Everyone who knows the core of Spanish culture will agree that it revolves around the spirit of hosting festivals and fiestas. Most of the world knows the British way of celebrating Halloween, but if you are in Spain on October 31 of this year, you will realize that here it is a great event. The festival that originated from the essence of remembering the dead, including saints (relics), martyrs, and all the faithful departed, is quite common in most civilizations around the world.

A three-day celebration

Spaniards like everything grand and elaborate. They then celebrate Halloweens for three days beginning with Halloween (Halloween). The second day (November 1) is All Saints’ Day. Halloween is not an American affair here and it has a traditional touch that is similar to the people of Spain, who are known for their warmth and hospitality.

On November 2, the closing day of this festival is known as the Day of the Dead. The Spanish do not consider this as a commercial party. For them, this festival is about honoring the dead and celebrating the continuity of life and thanking the Lord for giving us this life.

Different provinces and parts of Spain follow different rituals on these three days. Halloween in Galicia in northern Spain is celebrated with more enthusiasm and pumpkin carving contests, costume parties, bonfires fill the entire area. People happily drink a strong alcoholic drink called burned after reciting a spell (Hidexuro).

Halloween in Barcelona and Catalonia is a slightly different affair and the bars and clubs are full of special nights and costume parties. Enjoy the Catalan tradition of La Castanyada and eat the small Catalan rolls made of marzipan, almonds, walnuts and other ingredients. Also be a part of various events, game shows, music concerts, and other activities. Eat at local stalls filled with seasonal delicacies like castanyes (chestnuts), sweet wine, sweets, sweet potatoes and other delicacies.

There may be other fun activities in Barcelona during this time, but the locals don’t forget to pay tribute to their dead. Be sure to visit the magnificent cemeteries in the city to witness these massive gatherings. Some of the popular cemeteries are Montjuïc, Poblenou and Les Corts.

Honoring and remembering the dead

Although Halloween in Spain certainly has a commercial side, you will witness families gather at the graves of their deceased loved ones with flowers, offerings, holy water, food and drink on the second day of the festival.

Pumpkin Night

Halloween and pumpkin cutouts go hand in hand in the memory of all who celebrate it or have witnessed it in movies and television series. As in Great Britain, on the first day of Halloween, in Galicia pumpkins are carved and illuminated to pay tribute to the dead.

To the zombie march!

In the southern part of Spain, in the city of Malaga, Halloween is marked with a great zombie march through the streets. You can witness the participants dressed as witches, ghosts, goblins, zombies, vampires, Dracula, Frankenstein, etc. wandering the streets and scaring people. Scary storytelling contests are organized and there is an eerie atmosphere everywhere.

Tosantos party

In the city of Cádiz, during the Halloween holidays, street performances and concerts are organized. You will also be able to enjoy the fruit and vegetable stalls that will showcase characters from some recent political scandals. The cutouts and models made of fruits and vegetables are pretty awesome.

Plan your vacation well in advance and enjoy a spooky vacation this time.