As 31st October approaches, a very special date in Barcelona draws near, when two different festivities are celebrated in the city at the same time: Castañada and Halloween.
There are two ways to experience the night: on one hand, with costume, fright, and pumpkin; and on the other, with homemade sweets, roasted chestnuts, and family gatherings. The best part is, you don’t have to choose – you can enjoy both!
Traditions of Castañada and Halloween
Castañada: the taste of our land
On one hand, Castañada is a very typical festival in Catalonia. It is celebrated with family around the table, sharing panellets, roasted chestnuts, and baked sweet potatoes.
Perhaps the most endearing character of this celebration is La Castañera, the lady who sells chestnuts in a cone made of newspaper. If you stroll through Barcelona at this time, you’re sure to see street stalls with smoke and the smell of freshly roasted chestnuts.
Although its origin is linked to ancient All Saints’ Day celebrations, today Castañada is primarily a time for family gatherings – a tradition kept alive from generation to generation.
Halloween: fright and fun
On the other hand, Halloween is a festival that comes from abroad but has been warmly embraced in Barcelona. Children dress up as ghosts, skeletons, and witches to go out trick-or-treating.
The streets, bars, and shops fill with decorated pumpkins, cobwebs, and themed parties. Each year, more people join in, as Halloween is the perfect excuse to dress up, laugh, and have fun with friends.
What’s lovely is that in Barcelona, the local tradition is not lost. On the night of the 31st, you can start by eating panellets at home and end at a costume party… or vice versa!
Religion and spirituality
Castañada is closely tied to the Christian holiday of All Saints’ Day. For centuries in Catalonia, families would gather on the night of 31st October to remember the deceased.
Although today the celebration is much more cheerful and festive, this religious background remains on 1st November, many families still visit cemeteries to leave flowers for their loved ones.
Halloween also has its roots in spirituality. It originates from the Celtic festival of Samhain, a pagan celebration marking the end of the harvest, when it was believed that spirits returned to the world of the living. To protect themselves, the Celts lit bonfires and wore masks.
Later, with the arrival of Christianity, the Church transformed this tradition into All Hallows’ Eve, which over time was shortened to Halloween.
Geography and cultural roots
Castañada is a festival deeply linked to Catalonia, though it is also celebrated in nearby regions such as Aragon, Valencia, and the Balearic Islands. It is a deeply Mediterranean tradition, combining the autumn climate with seasonal foods, still filling the streets today with the aroma of roasted chestnuts. For Catalans, it represents a part of their cultural and gastronomic identity.
Halloween, by contrast, originates from the Celtic world, in what is now Ireland, Scotland, and part of the United Kingdom. From there, it travelled to the United States thanks to Irish immigrants, and it was on American soil that it acquired its current character: costumes, illuminated pumpkins, parties, and the famous trick-or-treat.
Later, through cinema and popular culture, Halloween returned to Europe as a global festival.
Today in Barcelona, the two worlds coexist: Traditions, Religion, and Geography
On 31st October in Barcelona, two celebrations combine: Castañada and Halloween.
- Traditions: Castañada is celebrated with family, chestnuts, panellets, and sweet potatoes, while Halloween brings costumes, pumpkins, and trick-or-treating.
- Religion: Castañada is linked to All Saints’ Day, remembering the deceased, and Halloween comes from the Celtic Samhain, later adapted as All Hallows’ Eve.
- Geography: Castañada is typical of Catalonia, and Halloween originated in Ireland and Scotland, later spreading to the United States and the world.
In Barcelona, Castañada and Halloween are celebrated together, mixing memory, family, and fun in one unique night.
Activities for Castañada and Halloween in Barcelona
If you visit the city at this time, you’ll find plenty of things to do:
- Bar crawls and costume parties
It is common for bars, pubs, and clubs to organise Halloween bar crawls, costume parties, contests, and special sessions from the night of 30th to 31st October. Some have specific horror themes, guest DJs, and more.
- Markets and public decoration
Many squares and neighbourhoods are decorated with pumpkins and special lights, offering stalls with themed products (decorative items, costumes, makeup…). While decorations vary from year to year, the tradition of dressing the city for Halloween never fails.
- Children’s activities and workshops
Workshops for children: decorating pumpkins, making masks, face painting, panellet workshops with monster themes, and more. Cultural centres, libraries, and civic centres usually organise these every year.
Castañada and Halloween at TwentyTú
And of course, at TwentyTú Hi-Tech Hostel Barcelona, we don’t lag. Our space also transforms into a place full of magic and mystery. Our team will be delighted to welcome you with the best festive spirit (and perhaps a few scares too!).
Seasonal Promotion:
Code OTONO25 for 10% off
Valid for stays from 1st October to 30th November 2025. Minimum 1 night. Direct bookings only. Non-refundable rate with prepayment. Cannot be combined with other offers.
