Discover Authentic Catalonia in October!
October in Catalonia invites us to reconnect with the land, culture, and tradition. Halfway between the warmth of summer and the stillness of autumn, this month offers a mosaic of celebrations that blend the rural world, popular festivals, and new cultural influences.
From the legendary Castañada (Castillo de Castañada) to the Girona Fairs, the Santa Úrsula Fair, and Halloween, October is the perfect time to discover the most authentic Catalonia and celebrate it on the streets.
The Castañada: Autumn Tradition and Traditional Flavors
The Castañada is one of the most deeply rooted festivals in Catalonia and is celebrated on October 31st, the day before All Saints' Day (November 1st), although the festive atmosphere extends into the last days of October. It is a family and gastronomic celebration where people eat roasted chestnuts, sweet potatoes, panellets, and drink muscatel.
Many towns and cities organize autumn fairs, markets, chestnut stands, children's workshops, and parades, creating a warm and nostalgic atmosphere. It's also an opportunity to talk about the memory of the deceased, an ancient tradition that connects us to our origins.
Halloween in Catalonia: A Festival That Lives with Tradition
Despite being a holiday of Anglo-Saxon origin,Halloween has taken root in Catalonia, especially among young people. On the night of October 31st, many municipalities hold themed activities with haunted houses, costume parades, contests, decorations, and scary stories.
In many towns, Halloween activities are combined with the more traditional elements of the Castañada, creating a balance between Catalan tradition and modern influence. This demonstrates the region's ability to adapt and embrace its culture with creativity and respect.
Santa Úrsula de Valls Fair: castle capital
The Santa Úrsula de Valls Fair, held at the end of October, is one of the most anticipated moments of the human tower calendar. The event brings together the country's most important groups and turns the Plaza del Trigo into the epicenter of the human tower world.
In addition to the Diada Castellera (Castells' Day), the fair includes markets, shows, exhibitions, concerts, children's activities, and gastronomic offerings. It is a soulful celebration that pays homage to the tradition, technique, and emotion of this uniquely Catalan cultural expression.
Sant Narcís Fairs in Girona: Major Festival and popular culture
The Sant Narcís Fair is held in Girona around October 29th, coinciding with the day of the city's patron saint. This is Girona's main festival and one of the most notable celebrations of the Catalan autumn.
For nearly ten days, the city experiences a veritable explosion of activities: funfairs, a craft fair, concerts, family shows, fireworks, giants, and human towers. The city's most iconic spaces, such as the Devesa and the Old Town, are transformed into venues for a vibrant and participatory culture.
Sant Narcís Castellera Festival: strength, balance, and celebration
One of the highlights of the Girona Fairs is the Sant Narcís Castellera Festival, which brings together some of Catalonia's most important groups in a festive and exciting atmosphere. Plaça del Vi becomes the stage for this event, where you can see towers of great difficulty and high technical skill.
The day exemplifies the importance of collective values, discipline, and shared celebration, far beyond a simple display.
October offers us a calendar rich in emotions, flavors, and traditions. From the warmth of the Castañada (Castle Festival) to the intensity of the human tower festivals, through the cultural conviviality of Halloween and major festivals like the Girona Fair, this month opens the door to authentic, vibrant Catalonia.
Discovering Catalonia in October means becoming part of a territory that cherishes its memory, celebrates the present, and embraces new ways of expressing shared culture.
