Festivals
October is another month packed with festivals in Spain (which month isn’t?). One of the biggest celebrations is the Fiestas del Pilar in Zaragoza around October 12th. There’s a whole host of activities planned including a mass floral offering, processions and fireworks. Then from October 4th – 12th the Galician city of Lugo celebrates the Fiestas de San Froilán, a festival of traditional Galician culture. Another festival in Galicia this month is the O Grove Seafood Festival from the 2nd to the 12th. And, on the theme of food, Consuegra’s Saffron Rose Festival also takes place this month in Castilla-La Mancha. In Crevillant in Valencia, the Moors and Christians Festival also takes place on October 4th and 5th.
Of course this the month of Halloween too, and while Spain doesn’t traditionally celebrate it the way they do in the US, they do have some of their own celebrations such as the O Samaín Celtic festival in Galicia and La Castanyada chesnut festival in Catalonia. Spain’s big cities such as Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia will inevitably have some more of the typical spooky Halloween events too.
READ ALSO: Is Spain's Galicia the true birthplace of Halloween?
Clocks change
This October the clocks go back by an hour and winter closes in with shorter days. This year it will take place in the early hours of Sunday October 26th.
Free Bank of Spain Tours
This October the Bank of Spain, located in Madrid, will hold an open doors programme allowing for free visits. The programme aims to make historical and artistic heritage more accessible to the public. It will be open on Fridays and weekends, as well as on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4pm (with tours led by volunteers). You can book tickets here.
Doctors' strike in Andalusia
The Andalusian Medical Union (SMA) has called a general strike for October 3rd , urging all doctors in Spain to participate in defence of their profession and public healthcare overall.
"We physicians cannot continue to tolerate the current situation of disrespect, unfair working conditions, unmanageable workloads, and gruelling workdays. This cannot continue."
Up to 30,000 medical professionals took part in the last strike in the southern region on June 13th.
Spanish unions call mass pro-Palestine rallies for all job sectors
Two of Spain’s biggest unions the UGT and the CCOO have called for a “jornada de lucha” (day to fight) in support of Palestine on October 15th in "all private and public workplaces throughout the country”. They want enough people to have a sufficient presence to “denounce the genocide committed by the Israeli state”.
EXPLAINED: Why is Spain so openly pro-Palestine?
EU’s new EES system to begin
The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is due to kick off on October 12th with a six-month phased introduction. It means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by April 10th 2026.
Travellers will now have to complete EES pre-registration or provide biometrics, which is set to replace manual passport stamping. It applies to non-EU nationals, for both those who need a short stay visa for European countries and those who don’t. It does not apply to non-EU citizens who have residency in Spain or the other countries in the EU.
READ ALSO:
- Your questions answered about EES and ETIAS
- Spain to launch EES on October 12th at Madrid-Barajas airport
Spain’s National Day on October 12th
Spain celebrates its national day on October 12th with several events across the country. Madrid holds a huge military parade along the city’s Paseo de la Castellana and Málaga holds a military procession in its Parque Huelin. There are also celebrations in Huelva and Zaragoza.
Be aware though, some regions don’t celebrate this day at all, even though it’s usually public holiday throughout the country (not this year). There won’t be any special events for it places such as Catalonia or the Basque Country. Many Latin Americans in Spain will also not be celebrating this day as it marks the so-called 'discovery' of the Americas by Christopher Columbus (Cristóbal Colón in Spanish).
READ ALSO: How Spain celebrates its National Day (and why many aren't happy about it)
Driving theory test changes
Driving licence tests will undergo significant changes starting in October, which will be fully implemented by the DGT in 2026. The theory test with 30 questions will remain, but short videos will also be included in the test. It will mean it will be easier for drivers to interpret dangerous situations. These types of questions are already being used in the UK and France. The question bank will also be updated with the new traffic signs which have been effect from July 1st, 2025.
Architecture days
Several cities across Spain hold weeks or weekends dedicated to architecture in which special buildings open to the public. Madrid Architecture Week will take place from October 3rd – 12th and as well as visits to buildings, there will be guided routes, exhibitions, courses and lectures. On October 25th and 26th Barcelona will host its 48H Open House event in which people can enjoy free tours around some of the city’s emblematic buildings, not usually open to the public.
Home renovation funds available in Madrid
Madrid will open the application period for the new Rehabilitation Plan grants on October 1st. The total funding will be €50 million and is expected to benefit more than 14,000 families. The grants cover between 40 and 90 percent of the cost of accessibility, conservation, energy efficiency, and other projects such as asbestos removal. Since the plan was launched in 2020, Madrid City Council has allocated €268 million to renovate more than 110,000 homes in the capital.
Granada gets low-emissions zone
From October 1st, 2025, the Andalusian city of Granada will implement its low-emissions zone in a bid to reduce pollution and improve air quality and meet EU standards. This is especially important in Granada as it's one of the provincial capitals with the highest pollution levels. Legally the ZBE has been in place since April, when the ordinance changes were approved, but in practice, the effects haven't be seen as fines were not being issued. This meant prohibited vehicles continued to enter.
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