Halloween celebrations and other weekend events are being cancelled or postponed in parts of the Canary Islands following the tragic train accident in Toledo, as Spain observes three days of national mourning.
The mourning period runs from today (Thursday) until midnight on Saturday, coinciding with one of the busiest weekends of the year for Halloween activities.
Several councils have already suspended public celebrations as a mark of respect for the victims and their families, while schools and event organisers are also reviewing their plans.
With different decisions being made across the islands, residents and holidaymakers are being urged to check individual events before travelling, as some celebrations have been postponed, others cancelled, and some may still go ahead.
Tenerife: Halloween plans affected
In Tenerife, councils including Adeje, Arona and Santa Cruz de Tenerife have joined the national mourning period.
Adeje Council has announced the postponement of extraordinary social and cultural activities scheduled between Thursday 29th October and Sunday morning, 1st November.
The council is expected to provide further details of the events affected and their new dates on Friday 30th October.
Among the activities originally advertised was a major free Halloween celebration in La Postura on Saturday evening, featuring horror tunnels, children's workshops and an inflatable castle. Anyone planning to attend should check whether this event is affected before travelling.
Meanwhile, Arona and Santa Cruz de Tenerife have declared official mourning, although their announcements do not automatically mean that all Halloween events in those municipalities have been cancelled.
Some schools are also making changes and asking children not to attend in Halloween costumes as originally planned, out of respect for the mourning period.
Parents are advised to check messages from their children's schools, as Halloween activities and fancy-dress days may be affected.
Gran Canaria: Major celebrations cancelled or postponed
Some of the biggest cancellations announced so far are in Gran Canaria.
In Maspalomas, the popular Maspaterror Halloween event, which was due to take place at Parque Sur on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st October, has been postponed. New dates have not yet been announced.
San Bartolomé de Tirajana Council has also postponed its traditional Canarian Day of the Dead celebrations.
In Mogán, council-organised Halloween activities scheduled for Saturday have been cancelled, including the House of Terror, fancy-dress competition and children's workshops.
Traditional Day of the Dead celebrations in Arguineguín and Mogán have also been suspended.
These Canarian celebrations, traditionally known as Finaos, bring families and communities together to remember loved ones who have died, often with roasted chestnuts, traditional music and storytelling.
In Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the council has suspended festive events planned during the three days of mourning.
Other municipalities, including Arucas and Vega de San Mateo, have also announced cancellations or postponements affecting Halloween and traditional celebrations.
Lanzarote: Check before attending planned events
In Lanzarote, councils and public institutions have joined the national mourning period, but specific Halloween cancellations have not yet been independently confirmed.
A number of celebrations had been advertised across the island, including Halloween parades and a House of Terror in Puerto del Carmen, traditional Canarian Day of the Dead celebrations in Tías, and family activities in other municipalities.
In Tías, the original programme included music, theatre, roasted chestnuts and traditional entertainment on Friday, followed by Halloween activities on Saturday.
However, these programmes were published before the latest mourning announcements, and visitors should not assume that all advertised activities will go ahead as originally planned.
Anyone intending to attend celebrations in Puerto del Carmen, Tías, Playa Blanca or elsewhere in Lanzarote should check directly with the relevant council or organiser.
Fuerteventura: Halloween events awaiting confirmation
In Fuerteventura, major Halloween celebrations had also been planned for this weekend.
In Corralejo, the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, La Oliva Council and local business association Empronor had advertised a programme of family activities running until Saturday 31st October.
The event, called Ven a Pasarlo de Miedo en Halloween, was set to include horror attractions, an escape room, children's workshops, fancy-dress activities and entertainment in the town's shopping area.
Halloween activities were also advertised in Puerto del Rosario.
At the time of publication, no official cancellation notice has been independently verified for these events.
Families and visitors are therefore advised to check the latest announcements from organisers before making the journey.
Check before travelling this Halloween weekend
Although Spain's national mourning period lasts until midnight on Saturday 31st October, it does not automatically mean every Halloween event, private party or entertainment activity across the Canary Islands has been cancelled.
Some councils have postponed celebrations until November, while others have suspended events without announcing replacement dates.
Sunday 1st November falls outside the official mourning period, meaning some postponed activities may take place then.
Residents and tourists planning to attend Halloween celebrations are advised to check official council websites, social media pages and event organisers for the latest information before setting off.
