Do they trick or treat in Spain?

Show all answers

BarcelonaMan

If you're going to Estepona, Spain you might well have trick-or-treating because of the number of British people living there. The Brits "observe" this holiday.

But no, Spain does not observe Halloween. In some Spanish schools some children will, as of recently, dress up as characters but this is organized by the school or by the teacher. Kids don't do it because they know it's Halloween and their parents certainly didn't observe it when they were younger.

You can read all about it on WikiPedia's page. They quote that the following countries observe Halloween:

Observed by: Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Japan, Bahamas, United States, sometimes Australia,Sweden, and many Latin American countries where it is known as Noche de las Brujas (Night of the Witches)[2]

Saludos, MadridMan(.com)

Alejandro B

No. It is not a Spanish tradition, but some few children celebrate it nowadays, but only because they have copied it from American films.

sasha

not traditionally..but they have started to..there are so many ex pats now.Its really an american tradition.
It was actually frowned upon, when the local expats first celebrated it. The day after is all saints ( day if the dead) which is a solemn day.

tashatasha

When I lived in San Pedro del Pinatar (Murcia region) we had a few trick or treaters knocking on our door . you can buy some sweets just in case. if no-one will turn up , even better! they will be all yours! :)

SOC JO! A capite ad calcem

No,itÂ´s not a Spanish tradition,but some people celebrate it nowadays,as they have copied it from American films.Children start talking about it,and some celebrate it.I saw some customs and staff in the supermarket the other day.ItÂ´s becoming more popular bit by bit.
Take some sweets just in case,and if nobody comes,you can have them all.

zafir

America is the only country that celebrates Halloween with kids dressing up and trick or treating. Other countries have traditions surrounding All Souls and All Saints days but these are generally celebrations to do with departed family members.

Carousel

The Spanish where I live don't celebrate Halloween. The expats may do. The Spanish have a national holiday on November 1st. That day is All Saints Day. The Spanish people all go to the cementery to pay their respects to their dead relatives. I live in a village not too far from Marbella.

Kate J

Halloween is really an English/Druidic/Pagan holiday. They really don't do it in Spain. They celebrate All Saint's Day (Nov 1.) In fact, there isn't even a word in Spanish for Halloween. They call it VÃspera de Todos Santos - All Saint's Eve.

I'm not terribly surprised to see people mentioning that it has taken some hold, but it really isn't their thing.

Truly, the whole concept of putting on masks for any holiday was made illegal during the Civil War, and wasn't even reborn until about 1978 or so.

(PS - in Mexico, they celebrate All Soul's Day or the Day of the Dead - Nov 2, though the full festival begins on Oct 31, with the children returning from the dead).

Enter Your Message or Comment

User Name:
User Email:
Post a comment: