The 31st of October has long been celebrated here in The Canary Islands. A most traditional celebration where families gather and tell each other stories of family members long departed, ancestors of note, parents, grandparents, and the occasional spooky ghost story. Of course, US influences have seeped in over recent years, but the more traditional Canarians have always seen this as a great opportunity to reconnect with the past and munch on sweet chestnuts, freshly roasted over open fires, as each community gathers together to celebrate mid-autumn and remember their dead.
Whether it is the Christian Fiesta de Todos los Santos, the more pagan Halloween from which it comes, All Saints Eve, All Hallows’ Eve, the Canarian Noche de Finaos, which lead to the Mexican Day of the Dead or simply the Fiesta de la Castaña (the chestnut) there are plenty of seasonal celebrations going on this Thursday night all around Gran Canaria, and on into the weekend. The cemeteries will have extended opening hours for the families to visit. These days it’s a mix of traditions and commercial activities here and if it encourages a night out, many bars and restaurants will do their best to entertain and to frighten so dressing up is ALWAYS encouraged!
Friday, 1st of November 2024 is also a National bank holiday throughout Spain. Government buildings, offices and banks will be closed, including some of the Shopping centres and stores, so good idea to double check the opening hours before planning a shopping trip.
Here are just some of the events and festivities to celebrate on Gran Canaria!
NOCHE DE FINAOS/HALLOWEEN EVENTS IN THE SHOPPING CENTRES AND DISTRICTS:
Mogan Mall: Thursday 31 October: Terrifying Halloween parade at 19:30
Centro Comercial Atlántico Vecindario: Thursday 31 October :“How scary!” craft workshop from 17:00 to 20:00 (Ground floor area in front of Bata). Horror face painting from 17:00 to 20:00 (Ground floor area in front of Bata). How scary! Parades and scary interactions with different evil characters from 18:00 to 20:00
CC Las Terrazas: Thursday 31 October: Children activities, face painting and bouncy castle 16:30-19:30 and costume contest 17:00-19:00
Zona Triana, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria: Thursday 31 October: spooky and fun workshops and activities for the whole family 17:30-20:30.
Centro Comerial El Muelle becomes a Kingdom of Terror where there is no escape… surprises, scares, and fun guaranteed. eam with fear! 👻
30 Oct-1 Nov Passage of Terror from 18:00 to 21:00. Do you dare to enter? 😱 31 October: a crazy “Trick or Treat” from 19:00 to 21:30 for the little ones all over the ground floor! Come dressed up and brave enough to ask for sweets in every corner… if you dare! 🍬🎃
Also on the 31st, at 18:00 a terrifying show on the ground floor will leave you shaking from the first second. Don’t even think about missing it!
LAS PALMAS DE GRAN CANARIA
Town Hall: In 2024, Noche de Finados, The Night of the Dead invites us to a dramatized recreation, a dance of the dead, and tastings of roasted corns and chestnuts that will arrive courtesy of MercaLasPalmas. On Thursday, 31 October at 21:00 in the Alameda de Colón and 22:00 in the Plaza de Santa Ana.
Don’t miss the opportunity to find out how the population experienced the cholera epidemic in 1851. This dramatic episode of our recent history will be recreated by the Dragos y Laurel Association thanks to the support of the Instituto Canario de Las Tradiciones
The fun part and the dance will not be missing in a great event that has hosts as loved as they are admired: Los Gofiones
On the Night of the Dead in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the chestnut stands will multiply with four distribution points and the participants will raise their voices from three platforms raised in the Alameda de Colón
at 21:00 at Alameda de Colón: Ánimas, death without bells during the cholera of 1851
This representation, organized by the Dragos y Laurel Association, will evoke the tragic impact of the cholera epidemic that devastated Gran Canaria in the summer of 1851. Three small scenes will allow spectators to relive the most devastating moments of this health crisis, highlighting the measures adopted at that time, such as isolation and the closure of maritime connections. The recreation seeks not only to remember the past, but also to strengthen the link with the Canarian cultural identity.
at 22:00 Concert by Los Gofiones at Plaza de Santa Ana
The Gofiones liven up a night in which roasted chestnut and corn stalls multiply in the area
Thursday, 31 October: The 13th San Lorenzo Noche de Finaos
Chestnuts, garañones and toasted gofio
Artisan Crafts show from 8 to 11 pm, Folk performances, Theatrical performance at Casa Hermano Pedro
Everyone is invited, we look forward to seeing you!
SAN BARTOLOMÉ DE TIRAJANA
– “Noche de Finaos”- festivities organised by the Town Hall are suspended !!!
Celebrate the Canarian tradition of the Noche de Finaos! 🍂 on 30 and 31 October📍 Various locations in San Bartolomé de Tirajana
Relive the customs and share a magical night with chestnuts, anise, and the memory of our loved ones. See you at different locations!
Wednesday, 30 October October:
▪️ El Pajar (Outside the Cultural Centre) – 20:00
Thursday, 31 October:
▪️Cercados de Espino Cultural Centre – 18:30
▪️Fataga Intergenerational Centre – 19:00
▪️Tenderetunte Square, Tunte – 19:00
▪️Castillo del Romeral Cultural Centre – 19:00
▪️Juan Grande Intergenerational Centre – 19:00
▪️Pepe el Barbero Square, El Tablero – 19:30
▪️AAVV Famara, Aldea Blanca – 20:30
▪️Maspalomas Cultural Centre – 20:30
SANTA BRÍGIDA
On Thursday, 31 October Santa Brígida will be filled with music, traditions, and flavours with the celebration of the Noche de Finaos, a popular festival that takes place on the eve of All Saints’ Day, and whose origins date back to the times when daily life was linked to the land and shepherding and families shared stories of loved ones who had already passed away.
The Noche de Finaos will feature the Parranda La Polvajera group and the Municipal School of Folklore, who will delight us with their traditional repertoire in the Municipal Park starting at 20:00, in addition to the roasted chestnuts, an essential part of this festival, as well as typical products, nuts, and wine.
This event, organised by the Santa Brígida Town Council, through the Festivities Department, with the invaluable collaboration of the various neighbourhood associations and groups, brings us together again around our traditions, with the present memory of those who have passed away, and in a desire to keep alive the beliefs and traditions that have shaped our culture.
ARUCAS
Divina Muerte – program offers a wide range of activities, including exhibitions, workshops, conferences and performances in various spaces in the municipality between 18 October – 17 November 2024. Join us to relive these moments full of art, culture, and reflection on one of the most universal themes
31 October:
at 17:00 Halloween workshops at Plaza de Constitución
at 20:00 SCARY ESCAPE ROOM – GOURIÈ PSYCHIATRIC CENTRE. Casa Gouriè. Arucas Municipal Museum. *Limited places on a first-come, first-served basis
at 20:30 Traditional Mexican dances and recital bt Elías Luche at Plaza de la Constitución
at 21:00 A lively street parade of “the Dead” Departure from the Plaza de la Constitución and tour through the streets of the historic centre.
Participants: Urban Family Dance School, Whisper Dance Academy, and Batucada “Caribe Creando Escuela”
at 22:00 Halloween concert by Última Llave, Alberto Déniz, Tótem at Plaza de la Constitución.
SANTA MARIA DE GUÍA
The Night of Terror in Santa María de Guía. A day full of surprises to have a scary time on Thursday 31 October 2024. 🎃
From 16:00, free activities for all ages
THE HOUSE OF WITCHES AND MONSTERS
from 16:00 to 21:00 in ‘las catacumbas’ (ages 4 to 12 years)
👉🏼ROUTE ALONG THE CURSED PATH
from 16:00 to 23:00 with the meeting point at Calle Canónigo Gordillo 10
👉🏼THE CURSED ORPHANAGE
From 17:00 to 23:00 at the House of Culture
👉🏼PLAZA DE LOS HORRORES – SQUARE OF HORRORS
16:00 to 21:30 in the Plaza Grande
Music at Plaza Grande from 21:00 to 01:30
TRIBUTE TO COLDPLAYDJ DIABLOLOS SALVAPANTALLAS
AGÜIMES
The Casa de la Cultura del Cruce de Arinaga will host a new edition of the Pasaje del Terror, The Passage of Terror on Saturday, November 2. The creators will be, once again, the boys and girls who regularly participate in the activities of the municipal Youth Department and who regularly attend the Youth Space of the municipality, where for weeks they have been preparing the characterizations and scary stories that will form part of the show, which will be inspired on this occasion by a fictional and ghostly town at the top of Gran Canaria.
This new edition of the Passage of Terror will have two sessions. The first will take place between 17:30 and 18:30, and will be aimed at children. The second, which will take place between 19:30 and 22:30, will only be suitable for people over 12 years old. Admission will be free, although a charitable donation of one kilo of non-perishable products or personal hygiene products is requested, which will be destined for families with fewer resources.
VALSEQUILLO DE GRAN CANARIA
As every year, the village of Tenteniguada will celebrate the traditional FINAOS night of the Municipality of Valsequillo G. C.
The residents will entertain visitors at Plaza Nueva de Tenteniguada with roast chestnuts, carnival tortillas, bread with chorizo, and other products from our land.
The evening will be enlivened by good Canarian music by different parranda. From 18:00 Children’s activities and at 20:30 Canarian Music
MOGÁN
🦇 TUNNEL OF TERROR | 24 OCTOBER – 4 NOVEMBER
On the occasion of Halloween, one of the popular walkways in Playa de Mogán will be the ‘Tunnel of Terror’ for a few days. Come and cross it… if you dare. 👉 Free entry.
HALLOWEEN 2024 – CASCO DE MOGÁN/MOGÁN PUEBLO | 31 OCTOBER **** SUSPENDED***
The Youth Department of the Mogán City Council is organising a very chilling evening on October 31 to celebrate Halloween.
📍 Plaza Sarmiento y Coto, Mogán town centre starting at 20:00
FUN WORKSHOPS
COSTUME COMPETITION: Individual and Group categories. Prizes: breakfasts/snacks at the kiosk establishment in Plaza Sarmiento y Coto.
HOUSE OF TERROR ‘𝐋𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐑𝐆𝐔𝐄’: inside there will be very scary scenes dramatized by a team of actors who will bring to life peculiar characters under a carefully designed set. ** Children under 12 years old must enter with an adult **
There are also special events for the HOUSE OF TERROR.
🎟️It is essential to book tickets at agendamogan.es
🦇 NOCHE DE FINAOS | FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER **** SUSPENDED ***
The El Mocán Folkloric and Cultural Association, with the collaboration of the Mogán City Council through its Artistic Schools (EEAA), organises the Noche de Finaos on Friday, 1 November November.
It will be held in the Plaza Sarmiento y Coto in the historic centre (aka Pueblo de Mogán, Mogán casco), starting at 19:30 with the popular chestnut barbecue, theatrical performance, and traditional songs and dances of the archipelago.
