Spain expands Halloween season with major festivals and theme park events

Spain is seeing a significant rise in horror and fantasy-themed leisure and cultural activities. This autumn, various festivals, theme parks, and audiovisual releases are expanding the traditional Halloween season into a multi-week cultural phenomenon.

In Madrid, the inaugural Madhorror festival will take place from October 30 to November 2 at the IFEMA fairgrounds. Spanning 25,000 square meters, the event will feature film festivals, conventions, and immersive experiences. Notable guests include horror legends Robert Englund, Linda Blair, and Malcolm McDowell. The festival will also include retrospectives on the 'Aliens' saga and Spanish special effects history.

In Barcelona, the Tibidabo amusement park is hosting Halloween celebrations from October 3 to November 8, 2026. Highlights include 'L’últim ball', a zombie spectacle inspired by Michael Jackson’s 'Thriller', and the return of the character Murphy the violinist. The park is also offering immersive virtual reality experiences through 'Traumatika' and themed attractions like 'Hotel 666', which features characters inspired by horror cinema and the 'Saw' franchise.