Chestnut festivals in Spain: best places, dates and travel tips

The chestnut festivals in Spain tend to come alive from the last two weeks of October through All Saints’ Day on 1st November. Towns light braziers, streets smell of roasted chestnuts, and families gather for seasonal sweets, filling Spain's events calendar with autumnal activity

Catalonia and Barcelona

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Barcelona and towns across Catalonia mark La Castanyada with street roasts, paper cones of hot chestnuts, sweet potatoes and trays of almond-and-pine-nut panellets. The peak is the long weekend around 1st November, when you’ll find stalls near markets and on busy pedestrian streets as well as in neighbourhood squares. 

Expect most stands to run afternoons into the evening, and bring small change for cones. Central areas draw big queues, so late afternoon the day before is a calmer bet. 

Málaga province (Costa del Sol)

Pujerra, tucked into the Serranía de Ronda, hosts the Fiesta de la Castaña with local producers, tastings, music and a proper village feel. It usually lands in late October or early November, with events clustered over a weekend. Driving from Málaga or Marbella is the simplest route; the roads are scenic but winding, and parking fills up quickly during peak hours.

Most of the village programme is free, though special tastings or guided farm visits may carry a fee. Expect plenty of roasted chestnuts, seasonal pastries and stalls selling local goods. 

Valencian Community (Alicante)

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The town of Cocentaina hosts a centuries‑old All Saints’ fair that takes over the historic centre. There's a vast medieval market, artisan stalls, livestock and farm machinery displays, live performances and plenty of street food, roasted chestnuts included. It typically runs across the All Saints’ long weekend and draws huge crowds.

Northern Spain (Galicia, Asturias, León)

Up north, the mood is more rural, and the chestnut festivals have their own name: Magusto in Galicia and Amagüestu in Asturias. You'll find woodland walks, small-town markets and outdoor roasts that hinge on the weather. Expect cooler evenings and earlier sunsets, so layers help if you’re staying for the music. Many events run on weekends between late October and early November, with co-operatives and councils hosting tastings or workshops.

A car makes life easier for hopping between villages, though regional trains and buses cover larger hubs. Open-air roasts are usually free, while organised tastings or guided walks may charge. 

Things to do in Spain in October

Beyond chestnuts, October is stacked with culture, food and spooky-season fun right across the country. The best plans and events in October in Madrid range from big-name exhibitions to outdoor film nights. And autumn in Valencia involves free concerts and a tortilla competition. Food-wise, eating and drinking at Halloween in Spain brings out seasonal treats like panellets, huesos de santo and steaming hot chocolate. Halloween in Spain, 2025, features street parades, costume parties and family workshops, and more.

Adriano Rei, CC BY-SA 4.0 Creative commons