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The heart of Barcelona may not offer as much as other cities when it comes to dressing up, trick-or-treating, or carving pumpkins, but spending Halloween in Barcelona gives visitors the chance to experience an equally fascinating tradition: La Castanyada.

In Catalonia, November 1st is a time when families come together to celebrate All Saints’ Day in honor of lost loved ones. Beyond the spooky costumes and fake cobwebs you’ll spot in the bars along Las Ramblas, the streets of Barcelona fill with vendors selling delicious treats. Plus, on the eve of All Saints’ Day, you’ll find some fascinating traditions that have little to do with the typical Halloween. But don’t worry if your Dracula cape is already ready — there are also plenty of lantern-lit celebrations where you can really sink your teeth in.

Roasted Chestnuts & Sweets

Castanyes (roasted chestnuts) are perhaps the most iconic treat you’ll find in Barcelona around All Saints’ Day. Traditionally eaten on the night before and on the day of La Castanyada, they can also be bought in advance from the many stalls set up across the city throughout October and into November. Known as Castanyers and Castanyeres, these vendors roast the chestnuts over charcoal grills, serving them hot and wrapped in newspaper — the perfect way to warm up as the autumn chill starts to set in.

Panellets are also on the menu. These bite-sized almond-flavored balls, usually coated with pine nuts, are a must-try for anyone wanting to dive into Catalan culture. And if the traditional ones aren’t quite your taste, you’ll find plenty of variations — from coconut to lemon and chocolate. The best place to pick up these sweet treats is at the local bakeries.

Another popular food during La Castanyada, and one you definitely should try, are sweet potatoes, also sold at the street stalls around the city. They not only offer a healthier alternative to the sugar overload, but these orange delights are sure to warm you up from the inside. Most of these treats are typically enjoyed with a sweet moscatel wine, traditionally served in a porrón — a glass jug with a spout used to pour the wine straight into your mouth.

The History of La Castanyada

The tradition of eating roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes dates back to the eve of All Saints’ Day, when church bells rang late into the night in remembrance of the departed. Friends, family, and neighbors would take part in the exhausting task of ringing the bells, and these foods were eaten as nourishment.

A Family Event

Most visitors who know and love the typical vibrant celebrations of Barcelona might expect Catalans to take to the streets for a massive party. However, on All Saints’ Day most families head to the cemeteries to lay flowers and then spend a quiet day at home with their loved ones. If you happen to be in Barcelona during this religious holiday, it’s a great opportunity to visit Poblenou Cemetery, as it was the city’s first modern cemetery and is filled with beautiful and historic statues.

Feast Away!

Fancy something different? Then learn how to prepare your own Catalan-style autumn feast. This simple, sweet, and traditional recipe gives you everything you need to make your own panellets.

Ingredients:

• 450 g almond flour (the base for the marzipan dough)
• 1 small potato (to mix into the marzipan dough — another tradition!)
• 2 ½ cups sugar (white granulated sugar is traditional, but you can use brown sugar if you prefer)
• Eggs (used in the dough, to bind the toppings, and for brushing as an egg wash before baking)
• 1 lemon zest (grated, to add to the dough)
• Toppings (go wild — you can use pine nuts, chopped almonds, shredded coconut, cocoa powder… the list goes on!)

Preparation:

Quick tip: If you have a food processor, it will make things so much easier!

1. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, eggs, and lemon zest until combined.
2. Add the potato mixture and stir.
3. Add the almond flour and keep mixing until everything is well incorporated.
4. Shape the mixture (dough) into a large disc, cover it, and let it rest for a few hours until cooled.
5. Roll the dough into evenly sized balls, dip each ball into beaten egg, then into a second bowl with your preferred topping. Make sure each ball is fully coated, pressing the nuts in with your hands if needed.
6. Brush the panellets with egg after placing them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
7. Bake the panellets for 10 minutes until the tops are nicely golden — keep an eye on them so they don’t burn!
8. Serve and enjoy! Panellets will keep for up to a week (if you don’t eat them all first!).

Halloween in Barcelona 2025

If you still want to enjoy the pagan festivity of Halloween in the Catalan city, here are several things you can do to celebrate it:

A Terrifying Halloween: Why not spend the night at “La Isla Maldita,” the “Halloween Kingdom,” or get lost in one of the many “Passages of Terror” at Spain’s most visited theme park, PortAventura? For the full program of events during the Halloween celebrations, check out the PortAventura website.

Nightmare Movies: This year it’s been announced that the Twilight Saga will return to cinemas this October, but since we don’t know if it will make it to Spain, you can also catch The Conjuring: The Last Rite or Strangers: Chapter 2, both already showing in theaters and guaranteed to give you chills before bed.

A Fright Night: For a spooky and twisted Halloween celebration, why not head to Neo Caja Negra Barcelona to enjoy a night full of creepy cocktails? It’s a horror-themed bar where you can sip drinks and listen to rock music.

Ghost Tours: Looking for something different? Want to uncover the dark secrets of Barcelona’s eerie past? The Barcelona Ghosts and Legends Tour is just what you need. Embark on a spine-chilling journey through the streets of the Gothic Quarter as you uncover the mysterious truth about Barcelona’s past.

So make the most of your autumn getaway in Barcelona and join in some seasonal activities!