Halloween possibly originated with Celtic harvesting traditions, and has become a modern-day Christian celebration of All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve, which is followed by All Saints' Day / All Souls Day. The celebrations for the dead stem from an ancient Aztec ceremony adopted into the Catholic calendar when Mexico was conquered by the Spanish in the 1500s. Hispanic and Latin countries across the world now celebrate the lives of the departed and their new beginning in the afterlife. It is seen as a happy celebration of death being the next step in life rather than something to be feared.
Halloween was not widely celebrated in Spain, although it is known as the day of the witches (Día de las Brujas). However, the following day of All Saints and All Souls is observed by Catholic families. With a more international community in the Costa Blanca, Halloween has gained popularity in recent years, especially among the younger generation. For those who live on the Costa Blanca, these two holidays are observed by the locals and the expat community. Towns have embraced some of the international influences, which include Halloween parties and dressing up.
Many shops throughout the Costa Blanca now stock fancy dress costumes, decorations and treats in the lead up to Halloween.
Children may be asked to wear Fancy Dress, and the school may have a competition and a photo session. Parents will be asked to make original costumes for their child.
A Halloween party in Moraira’s church square is organised by the Lions Club every year, where children can participate in a fancy-dress competition and join in with activities including face painting and games. Most local businesses, bars and cafes will provide sweets to children in costume; there is no trick or treating and knocking on the doors of private homes.
Many towns will have costume parties with food and live music in local bars and restaurants on Halloween, and these will be advertised locally. Larger towns in the Costa Blanca, like Benidorm, will have parties in hotels, bars, restaurants and at family theme parks too.
This is an important day for Catholic families, and in Spain, the 1st of November is a national holiday. It is a day for family members to get together, give thanks to Saints and Martyrs, as well as to celebrate the lives of deceased relatives. They will visit cemeteries, decorate graves with flowers and light candles. Many will also have a private altar in their home decorated with photographs commemorating family members who have died. However, this is not considered to be a sad occasion but a joyful way to remember people’s lives and celebrate the belief that they have begun a new spiritual life after death.
Anybody living in the Costa Blanca can experience a combination of international traditions during All Hallows' Eve. Although not something that was originally part of Spanish culture, Halloween decorations are now seen in bars and restaurants in the Costa Blanca, which often organise themed parties. However, for Spanish families, All Saints' Day remains more important, and churches will hold masses and services of thanksgiving, which will include music, readings, and prayers. Festivals are held in some towns to mark All Saints' Day with parades, concerts and traditional dances.
A wonderful part of living in the Costa Blanca is joining in with local celebrations and embracing Spanish culture during significant national holidays.
2024 - Written by your Hamiltons Real Estate team to wish you all a Happy Halloween!!!
