Manilva is preparing for two days of Halloween activities on Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October 2026, with a programme featuring children’s entertainment, a themed market, a remembrance gathering, a late-night party and the return of the haunted attraction at Castillo de la Duquesa. Most of the celebrations take place on Friday, with a second opportunity to brave the castle’s horrors on Saturday evening.
The family celebrations begin at Plaza de la Vendimia in Manilva village on Friday 30 October, running from 4 pm to 10.30 pm. The square will host Halloween attractions, workshops, face painting, performances and prize draws, with local school parents’ associations helping to organise the afternoon.
Entry costs €3, including a children’s snack and participation in the AMPAs’ prize draws, with proceeds supporting the participating parents’ associations. A quiet hour from 4 pm to 5 pm will offer a more comfortable environment for people with sensitivity to noise.
From 6 pm on Friday, nearby Calle Mar will welcome a special Halloween esoteric market organised by El Rincón de Nelly. Visitors can browse crystals, candles, crafts and herbs, alongside tarot and other esoteric offerings, adding another stop to an evening in the village.
A quieter, reflective gathering takes place at the CIVIMA auditorium at 8 pm on Friday. Entitled En honor a los que no están — In honour of those who are no longer with us — the event combines a sound bath with readings to remember loved ones and recognise their continuing place in our lives. Proposed by Trinidad Aguilar, the gathering requires advance registration by calling 682 63 98 07.
For those who prefer their Halloween with a good scare, Castillo de la Duquesa will host Pasaje del Terror — 140 Tumbas on both Friday 30 and Saturday 31 October.
Students from Manilva’s Municipal School of Music, Dance and Theatre will bring the haunted attraction to life, in an event organised with the Town Hall’s Culture Department. On both evenings, sessions run every 15 minutes, from 8 pm to 10 pm, then again from 10.45 pm until midnight.
Tickets cost €3, with proceeds going to AMPA Crescendo, and are available from Papelería Ingenio in Manilva and Cafetería Nenit in Sabinillas.
Back in Manilva village, Friday’s celebrations continue at Plaza de la Vendimia from 11 pm, with a Halloween party featuring DJ David Rojas and a 360-degree video booth.
The fancy-dress competition is open to young people aged 14 to 18, with €300 for the winning group and €100 for the best individual costume. Competition rules are available through the Town Hall’s electronic office at www.manilva.es. The celebration supports the IES Las Viñas students’ end-of-year trip.
Although early publicity described the late-night event as alcohol-free, a subsequent RTV Manilva announcement states that beer and tinto de verano will be sold to adults.
With Friday’s programme stretching from afternoon activities into the early hours, and the haunted castle returning on Saturday, there are several ways to celebrate Halloween locally — whether you are planning an outing with the children, getting creative with a group costume or testing your nerve at 140 Tumbas.
