Halloween Events for 2024
October 19 - November 4
Let’s take a look at all the spooky goings on for Halloween 2024, from traditional customs and options for entertaining kids, to crazy boat parties and fancy dress club nights…
La Castanyada
Historically, Catalans celebrate All Saints’ Day (1st November) by attending church and visiting family graves to lay wreaths and light candles in remembrance of the dead. In addition, they celebrate the tradition of La Castanyada, either on the 1st November or the 31st October, eating roasted chestnuts and sweet bread rolls known as panallets, either at home or buying them from the vendors out on the streets.
If you’re in Barcelona at this time of year, you might enjoy the smells of the roasting chestnuts and autumnal air, and the elegant sombreness of these religious traditions.
Halloween Parties 2024
As for American-style Halloween celebrations, you’ll find plenty going on too. Young Catalans enjoy dressing up for a party and typically embrace the opportunity to get in costume and head out for the evening. Whilst the large number of American exchange students and tourists, and other foreigners who’ve grown up on Hollywood horror movies, are always keen to paint the town red this time of year, make the 31st October one of Barcelona’s liveliest nights.
Many bars and clubs around town will be throwing fantastic fiestas with drinks promos and prizes for the best fancy dress costumes. Here’s a selection for 2024…
1. Halloween Boat Parties (31st Oct + 1 Nov)
How about spending Halloween on a double-decker catamaran, fully decorated with Halloween regalia, and a DJ spinning freaky hits and classic party tunes? These boat parties set off both on Thurs 31st Oct and also Friday 1st Nov, at 18:00, just as the sun sets. After two hours of booze and bailando on the Mediterranean sea, everyone will transfer over to a secret venue for an epic afterparty.
Here are all the important details:
- Dates: 31st October + 1 Nov
- Check-in: Coconut Club Bar starting from 17:00
- Halloween Boat Party: 18:00 to 20:00
- Includes 4 alcoholic drinks (and free soft drinks)
- Live DJ
- Costumes are mandatory!
- Afterparty access included
Reserve Tickets: Tickets are €55 and you can buy them direct from the organisers.
2. Burlesque Freak Show at La Whiskeria (31st Oct)
For a sophisticated and sexy Halloween be sure to pass by La Whiskeria, as this suave sipping point is throwing on a special soiree featuring Burlesque Show, libations and snacks. Tickets are €35 per person (or €60 total for two people) and you can buy them on their website
3. Halloween Party at The Old Irish Pub (31st Oct)
Halloween is also a bit deal at the Old Irish Pub, where the best competitions win prizes and you can get into their 360 degrees video booth to be the star of the show! There’s also live music from 8pm til 11pm, after which you can keep on doing your Thriller impressions until 3am, as the resident DJ takes over from 11 til late. Check out their website for more info.
4. Halloween at Ice Barcelona (all weekend)
Ice Barcelona are celebrating Halloween all weekend with live DJs and free access to their ‘warm bar’. To really get chilled to the bone however, you should take a dip into their subzero chamber – just use the code HALLOWEEN to reserve your tickets and get a 10-20% discount! Then imagine you’re starring in The Thing, as you drink vodka from a glass made out of ice and pose with the frozen sculptures.
5. Halloween at Flaherty’s Irish Pub (31st Oct)
Celebrate the scary season in good company at this welcoming Irish pub, where you can celebrate with generous 2-for-1 drinks promos on offer until midnight. Plus there’s a free shot for anyone who arrives in costume. For good craic look no further!
6. Halloween Party at CocoVail Beer Hall (31st Oct)
This popular craft beer bar will be throwing open their doors for a special seasonal booze up with a prize for the best costume, and some trick or treat surprises. Read more details on their blog!
7. Zombie Apocalypse Party at The George Payne (31st Oct)
This fun-loving pub on Urquinaona square will be fitting itself out in full Walking Dead style come the 31st October, and you are encouraged to do the same. In fact, there are three costume prizes up for grabs… Best Dressed (according to the Zombie theme) wins a €100 bar voucher, Most Original Costume gets €50 voucher and Sexiest Costume wins the infamous George Payne ‘Blackout Tray’ of shots. On the decks is DJ Sofídia and it’s free entry before 10pm. Head to their social media to vote on what Halloween drinks they should serve up!
Check out their website for more details!
8. Halloween at Belushi’s Bar (31st Oct)
Ghosts, gremlins and ghouls are all invited to Belushi’s Bar this Halloween, and you can join them on Thurs 31st. Entrance is free of charge, and if you head down in fancy dress and you’ll have a chance of winning a €50 bar tab as a prize. Meanwhile they’ll be DJs until 2am, late-night kitchen and ‘Bloody Shots’ for the brave of heart. Belushi’s is the official bar of St. Christopher’s Inn hostel and a favourite place for international students and locals. Check out their website for more info.
9. Glamour Freaks HALLOWEEN at Slow Barcelona (31st Oct)
For a late night and debauched disco debacle, be sure to head to Slow Barcelona this Halloween, one of the city’s best cocktail-bars-turned-nightclubs. On the decks will be D.T.H., spinning the best progressive house, melodic techno and fearsome beats from midnight until 5am-ish. Advance tickets are just €12 and feature a free mixed drink, or two free beers, and you can grab them via the Slow website.
10. Boozy Drag Queen Brunch (2nd Nov)
If you fancy a post-Halloween pick-me-up, this rooftop Drag Queen extravaganza features classic brunch dishes, refreshing drinks and ribald entertainment. Aside from the performances of local drag artists, guests have a chance to get involved during a lip-sync challenge! Doors open at 1pm, and you can buy tickets here (€18).
Halloween for Kids 2024
Creepy Halloween at Poble Espanyol (19th Oct to 3rd Nov)
If you want to celebrate the season with your kids, then I’d recommend taking them to Poble Espanyol. This open air cultural centre will have plenty going on during the whole Halloween season (19th October to 3rd November 2024), including workshops, kids’ activities, and spooky decorations. The highlight of their Halloween programme will be a tour of two mystery tunnels within a creepy circus, that will jangle the nerves of young and old. More info on their website: poble-espanyol.com/halloween-at-poble-espanyol
