the city hosts its Horror and Fantasy Film Festival, a long-running celebration of all things spooky on screen. Expect film premieres, concerts, and street performances scattered across the old town.
Of course, no trip to San Sebastián would be complete without sampling its world-famous pintxos. Pintxos are small, snack-like foods that originated in the Basque Country of northern Spain. Traditionally, they consist of a slice of bread topped with a variety of ingredients like meat, fish, or vegetables, and are held together by a toothpick or skewer (the word “pintxo” comes from the Spanish word for “skewer”).
