Cartagena rolls out citywide Halloween programme

The Youth Department of Cartagena City Council, together with neighbourhood associations and local organisations, has put together an extensive Halloween programme running across the municipality from Cuesta Blanca to La Manga. Most activities are free and run between 30 October and 7 November.

A highlight of the T-LA (Tiempo Libre Alternativo) schedule is the XI contest «En Ocasiones Veo Cortos», scheduled for Friday 31 October at 21:00 at the Centro de Recursos Juveniles (Paseo Alfonso XIII, 53). The festival features two sections — Main and Young Filmmakers — awards of €600 and €250, and this year received a record 123 entries from 11 countries; the audience will vote for the winner.

Events begin on 30 October with the Diseña Halloween workshop (16:30–17:30) at the José María LaPuerta Urban Garden for 12–18 year‑olds; registrations are handled via tla@ayto-cartagena.es. On 31 October there are free workshops that require prior sign-up, including a Witches and Wizards Cooking Workshop, a Horror Film Dubbing session and a creative Halloween Mugs workshop (now full).

One of the most popular activities is Terror en el Bosque at the Galerías Flamenco shopping centre (km 4, La Manga), marking its 19th edition with a children’s area from 19:00 and a terror tunnel and live music from 22:00. On 1 November the interactive scare attraction Academia Jaja – El Laberinto runs on Calle Balcones Azules (20:00–01:00), for groups of 4–6 participants; admission is free on a first‑come basis and the 20:00 slot is adapted for reduced mobility.

Neighbourhood associations will host local events including games, costume parades and terror circuses in Los Barreros, San Ginés and Galifa. Los Dolores holds a community Halloween on 1 November at Plaza Virgen de las Ánimas (17:00–22:00) with face painting, free popcorn, a children’s escape room and magic. Cuesta Blanca will screen children’s horror films and run age‑specific scare passages on 7 November.

The programme also offers a youth trip to PortAventura on 8–9 November with transport and hotel included, aimed at 12–35 year‑olds; places are nearly full. Full details and registration information are available on the Youth website and the city’s Agenda Ciudad at www.cartagena.es.