What's On Barcelona: 30th October - 1st November

Bon dia!

It’s Mark here 👋

I went to a correfoc last weekend. It’s a bit like a fireworks display, except instead of standing there watching, the fireworks run at you. Mad really. 10/10 would recommend.

Turns out loads of people have never been to one. There are more this weekend, so I’m not telling you what to do, but you should probably go.

Also, our monthly email is coming early next week, with the best things happening in November. So keep an eye out for that.

As for this weekend though, here’s What’s On!

- Mark and Alex

⛅️ Weather

Fri ☀️ 21°/16° Sat ☀️ 19°/14° ☀️ Sun 19°/13°

1. Fot-li Castanya – Fire Runs Through Barcelona's Old Town

What’s On: Barcelona's Old Town is hosting the 18th edition of Fot-li Castanya this Saturday, bringing two traditional Catalan correfocs (fire runs) to the streets of El Born.

Expect people dressed as devils running through the streets with fireworks, sparks flying everywhere and plenty of noise!

📅 When: Saturday 9pm (children's) & 10:30pm (adults)
📍 Where: El Born, Barcelona (various streets, finishing at Fossar de les Moreres)

For more info see here →

2. Day of the Dead – Mexican Parade, Music & Celebrations

What’s On: Barcelona celebrates Mexico's Day of the Dead, with a colourful parade of Catrinas (people dressed as elegantly decorated skeletons) along the waterfront.

There'll be traditional Mexican costumes, elaborate face painting, mariachi music and a Catrina costume competition, followed by a parade from Portal de la Pau to Moll de Barcelona.

📅 When: Sunday, 1st November, from 6pm (parade starts 7:15pm)
📍 Where: Portal de la Pau, Port Vell

For more info see here →

Halloween? In Catalonia, It's La Castanyada! 🌰 [AD]

In Catalonia, Halloween isn't traditionally celebrated. Instead, locals celebrate La Castanyada, an autumn tradition held around 31st October and 1st November.

Linked to All Saints' Day (1st November), it's a time for remembering loved ones who have passed away and enjoying seasonal treats. It's also why you'll see stalls selling roasted chestnuts around Barcelona, a tradition that goes back generations.

Here are three Catalan words to know:

🌰 Castanyes — Chestnuts, traditionally roasted and sold at street stalls.

🍠 Moniatos — Sweet potatoes, usually eaten roasted.

🍬 Panellets — Small, sweet treats made with almonds, often covered in pine nuts.

There's even a traditional children's song about La Castanyera (the chestnut seller), which you can listen to here.

For even more resources on learning Catalan see here →

Content by the Ministry Language Policy

3. Halloween at Els Encants – Free Haunted Circus

What’s On: Els Encants flea market transforms into a haunted circus for Halloween, with a free, 100 metre long tunnel of terror.

Visitors will make their way through creepy circus-themed spaces, including cages, dressing rooms, carriages and game stalls, encountering spooky characters along the way. There'll be different levels of scariness, so expect a few surprises!

📅 When: Friday (4pm–7pm) & Saturday (11am–2pm and 4–7pm)
📍 Where: Mercat dels Encants

For more info see here →

4. Clot Festa Major – Street Parties, Music & Catalan Traditions

What’s On: The neighbourhoods of El Clot and Camp de l'Arpa are kicking off their annual Festa Major this weekend, with more than two weeks of celebrations running until 15th November.

There'll be live music, street parties, giant parades, castellers (human towers), traditional dancing and plenty of activities for all ages.

Highlights:
Fri, 9pm: Live music, cover bands and DJs at Parc del Clot.
Sat, 10:30am: Mexican Day of the Dead celebrations with food, dancing & workshops.
Sat, 7:30pm: Fire beast parade and traditional chestnut celebrations.
Sun, 11am: Castellers, traditional dancing & giant parades through the neighbourhood.

📅 When: Friday, 30th October – Sunday, 15th November
📍 Where: El Clot & Camp de l'Arpa

For more info see here →  (PDF)

Also Happening This Weekend

🌰 La Castanyada – Celebrations Across Barcelona

Neighbourhoods across Barcelona are celebrating La Castanyada, with roasted chestnuts, traditional food, music, children's activities and more.

In my neighbourhood Sagrada Família, there's chestnut ice cream, sweet wine and biscuits, live music from a band, & a children's fire show.

And that's just one of many of these celebrations taking place across Barcelona! There’s far too many to list here, so we've put together links to what's happening in each district.

Find out what’s happening near you using the links below.

Ciutat Vella · Eixample · Gràcia · Horta-Guinardó · Les Corts · Nou Barris · Sant Andreu · Sant Martí · Sants-Montjuïc · Sarrià–Sant Gervasi

🎃 Halloween Trick or Treating Across Barcelona

Kids can dress up and collect free sweets from participating shops across Barcelona this Halloween! Here's where to go.

Poblenou: Friday 30th October, 5pm–8pm. Follow the orange and black balloons at participating shops, starting from Plaça Rosa Peraulet.

Les Corts (Pedralbes): Friday 30th October, from 5pm. Trick-or-treating at local shops, with sweets and surprises.

Gràcia: Saturday 31st October, from 11:30am. Trick-or-treating at participating shops, followed by a Halloween photo booth from 5:30pm.

Esquerra de l'Eixample: Friday 30th October, 5pm–7:30pm. Free trick-or-treating route with a stamp card and prize draw.

🎶 Music, Parties & Nightlife
Mascarada Halloween Party (Poble Espanyol) – Huge Halloween party with reggaeton, 4 DJs & dancing until sunrise (Sat, 11pm–6am, entry includes a drink before 1am).

Monumental Club Halloween (La Monumental) – Halloween party in former bullring, with live music from Los Ganglios, DJ sets & a costume competition (Sat from 3pm).

Jackies Open Air Halloween (Parc del Fòrum) – Outdoor Halloween house music festival with multiple stages, DJs, food trucks & access to the wider BALLA Festival (Sat)

Le Bal Surréaliste Halloween Party (The Hoxton, Poblenou) – Halloween party with surrealist costumes, extravagant masks & electronic DJs (Sat, free with reservation).


🛍️ Food, Drinks, Markets & Shopping
GastroMarket of the Axis Maragall (Plaça Maragall) – Food market with local gastronomy & products, live music, children's activities & sports (Fri until Sun).

BCN Witch Fest (Universitat de Barcelona) – Fantasy & magic festival with a themed market, workshops, talks, film screenings, exhibitions & concerts (Sat & Sun).

Viva Vintage Autumn Market (Vila Olímpica) – Outdoor market with 50 vintage & second-hand clothing stalls, vinyl DJs, street food, games & more (Sat, 11am–7pm)

El Gran Flea (Estació del Nord) – Huge flea market with 150 stalls selling vintage & second-hand goods, + street food, specialty coffee & DJs (Sun, from 11am).

Second-Hand & Antique Book Fair (Passeig de Gràcia) – 29 stalls selling second-hand books, rare editions, manuscripts & out-of-print finds (Until 1st Nov).

Mercat de Colom Vintage Market (Port Vell) – Browse vintage jewellery, cameras, watches, antiques, military memorabilia and collectibles (Fri–Sun).

🎨 Culture & Experiences
All Saints' Day at Poblenou Cemetery – Mexican Day of the Dead altar dedicated to Gaudí & Cerdà, plus a concert honouring Josep Anselm Clavé (Sun)

Halloween at Tibidabo (Tibidabo) – Halloween celebrations with zombie shows, horror movie characters, a haunted hotel & more (Now until 8th Nov).

Creepy Halloween Family (Poble Espanyol) – Family-friendly Halloween event with spooky creatures, costumes, games & surprises (Sat & Sun until 1st Nov).

La Zona: Halloween House of Horrors (Poble Espanyol) – Immersive horror experience with a 4,000m² haunted route, terrifying characters, food & games (Fri & Sat, ages 14+).

Oscar Tusquets Exhibition (Poblenou) – Works by Dalí, Barceló & Mariscal from the architect's private collection (until 18 Dec, private visits by appointment).

International Puppet Festival (El Born) – Puppet shows from theatre companies, combining puppetry, shadow theatre, music & comedy (Fri–Sun until 1st Nov).

Escena – Barcelona Districte Cultural (Various Locations) – Free theatre, dance, live music & family shows at cultural centres across the city (Now until 19th Dec).

Tramvia Blau 125th Anniversary (Av. Tibidabo) Celebrate 125 years of BCN’s iconic blue tram, a chance to explore a historic carriage and enjoy hot chocolate (Sat & Sun).

Free Museum Sunday – Enjoy free entry to museums and attractions across Barcelona, including the Picasso Museum, MNAC, Montjuïc Castle, Design Museum, Mies van der Rohe Pavilion & more (Sun, times vary, some require advance booking).

In-Edit Music Documentary Festival (Aribau Cinemes) – Music documentary festival featuring films about David Bowie, Marianne Faithfull + DJs & music (Ends 8th Nov).

Flaix de Tardor Festival (Various Theatres) – International theatre & contemporary dance festival (Ends 29th Oct).

Jardí Geològic (Les Corts) – open-air museum exploring geology and Earth science, with rock displays and interactive exhibits (Free, open daily).

La Model Prison (Esquerra de l’Eixample) – Former prison turned public space, open for free visits where you can explore its cells and learn about its history.

🌞 Outdoors & Active
Juguem a les Places (Various Locations) – Free outdoor play spaces for kids & families across almost 50 Barcelona squares, with toys, games & activities.

Barcelona Night Skate Routes – Free guided skate routes through Barcelona every Friday night, starting from Vila Olímpica & led by volunteer skaters (Fri, 10pm).

📅 Plan Ahead

Expat Support Group – Connect With Others Living Abroad

What’s On: Living abroad isn't always easy, and if you've ever felt lonely, homesick or struggled to feel like you belong, this support group could be for you.

Led by psychologist and psychotherapist Alex Limanówka, this small group session gives expats a chance to meet others, share their experiences and talk about the challenges of building a life in another country.

There's no pressure to share anything you're not comfortable with, and you don't need any previous experience with therapy to attend.

📅 When: Wednesday, 11th November, 6:30–8:30pm
📍 Where: Carrer d'Enric Granados, 137

For more info see here →

Pitbull – I'm Back Tour (Palau Sant Jordi) – Mr. Worldwide brings his biggest hits to Barcelona, with special guest Lil Jon (Wed 4th Nov, 8:30pm).

Barcelona Fringe Festival (Casino Barcelona) – Comedy festival bringing comedians from around the world, shows from rising talent & established acts (6th–15th Nov).

💼 Jobs of the Week

Account Manager at Tebi
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See the role →}

E-commerce Account Specialist at Essity
<sup>Manage Amazon sales, analyse performance & support online promotions for major consumer brands.
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Find more jobs like this on BarcelonaJobs.com</sup>

That’s all for this week, have a great weekend!

— Mark and Alex

P.S. Here are three ways we can help you👇

1. Book a FREE introductory therapy session — for couples or individuals with Alex
 
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