The spooky celebration of Halloween, which has blown over from North America, has been gaining popularity in Barcelona for several years. Particularly for the youth, more and more Halloween parties are being organized, and it’s not unusual to get children at your door shouting “truco o trato” (trick-or-treat). Here, I’ll explain how Halloween is celebrated in Barcelona and what fun events are planned for this year.
The Halloween Celebration
Everyone is now familiar with the American Halloween celebration. But did you know that Halloween stems from the Celtic New Year festival of Samhain? The Celts believed that evil spirits could rise from their graves during Samhain. To ward them off, they made large bonfires, dressed up (to fool the ghosts), and even made human sacrifices.
The festival of Samhain later merged with the Christian All Saints’ Day in the 9th century, a holiday dedicated to honoring all Christian saints.
The name Halloween is believed to be a derivative of “All Hallows Eve”, the evening before All Saints’ Day. On such an evening, people would go door to door asking for a so-called “soul cake”. For each cake eaten, a soul could ascend to heaven faster. This is also thought to be the origin of the trick-or-treat game.
Irish immigrants, descendants of the ancient Celts, brought these traditions to the US when they migrated in large numbers in the 19th century. Although Halloween originally began as an adult celebration, children started to play a larger role, and Halloween became the cozy spooky celebration with pumpkins, candy, and costumes that we know today. This is also true in Barcelona, where more and more shopkeepers and entrepreneurs have been influenced by Halloween and organize various themed events.
Fun Fact: Since Halloween always coincides with the Catalan autumn festival “La Castanyada“, locals sometimes find it difficult to choose between the two celebrations. A new term has even emerged for both festivities: “Castaween”.
Tips for Halloween in Barcelona
You can celebrate Halloween in multiple ways in Barcelona: by watching a horror movie marathon, stepping into a haunted tunnel, or attending a costume party. Most supermarkets now sell the typical hollowed-out pumpkin with a face, and you can buy fun Halloween cookies at the bakery, along with all the other typical autumn treats.
Below, you’ll find some fun ideas for celebrating Halloween in Barcelona.
1. Haunted Tunnels
A túnel del terror (haunted tunnel) is a fun activity that is especially popular with a younger audience. Various community centers in Barcelona, such as the Centre Cívic del Bon Pastor, Espai Jove Casa Sagnier, and Espai Jove Garcilaso, always organize haunted tunnels for Halloween.
For those who are really brave, the Centre Cívic Parc – Sandaru hosts the event PàNICalPaRC, or Panic in the Park, featuring a series of chilling activities. Think horror movies, terrifying costumes, and spooky performances.
2. Horror Movie Marathon
If you love horror films, you’ll feel right at home during the Halloween parties in Barcelona. But even better is buying tickets for a horror movie marathon. These are held at several cinemas in the city, such as Cinesa, Antic Teatre, Teatreneu, and Phenomena. Be sure to check with the respective organizations in advance about the schedule and whether you can purchase tickets ahead of time.
Don’t miss the free horror movie marathon by Klowns Halloween at the Societat Coral l’Espiga de Les Corts.
3. Costume Parties
If you have friends in Barcelona, it’s not uncommon for someone to invite you to a Halloween party at their home where you’re expected to show up in a Halloween costume. There are also plenty of bars and nightclubs that use Halloween as an excuse for a fun themed party, such as Elrow’s Horroween party in Barcelona.
If you need some great costume clothing, visit one of the stores listed below, where you’ll discover a variety of costume options, along with plenty of accessories to decorate your home in full Halloween style:
- Menkes Barcelona (Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 642)
- Party Fiesta (Carrer del Pintor Fortuny, 6)
- Drim (various locations)
Tip: The Galeries Maldà, the first covered shopping arcade in Barcelona, is known for its fantasy shops and is a must-visit during this time of year. Here, you will fully immerse yourself in the Halloween atmosphere and find all sorts of original costumes and decorations.
4. Halloween Kids’ Parties
If you’re in Barcelona with kids and want to attend a Halloween party, the Halloween kids’ parties organized at various amusement parks, such as Tibidabo, Poble Espanyol, and Catalunya en Miniatura, are highly recommended.
Older children enjoy celebrating Halloween at the Port Aventura theme park. Between October and November, new Halloween-related events, attractions, and haunted tunnels are organized annually, ensuring there’s something for everyone.
5. Spooky Tour of Barcelona
Halloween is the perfect time to take a spooky tour through the streets of Barcelona. You can visit the cemeteries of Poblenou or Montjuïc, or explore one of the many haunted spots in the city, such as the Urgell metro station.
Do you want to discover the darkest side of Barcelona and learn about the scariest legends and stories? Book one of the exciting city tours offered during Halloween!
Extra Tip: Visit the Witches Festival in Martorell
Lastly, you can complete your Halloween experience with a visit to Martorell, a town located about 30 km from Barcelona, known for its witches festival: the Fira de Bruixes de Martorell. During this festival, the town is transformed into a magical place full of witches and ancient beings.
The event features a diverse program with performances by jugglers, dance, fire shows, parades, and lectures. Additionally, there are esoteric stalls, a witch’s tavern, and a tribute to the local witch, Àngela Benaca.
Don’t miss it if you want to celebrate Halloween in a unique way!
Good to know
- Halloween coincides with the Catalan autumn festival La Castanyada, which sometimes makes it difficult for locals to choose between the two celebrations. Generally, however, La Castanyada is preferred over Halloween, although Halloween has seen a huge rise in popularity in recent years.
- For little ones, the festivities surrounding La Castanyada are less scary but just as much fun. These are held at various community centers and markets in Barcelona, featuring activities such as tastings and puppet shows.
These were my suggestions for a spooky yet enjoyable Halloween in Barcelona. Have you ever celebrated Halloween in Barcelona and have any tips? Feel free to leave a comment!
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