Autumn Festivals in Spain: The Best Events from September to November

Autumn is one of Spain’s most rewarding seasons to visit. The heat of summer has passed, leaving warm days and cooler evenings that make it easier to enjoy outdoor events. With the vineyards turning golden, the mountain landscapes showing their autumn colours, and city streets buzzing with local celebrations, the season offers a side of Spain many travellers overlook.

Weather and Seasonal Charm

From September to November, most regions of Spain enjoy pleasant daytime temperatures. Early autumn often sees the low to mid-20s, before gradually cooling as winter approaches. This makes it easier to enjoy street parades, open-air concerts, and food festivals without the extremes of summer. Wine regions such as La Rioja and Ribera del Duero are especially beautiful during harvest, when the countryside is painted in autumn colours and locals celebrate the end of the grape season.

Authentic Cultural Experiences

What makes autumn stand out is the authenticity of its traditional festivals in Spain.. Unlike summer events such as San Fermín or La Tomatina, which are now major international spectacles, autumn celebrations remain more closely tied to local communities. Whether it is a chestnut feast in Galicia, a mushroom fair in Castilla y León, or the iconic Fiesta del Pilar in Zaragoza, these festivals give you a deeper connection to Spanish culture. Travelling in autumn also means fewer tourists, smaller crowds, and the chance to experience Spain in a more genuine way.

September Festivals in Spain

As summer draws to a close, things to do in Spain in September are often tied to festivals, with the month’s celebrations setting the tone for autumn. These events mix ancient tradition with modern celebrations, and they are some of the most spectacular ways to begin the season.

La Mercè in Barcelona

Barcelona’s La Mercè Festival is one of the city’s biggest annual celebrations, held in honour of its patron saint. Across several days in late September, the city comes alive with parades, concerts, fireworks, and human towers known as castells. One of the most dramatic highlights is the Correfoc, or fire run, where performers dressed as devils race through the streets with sparklers and fireworks.

If you plan to attend, book your accommodation early as the city fills quickly. A guided walking tour can help you navigate the festivities and learn the stories behind traditions like the castells. And if you want to make the most of your time in the city, there are also plenty of unusual things to do in Barcelona beyond the festival itself.

San Mateo Festival, Logroño (La Rioja)

In the heart of La Rioja wine country, the San Mateo Festival celebrates the annual grape harvest. This week-long event in Logroño features parades, music, fireworks, and the iconic grape-stomping ceremony, where locals crush grapes by foot to mark the start of the winemaking season. Food and wine are central to the celebration, with countless opportunities to sample Rioja wines alongside traditional tapas.

This is an ideal time to experience the culture of Spain’s most famous wine region. Many travellers combine the festival with vineyard tours, making September the perfect month for wine lovers.

October Festivals in Spain

By October, Spain is deep into its festival season. The month combines religious devotion, cultural traditions, and international events that draw visitors from around the world while still keeping a strong local character.

Fiesta del Pilar, Zaragoza

The Fiesta del Pilar in Zaragoza is one of Spain’s most important religious festivals, held in honour of Our Lady of the Pillar, the city’s patron saint. The centrepiece is the offering of flowers, where thousands of people dressed in traditional costumes bring bouquets to create a vast floral display in the main square. Alongside the religious events, the week features concerts, theatre, and fireworks, creating a blend of tradition and modern celebration.

Zaragoza, one of Spain’s oldest cities, provides the perfect backdrop for the Fiesta del Pilar, with its Roman, Moorish, and Christian history adding extra depth to the experience.

Sitges Film Festival

Just south of Barcelona, the coastal town of Sitges hosts the International Fantastic Film Festival of Catalonia, best known as the Sitges Film Festival. This world-renowned event celebrates horror, fantasy, and science fiction, attracting filmmakers and fans from across the globe. Screenings take place in multiple venues, often spilling into the streets with themed parades and costumes.

If you’re a film lover, this is one of the most unique cultural events in Spain’s autumn calendar. Accommodation sells out quickly, so book well in advance if you plan to attend. Between screenings, you can also enjoy some of the best restaurants in Sitges, making the festival a perfect mix of cinema and gastronomy.

Cava Week, Catalonia

October also brings Cava Week, celebrated across Catalonia with a focus on Spain’s iconic sparkling wine. Vineyards and cellars open their doors for tastings, tours, and special events, particularly around the Penedès wine region near Barcelona. For travellers looking to combine culture with gastronomy, this is an excellent opportunity to learn about cava production and sample it at the source.

Pairing a cava tasting with a trip to Barcelona or Sitges makes for a perfect autumn escape.

November Festivals in Spain

By November, the weather cools further, yet Spain’s calendar remains rich with tradition. From solemn religious observances to rural food festivals, this is the month when local customs shine brightest.

All Saints’ Day (Día de Todos los Santos)

On 1st November, Spain observes All Saints’ Day, a religious holiday dedicated to remembering loved ones. Families visit cemeteries, decorating graves with flowers and gathering to honour their ancestors. As with so many Spanish traditions, food plays a central role. Bakeries prepare seasonal treats such as panellets in Catalonia and huesos de santo (saints’ bones) in Madrid. For those spending autumn in Madrid, bakeries are filled with seasonal sweets such as huesos de santo, which are enjoyed across the city.

Travellers will find this day both moving and fascinating. It is an opportunity to witness a tradition that blends solemn reflection with culinary heritage.

Magosto Chestnut Festivals (Galicia, León, Asturias)

In the north of Spain, the arrival of autumn is marked by the Magosto chestnut festivals. Villages and towns in Galicia, Asturias, and León gather around bonfires to roast chestnuts, drink local wine, and celebrate the changing season. These festivals are communal events, often with music, dancing, and storytelling late into the night.

Magosto offers a very different experience to Spain’s large city festivals. It is rooted in rural life and gives travellers a chance to see the warm, communal spirit of the north.

Mushroom Festivals in Castilla y León and Catalonia

November is also mushroom season in many parts of Spain. Mushroom festivals celebrate this with foraging tours, markets, and cookery demonstrations. In Castilla y León, towns like Soria are famous for their micological fairs, while in Catalonia, the forests of the Pyrenees attract visitors in search of wild fungi.

These festivals are a paradise for food lovers, offering a chance to taste traditional dishes that showcase the season’s harvest. Some tours even take visitors into the forests to learn the art of mushroom picking first-hand.

Best Autumn Food and Drink Festivals

If there is one thing that unites Spain’s autumn celebrations, it is the importance of food and drink. From north to south, the season brings with it harvests, tastings, and gatherings where gastronomy takes centre stage.

Wine lovers will find September and October the most exciting months. The San Mateo Festival in La Rioja and countless smaller wine harvest festivals across Castilla-La Mancha, Catalonia, and Andalusia mark the end of the grape season. Visitors can sample the year’s new wines, enjoy parades, and even take part in traditional grape-stomping ceremonies.

November, on the other hand, is the time of gastronomy fairs and seasonal produce. Mushroom festivals in Castilla y León and Catalonia highlight local cooking, while the Magosto chestnut feasts in Galicia bring communities together around bonfires and wine. These events are often less known internationally but offer some of the most authentic culinary experiences in Spain.

Food festivals are also the perfect way to experience regional identity. From roasted chestnuts in the north to cava tastings in Catalonia, every event tells a story about the land and the people who live there.

Practical Tips for Experiencing Autumn Festivals in Spain

Planning ahead is key if you want to enjoy Spain’s autumn festivals to the fullest. From transport to packing, a little preparation will help you make the most of your trip.

Travel and Transport

Spain has an excellent transport network, making it easy to reach festival cities and smaller towns. High-speed trains connect major hubs like Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia, while regional trains and buses link smaller destinations such as Logroño or Soria. Booking tickets early is advisable during festival weeks, as services can fill quickly.

What to Pack for Autumn in Spain

Autumn weather in Spain can vary depending on the region. In September, light clothing works well for warmer afternoons, but by November you will need layers and a jacket for cooler evenings. Comfortable walking shoes are essential, as many festivals involve standing, walking, or joining street parades. An umbrella or rain jacket can also be useful, especially in northern regions like Galicia and Asturias, where showers are more common.