Halloween night in Catalonia 2024

Halloween, or the Night of the Witches, as it is also known in Catalonia, is a celebration full of fear and fun that takes place on the night of October 31.

During the celebration of Halloween, Catalonia is filled with pumpkins, costumes and decorations. People of all ages dress up and participate in festive events such as parties and costume contests.

But what is the origin of this increasingly popular celebration?

Halloween Night dates back to the time of the Celts, who celebrated their new year on November 1, a date that coincides with the Catholic holiday of All Saints. The Celts believed that on this night the dead woke up and made contact with the living, and to avoid being recognized by evil spirits, they dressed up in terrifying clothing and lit a candle inside a turnip, which later (with the arrival of Celts to the United States and lack of turnips) became a pumpkin.

It was not until the second half of the 19th century, also in the United States, that the well-known " trick or treat " originated, in Catalan " laminadura o entremaliadura " and in Spanish " trick or treat ", when children went out dressed up and went door to door of your neighbors looking for sweets.

Witches Night or Halloween Night in Catalonia

Today, Halloween Night is a holiday that is celebrated all over the world and has a great cultural and commercial impact. In Catalonia, this tradition has more and more followers, although at the same time the traditions of Catalan culture such as the Castañada are maintained, both festivities coexist and complement each other.

We encourage you to enjoy the autumn traditions in Catalonia, the Castañada and Halloween Night, an opportunity to enjoy fear, fun and traditions that make Catalonia a unique place in the world.