Carnival (Carnaval), All Saints and other dates newcomers miss

Terms used

• Todos los Santos — Todos los Santos is All Saints' Day, 1 November, a national holiday when families remember the dead.
• Castañada — The castañada is the Catalan autumn tradition of eating roast chestnuts, panellets and sweet potatoes around 1 November.
• Magosto — The magosto is an outdoor chestnut-roasting gathering with bonfires, held in Galicia, Asturias, León and Extremadura.
• Puente — A puente is a long weekend made by linking a holiday to the weekend, often by taking a day off.

Key rules

• Carnaval: Carnaval is not a national holiday, but a few towns make a day local holiday.
• Halloween: Halloween has no official status and is a normal working day.
• 1 November: All Saints is a national holiday, so shop for food beforehand.
• 12 October and 6 December: Both are holidays in every region.
• 8 December: This is a holiday in most regions, not all.

Which of these are days off?

Three dates are holidays almost everywhere: 12 October, 1 November and 6 December. 8 December is a holiday in most regions. Carnaval and Halloween are not national holidays. Chestnut festivals are traditions, not days off.

Carnaval

Carnaval is not a national public holiday. A few towns make the Monday or Tuesday a local holiday, for example some Galician or Canary municipalities. Some town councils pick it as one of their two local holidays. Schools in many areas close for part of the days. Check your local calendar.

The best-known celebrations:

• Cádiz: satirical chirigotas and choirs, and the contest at the Gran Teatro Falla.
• Santa Cruz de Tenerife: the largest, with the Queen's gala and the Coso parade.
• Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: also a major event.
• Sitges: known for its Rua parades.
• Smaller events: Badajoz, Águilas, Solsona, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Ciudad Rodrigo, Torrevieja, Verín, Laza and Xinzo de Limia in Galicia, Mazcaru in Cantabria, and rural Basque Carnavales such as Lantz.

Halloween

Halloween is a recent import from the US. It has no official status and is not a day off. It is popular with children and young people: costume parties, school events, themed nights in bars, clubs and theme parks, and trick-or-treating in some neighbourhoods. Shops sell costumes and decorations from mid-October.

All Saints, 1 November

Todos los Santos is a national public holiday. It is a quiet family day of remembrance.

• Banks, public offices, schools and most shops close. Big supermarkets are mostly shut, so buy food beforehand.
• Transport runs a reduced, Sunday-like timetable.
• Restaurants and leisure venues in tourist areas open.
• Families visit cemeteries and leave flowers, mostly chrysanthemums.
• Typical sweets are buñuelos de viento, huesos de santo and panellets (in Catalonia).
• Many theatres stage Don Juan Tenorio.

If 1 November falls on a Thursday or Tuesday, many people take a long weekend (puente). If it falls on a Sunday, some regions move it, so check your regional calendar.

Chestnut festivals

The castañada (Catalonia) and the magosto (Galicia, Asturias, León, Extremadura) are autumn gatherings around 1 November. People roast chestnuts and eat them with sweet wine, cider or new wine. The Catalan castañada is a family meal with chestnuts, panellets, sweet potatoes and moscatel. A magosto is an outdoor gathering with bonfires and music, and in some places people jump over the flames. Street sellers of roast chestnuts appear in cities from October.

12 October and December

• 12 October (Fiesta Nacional de España): a holiday in all regions.
• 6 December (Constitution Day): a holiday in all regions.
• 8 December (Inmaculada Concepción): a holiday in most regions.

When a holiday falls on a Sunday, a region may move it to the Monday, but several regions have recently chosen not to. Each region's calendar for the year is published in the official gazettes, and your employer's labour calendar shows your actual days off.

Timeline and deadlines

• Expect Halloween costumes and decorations in shops: from mid-October

• Plan around 12 October, a national holiday in all regions: on 12 October

• Buy chestnuts from street sellers in cities: from October

• Stock up on food before All Saints, when banks, offices, schools and most shops close: the day before 1 November

• Check your regional calendar if 1 November falls on a Sunday, as some regions move it: before the year starts

• Enjoy the castañada or magosto, and visit cemeteries with flowers: around 1 November

• Take the 6 December Constitution Day holiday, national in all regions: on 6 December

• Take the 8 December Inmaculada holiday, national in most regions: on 8 December

Frequently asked questions

Is Carnaval a public holiday in Spain?

No, Carnaval is not a national public holiday in Spain, but a few towns make Carnaval Monday or Tuesday a local holiday. Some Galician and Canary municipalities do this, and some town councils pick it as one of their two local holidays. Schools in many areas close for part of the days, so check your local calendar.

Which cities are best for Carnaval?

The best-known Carnaval cities are Cádiz, Santa Cruz de Tenerife and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Cádiz is famous for its satirical chirigotas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife is the largest, and Sitges is known for its Rua parades. Smaller events include Badajoz, Águilas, Solsona and Xinzo de Limia.

Is Halloween an official holiday in Spain?

No, Halloween has no official status in Spain and is a recent import from the US.

What is a castañada or magosto?

A castañada (Catalonia) or magosto (Galicia, Asturias, León, Extremadura) is an autumn gathering around 1 November where people roast chestnuts. Catalan families eat chestnuts, panellets, sweet potatoes and moscatel wine. A magosto is a communal outdoor event, often with bonfires and music.

Is 8 December a holiday in every region?

No, 8 December (Inmaculada Concepción) is a national holiday in most regions, not all of them. 12 October and 6 December are holidays everywhere. If a holiday falls on a Sunday, some regions move it to Monday, so check your region's calendar for the year.