The heat hasn’t quite left yet, but plans for Halloween 2026 in Madrid are already starting to fill up our calendars. As we alternate between pumpkin spice lattes, buñuelos, and “huesitos de santo,” without worrying about a blood sugar spike.
By the time October rolls around, we Madrileños are already bundled up way too much because either a few drops of rain have fallen or the“what should we do this weekend?” conversations start to take on a tone typical of the spooky season —an Anglicism, mind you—since we’ve adopted this Anglo-Saxon tradition, though not without Mexican touches and a few local twists.
If backrooms and liminal spaces have you captivated, the abandoned Chamberí station has been anchored in the past for more than six decades. Its decor has been preserved, complete with vintage advertisements and signs from the era, as has its structure, crowned by a vaulted ceiling and covered in classic beveled white tiles. It was restored and, since 2008, has been part of Metro’s Andén Cero, the name chosen for the network of suburban museums.
And although the visit is somewhat unsettling in and of itself, it’s now almost a Halloween classic in Madrid, transforming into a sort of haunted house experience around this time of year. This year’s dates haven’t been confirmed yet, but in previous years, the Andén de los Muertos was open on October 25, 26, 27, and 31, and November 1 and 2. Heads up! Tickets usually sell out fast.
The altar will be dedicated to Agustín Lara and will be open to visitors from October 2 through November 8. If you’d like to experience one of the most iconic Day of the Dead traditions in Madrid, the Casa de México Foundation in Spain is presenting an Altar of the Dead dedicated to composer Agustín Lara, which will be open from October 2 to November 8, 2026, withguided tours lasting about 25 minutes and free admission subject to availability.
It doesn’t all have to be heart-stopping scares and fake blood—especially not at snack time. If you prefer to celebrate Halloween in the afternoon—whether because of the little ones or because you’re a die-hard fan of pre-parties—Juan Carlos I Park has a slightly different plan in store.
Amid pumpkins and candles, the idea is to gather by the lake all afternoon to decorate lanterns (with LED lighting and completely biodegradable) and set them afloat at sunset: that’s the Water Lantern Festival. Halloween-themed children’s face painters will be wandering the grounds (with glitter for any adults who want to join in), and best of all: there will be a costume contest for those who want to put their look to the test before nightfall.
You can put together the perfect Halloween plan and get to know Madrid better with a tour of one of the city’s historic cemeteries. The Sacramental de San Isidro is located behind the spot where one of Saint Isidore’s miracles took place—and where the fountain now stands. Furthermore, the San Isidro Cemetery is one of the places in Madrid with the highest concentration of significant works by architects and sculptors.
As if that weren’t enough, it’s near Goya’s now-vanished Quinta del Sordo, where he painted his “Black Paintings.” A two-in-one blend of mystery and art. The tours follow routes divided by the cardinal directions and can be taken individually or in groups of at least 10 people with advance reservations (by phone or email); admission is €8, and hours are Monday through Sunday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Just as you can go pick out your Christmas tree at a nursery, at places like La Huerta de Aranjuez you can also choose your Halloween pumpkin, decorate it, take part in activities, and grab a snack right there on the spot.
From October 3 through November 7, events will take place one after another: tractor rides, pumpkin picking, a corn maze, a snack bar (corn on the cob + drink of your choice), among others that you can check out on the calendar on their website. This might just be one of the best activities on the list to share with kids.
MADHORROR, the major international festival dedicated to horror
This fall, Madrid will debut MADHORROR, a new international festival dedicated to horror, dark fantasy, and Halloween culture, to be held from October 30 to November 2, 2026, at IFEMA MADRID. With Álex de la Iglesia as the festival’s honorary patron, the first edition will bring together major icons of the genre such as Robert Englund, the unforgettable Freddy Krueger; Linda Blair, star of *The Exorcist*; and Malcolm McDowell, who played Alex DeLarge in *A Clockwork Orange*.
The venue will be transformed into an immersive experience spanning over 25,000 square meters, featuring haunted houses, experiences inspired by Japanese haunted houses, movies, video games, comics, and encounters with international guests. There will also be exhibitions dedicated to DDT’s special effects, the 40th anniversary of *Aliens*, and the universe of Chicho Ibáñez Serrador, making MADHORROR one of the must-do events for enjoying the Halloween long weekend in Madrid.