If you’re on holiday in the city at the end of this month, you may want to take part in some of the many events celebrating Halloween in Malaga. In the updated edition for 2019, you can see what’s on in Malaga during Halloween. You can also discover what the Spanish do to mark All Hallows and most importantly of all, where to buy your outfit.
Halloween is a relatively new custom in Spain, but as a country that loves a party and dressing up, it’s now one of the most popular events in the calendar. Malaga is no exception and like many other cities in Spain, the UK and the US, the city will be teeming with vampires, witches and zombies at the end of October.
Events celebrating Halloween in Malaga
Many bars and restaurants will be having a Halloween-themed night – expect very low lighting and lots of ghoulish decor. But if you’re looking for venues properly celebrating Halloween in Malaga, try these suggestions:
Creepy cemeteries
If you’re looking to get off the beaten track in Malaga, two of the city’s cemeteries are recommended. Not only will they get you into the Halloween mood, they both boast interesting architecture, some famous inhabitants and are oases of peace and quiet. Read about San Miguel Cemetery here.
English Cemetery – Avda de Pries 1 (near the bullring). Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 2pm. €3
Halloween Games at the English Cemetery: family fun discovering the cemetery’s secrets (clues in Spanish only). Teams of 4 to 6 people welcome, suitable for all ages. Thursday 31 October from 7.30 to 11.30pm. €25 per team. Book on 952 223 552 (Tues to Sun 9am to 3pm) or online.
San Miguel Cemetery – Plaza del Patrocinio. Daily 9am to 2pm & 4 to 6pm. Free
DISCOVER MORE THINGS TO DO IN MALAGA
Family frights
The Conception Botanical Gardens offer guided tours round the grounds and house, but on Halloween night you won’t be looking out for plants and trees. This year’s event has figures and phantoms appearing from the garden’s darkest nooks and crannies.Do dress up to join in and expect a fright-filled 60 minutes at one of the loveliest gardens in Malaga.
Thursday 31 October at 8.30pm. Tickets (€15) must be booked by phone – 951 926 180.
Black night in Soho
To be confirmed: The Soho district is also celebrating Halloween. Fun starts at 5.30pm for children with face painting, games and a ‘sweet route’ round the streets. Later on, it’s the turn of older children and adults when there’s a fancy dress competition from 8 to 9.30pm. First prize is €100 in cash so it’s worth making an effort! Soho businesses are taking part in a Halloween window display too. Join the fun on Calle Tomás Heredia.
Thursday 31 October from 5.30pm. Free
Portside trick or treat
To be confirmed: Kids and family fun at Muelle Uno. A variety of activities will take place including games, a fancy dress fashion show with prizes and lots of surprises. Trick or treat around shops on the port. Suitable for all the family.
Thursday 31 October from 5 to 9pm. Free
Deathly DJs
Sala Paris 15 takes Halloween music to a new level with its Halloween Festival line-up of 10 international artists and DJs plus the best of the Spanish Breakbeat scene.
Saturday 26 October midnight to 7am at Sala Paris 15, Calle de la Orotava 27. Tickets €22 available here.
Get there by taxi or buses 19 or 25 from the Alameda Principal.
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Day(s) of the Dead
In complete contrast to the usual events for Halloween in Malaga, this year sees the first edition of the All Saints Fiesta. The 4-day event turns to Mexico and Latin America for its celebration and homage to those no longer here. Following the Day of the Dead tradition in Mexico, Malaga dresses in white with flower, skulls and photos of deceased loved-ones. A long list of musicians and groups covering all sorts of musical genres – boleros, ska, rock and roll, reggae… perform on stage at the Eduardo Ocón Auditorium on the Paseo del Parque.
Thursday 31 October from 8pm, Friday 1 November from 1pm onwards, Saturday 2 November from 1pm and Sunday 3 November from 2pm. To get there, walk along the Paseo del Parque until you reach the open-air auditorium that is more or less opposite the Bank of Spain building.
Traditions celebrating Halloween in Malaga
Although Spain is gradually adopting an American-style Halloween (fancy dress, trick or treating etc), more traditional activities are still popular. 1 November is a national holiday (handy if you’ve been out till late the night before) and is a day for honouring the family’s deceased.
Chestnuts tostón – a long-standing tradition is to feast on roast chestnuts, sometimes with bacon and raisins, washed down by a glass (or several) of homemade spirits. Several villages near Malaga celebrate the tostón on the weekend before Halloween or on 1 November. If you can’t get to a traditional tostón, buy a cone of roasted chestnuts at one of the stalls in Malaga.
Huesos de santo – the Spanish traditionally eat ‘saints bones’ at Halloween. The sweetmeat made from marzipan and egg yolk and sugar paste is hugely popular and you’ll see them in the windows of all the cake shops in Malaga.
Where to buy Halloween costumes in Malaga
If you’re celebrating Halloween in Malaga, the good news is that you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to outfits. Plenty of shops in the city centre sell full costumes and accessories so you needn’t be without your witch’s hat, vampire fangs or zombie mask. Here’s our pick:
- Luis Carrasquilla – fancy dress for all occasions. Calle Juan de Padilla 12
- Rosa Peula – get your Halloween disguise and a flamenco dress at the same time. Calle Carretería 14
- Imaginarium – some great Halloween outfits for children at this traditional toy stores. Several branches in Malaga including Vialia and Plaza Mayor. See where else to go shopping in Malaga.
