Halloween is a holiday imported from the United States that has been gaining ground among Spaniards. Children love to dress up and go out trick-or-treating! How is Halloween celebrated in Spain? What plans can you make if you are in the country's capital?
How Halloween is celebrated in Spain
Spain is a very diverse country where Halloween is celebrated in different ways, it all depends on the community where you want to celebrate it! How is Halloween celebrated in Spain?
In Galicia, for example, it is known as Samaín and has Celtic origins. In the last 20 years, Galician cities have recovered the old tradition of Samaín and pumpkins and candles are placed on doors and windows to scare away evil spirits. It is said that it was the Irish who brought Samaín to the United States and it was there where the Halloween tradition was born. If you are in Galicia, be sure to dress up and eat roasted chestnuts, it's the tradition!
In Cantabria the Samuín is celebrated, where chestnuts are roasted, illuminated pumpkins are decorated and bonfires are made to cast spells. In La Rioja, the Día de las Calaveras is celebrated; in this festival, children carve skull-shaped pumpkins, place a candle inside and go out trick-or-treating while singing songs. In Soria, lovers of fear recreate the legend of "El Monte de las Ánimas", which is the best known horror story in the country.
Spain is a very diverse country where Halloween is celebrated in different ways, it all depends on the community where you want to celebrate it! How is Halloween celebrated in Spain?
In Galicia, for example, it is known as Samaín and has Celtic origins. In the last 20 years, Galician cities have recovered the old tradition of Samaín and pumpkins and candles are placed on doors and windows to scare away evil spirits. It is said that it was the Irish who brought Samaín to the United States and it was there where the Halloween tradition was born. If you are in Galicia, be sure to dress up and eat roasted chestnuts, it's the tradition!
In Cantabria the Samuín is celebrated, where chestnuts are roasted, illuminated pumpkins are decorated and bonfires are made to cast spells. In La Rioja, the Día de las Calaveras is celebrated; in this festival, children carve skull-shaped pumpkins, place a candle inside and go out trick-or-treating while singing songs. In Soria, lovers of fear recreate the legend of "El Monte de las Ánimas", which is the best known horror story in the country.
What to do in Madrid on Halloween?
Madrid has a lot to offer on the scariest night of the year: Halloween! Are you brave enough to live a Halloween night in Madrid?
Visit a cemetery in Madrid
A cemetery tour on Halloween? In Madrid it is possible. You can choose the Almudena Cemetery or the San Isidro Cemetery. The latter is said to contain a miraculous fountain; it is also home to important works of architecture and sculpture. Mystery surrounds this cemetery where, nearby, the famous painter Francisco de Goya painted his macabre and enigmatic black paintings.
Visit a little piece of Mexico
Mexico is famous for its Day of the Dead celebration, with its traditional altar where the dead are venerated. Flowers and colorful flags, as well as delicious delicacies, decorate the impressive altars - come and experience it at Casa de México! You can visit the traditional Mexican altar of the dead at 20 Alberto Aguilera Street.
The house of horrors
In Aranjuez you will find this paranormal-themed rural house, perfect for those who love horror. The house of horrors is open 365 days a year and offers spooky experiences for anyone who dares to visit it. Do you want to live a different and scary Halloween? Be sure to visit this macabre house on the scariest night of the year.
For Halloween, they organize different activities, games and an escape room.
The tour of ghosts in Madrid
Madrid is also famous for its ghosts, join this paranormal experience! The tour of the darkest Madrid will allow you to discover the darker side of the city, learn about some of its legends and get close to the most emblematic buildings of the capital. On the ghost tour you can walk through the streets of Madrid, its buildings and listen to horror stories that will keep you awake at night. Are they just stories or did they really happen?
Tour in a ghost station
The ghost station of Chamberí is already well known by the locals, it has been preserved for more than six decades! The decoration is still intact, including its advertising posters and signage. You can visit the station, which will give you the creeps and goosebumps, especially on Halloween. On this date they usually organize a horrifying activity.
Spend a unique night at the Amusement Park
The amusement park, Parque de Atracciones de Madrid, in Casa de Campo, has experience scaring its visitors. It is a must to celebrate Halloween! Come and discover The Temple of Shanarkai, a haunted venue in which you will help brave archaeologists find a treasure; but the way will be full of tombs, mummies and high doses of fear.
The Amusement Park experience is completed with multiple scary rides such as Nosferatu, The Walking Dead Experience, TWD Experience Dark Session, The Labyrinth, among many others. You will also find musical shows such as Ghosts, which pays tribute to Michael Jackson and A Monstrous School.
Finally, don't miss the park's rides, which will also give you an adrenaline rush, the entire park is decorated in a horror theme! You can enjoy this experience from October 1 through November 1.
