November Fun
- Usman Kadiri
- Nov 3, 2025
- 2 min read
When summer fades and the crowds disappear, Spain in November reveals a different side of itself. This is the time when the country slows down, villages open their doors for traditional harvest celebrations, and cities turn to cultural festivals instead of peak tourist season. For those who live here, it’s one of the best months to step outside familiar routines and experience Spain as it really is.
Just before the month begins, the small mountain village of Pujerra (Málaga) holds its annual Chestnut Festival — typically at the end of October and over the first weekend of November. Visitors gather for roast chestnuts, local music in the village square and authentic local flavour. It’s an example of how rural towns preserve their traditions.
A few days later, the village of Alcaucín (Málaga) hosts its own chestnut celebration on Sunday 2 November 2025. Smaller than Pujerra’s but just as warm, it offers a genuine way to enjoy local culture without large crowds.
As the month goes on, olive country comes into its own. In Baena (Córdoba), the Jornadas del Olivar y del Aceite brings tastings and open mills in mid-November, with weekday activities announced locally each year. Visiting during the week gives you a close-up view of the harvest without the weekend rush.
November is also a rich month for culture, and this year’s calendar is packed with weekday events worth noting:
- International Sherry Week (Andalucía) — Monday 3 to Sunday 9 November 2025
- Gaditanoir (Cádiz) — Wednesday 5 to Friday 7 November 2025
- Málaga International Jazz Festival — Monday 3 to Tuesday 11 November 2025 (weekday concerts on 3–7 & 10–11 November)
- Seville European Film Festival (SEFF) — Friday 7 to Saturday 15 November 2025 (weekday screenings from 10 to 14 November)
- Huelva Ibero-American Film Festival — Friday 14 to Saturday 22 November 2025 (weekday programming from 17 to 21 November)
- SICAB – International Horse Show (Seville) — Tuesday 18 to Sunday 23 November 2025 (weekday programme 18 to 21 November)
Outside the festivals, November is simply a lovely time to be in Spain. The beaches are quiet, markets overflow with chestnuts, citrus fruits, pomegranates and mushrooms, and travel is calmer and more affordable. It’s a month made for exploring without pressure.
November doesn’t shout. It hums with real life — chestnut smoke in the air, the scent of fresh olive oil, a weekday film screening, a stroll through a quiet market. For anyone living in Spain, it’s a season that shows why this country is special far beyond the summer sun.
Tip: For exact schedules and venues, check each organiser’s official listings; weekday options are highlighted above so readers can plan confidently without relying on weekend dates.
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