A Spanish Halloween

      I normally don't do Halloween, but after watching how Spaniards enjoy Halloween I might start! Halloween is relatively new in Spain (in the commercial sense), but it's very diverse and the people here go way out! first I want to say that schools are closed for two days! (well at least in the Canary Islands). Unfortunately, for us adults we still have to go to work.

     Halloween is celebrated for three days in a row. The first day is the day of the witches, the second day is all saints day and the third day is the day of the dead. Each part of Spain does something different to celebrate. There are many elaborate parties, costumes and people are out everywhere.

     Originally I thought that Halloween was something specific to the U. S. but here in some parts of Spain people go out of their way to celebrate and honor the dead. In the North of Spain in Galicia for example they take it very seriously.

     Galicia has such a rich history of folklore from witches, ghost and other types of spooky stuff that would keep you up at night. There are many special rituals and spells used in some parts of Galicia for various purposes. They usually have one day dedicated to carving pumpkins and drinking a special alcoholic drink while reciting spells.

     Some say that Halloween is not celebrated in the Canary Islands and that they celebrate something different. If this is true then It would be specific to certain Islands, because in Fuerteventura Halloween is celebrated.

      Everyone goes out to trick or treat to receive candy. They even give out candy in restaurants for trick o treaters. They do honor the dead like other parts of Spain which is quite similar to how many Latin American countries honor their dead (especially Mexicans). You'll see many elaborate shrines with candles and other objects as a form of remembrance.

     I will say this, I have noticed that for older people Halloween has a more spiritual meaning than what you see in younger people. Younger people enjoy going to parties and wearing costumes, but for older people it's more about paying respect to those who came before us.


Happy Halloween!

Hasta Luego!


If you would like to hear of a scary halloween tale based on true events that took place in Madrid, check out my video below.