October in Spain is crisp air, harvest flavours and a stack of very local traditions. If you’re sketching things to do in autumn, think vineyard tastings, hikes in the sierras, a last Mediterranean dip while the water’s still kind, and Open House weekends that unlock usually closed buildings.
Things to do in Spain in October 2025
12 October – Fiesta Nacional de España (Día de la Hispanidad)
Spain’s National Day brings military pageantry to the capital and civic ceremonies across the country. The headline parade runs through central Madrid, with a flypast and plenty of pomp.
- Date: Sunday, 12th October 2025
- Where: Main parade in central Madrid, plus ceremonies in many regional capitals
- Getting in: Arrive early for a decent viewing spot; expect airport-style security, bag checks and road closures near the route
Open House architecture weekends
For one weekend per city, normally off-limits buildings open their doors. You can peek inside private homes, modernist gems and civic icons with volunteer-led tours.
Where: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Bilbao and other participating cities
Dates: Various weekends in October 2025 (programmes typically released in early autumn)
- Madrid: 25th to 28th September
- Bilbao: 29th September to 5th October
- Valencia: 24th, 25th, 26th October
- Barcelona: 25th and 26th October
Access: Many sites are free, although popular ones require advance, timed reservations
Language: Tours are usually in Spanish, but some offer English—check listings
Mushroom season (Jornadas Micológicas)
Autumn means guided foraging, tiny town markets and seasonal tasting menus that let chefs show off the woods’ best. It’s a brilliant excuse to escape to the low mountains and oak or pine forests.
- Dates: Throughout October 2025, with some areas continuing into early November, depending on rainfall
- Where: Castilla y León (Soria and surroundings), Aragón, La Rioja, Navarra, Catalonia (Pre-Pyrenees), Basque Country
- How it works: Many municipalities run guided walks; some forests require day permits or set daily quotas.
Oktoberfest-style beer festivals
Think long tables, oompah bands and litre steins, but with Spanish scheduling and food trucks. City venues run weekend sessions with live music and Bavarian-style bites.
Where: Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Zaragoza, plus many other cities around Spain.
Dates: Selected weekends throughout October 2025
- Madrid: 4th and 5th October
- Bilbao: 9th October
- Barcelona: 2th to 19th October
- Seville: 3rd to 5th October
- Zaragoza: 3rd to 19th October
Entry: Free access or small fees depending on the venue. Prime evening tables typically need reservations
Fiestas del Pilar, Zaragoza
Zaragoza’s biggest week, Pilar Festival, celebrates its patron with huge street processions, concerts and the stunning flower offering, the Ofrenda de Flores, filling Plaza del Pilar with colour and incense. Expect fireworks, food stalls and a lively, very local buzz.
- Dates: Mid-October 2025, centred on Sunday 12th October. The festival runs from the 4th to the 13th
- Location: Zaragoza city centre, especially Plaza del Pilar, the Ebro riverfront and stages around the Casco Viejo
- Tickets: Most outdoor events are free, but headline concerts and theatre shows are ticketed
Autumn winery open days and harvest events
As wine harvesting, or vendimia, winds down, wineries open the cellar doors for tastings, vineyard walks and harvest wrap parties. It’s a gentle way to learn the regions before planning a longer wine trip.
- Dates: Early to mid-October 2025, with some areas extending later depending on the harvest
- Where: La Rioja, Ribera del Duero, Penedès, Priorat, Rías Baixas, with options in Navarra and Somontano
- Language: Many estates offer English-friendly visits—ask when enquiring
Sitges – Fantastic Film Festival
One of Europe’s essential genre film gatherings, mixing premieres, retrospectives and late-night horror marathons with a seaside backdrop. Sitges Film Festival’s vibe is part cinephile summit, part beach-town carnival.
- Dates: 9th to 19th October 2025
- Location: Sitges (Barcelona province), with screenings at Auditori Meliá Sitges, Cine Prado and Retiro, plus events along the seafront
- Tickets/passes: Festival passes and single tickets release in waves
- Language: Many screenings are VOSE (original version with Spanish subtitles), but check listing notes for dubbing
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