Plaza Mayor celebrates Halloween 2026 with a free haunted garden experience for families in Málaga

Halloween is coming to Plaza Mayor with a free experience for families looking for something different to do in Málaga this weekend. From Friday, October 30, to Sunday, November 1, 2026, the shopping centre's gardens will be transformed into a mysterious world filled with ghostly encounters, unexpected surprises and interactive challenges designed for visitors of all ages.

The main attraction will be The Garden of Lost Souls (El Jardín de las Almas Perdidas), an immersive Halloween adventure in which visitors will explore different themed settings and take part in a mission to capture escaped ghosts.

The experience will be available every evening from 7 pm to 10 pm, with free admission. Children who complete the adventure will also have the opportunity to continue the celebrations by trick-or-treating at participating shops.

The Garden of Lost Souls transforms Plaza Mayor into a mysterious Halloween setting

For three nights, the gardens at Plaza Mayor shopping centre will take on a completely different appearance, becoming a Halloween-themed adventure filled with spooky decorations and mysterious characters.

The experience invites families to enter an imaginary world where several lost souls have escaped and must be captured.

To complete their mission, participants will have to make their way through four themed areas, featuring atmospheric sound effects, special decorations and unexpected ghostly appearances.

The attraction will combine traditional Halloween elements, including cobwebs, ghosts and dark settings, with an interactive storyline that encourages visitors to become part of the adventure.

From the Portal of Mist to the Ghost Hunters' Refuge

The adventure will begin at The Portal of Mist (El Portal de la Niebla), one of the specially designed areas created for the event.

From there, participants will explore different mysterious settings before reaching The Ghost Hunters' Refuge (El Refugio de los Cazadores de Fantasmas), where the experience will come to an end.

Along the way, visitors will encounter characters and surprises designed to create a spooky but entertaining atmosphere.

The organisers have not revealed full details of every area, leaving some surprises to be discovered during the visit.

A free Halloween activity designed for the whole family

One of the main attractions of the event is its family-friendly approach.

Although the experience will include spooky sounds, frightening decorations and occasional surprises, it has been designed for both children and adults to enjoy together.

Rather than simply walking through a haunted attraction, visitors will take part in an adventure that makes them active participants in the story.

This makes the event particularly appealing to families who want to celebrate Halloween with children without visiting some of the more intense haunted attractions available elsewhere in Málaga.

No specific minimum age has been announced, although parents should consider whether the sound effects and ghostly appearances are suitable for younger children who may be easily frightened.

Trick-or-treating at Plaza Mayor: how it works

The Halloween experience will not end when visitors leave the haunted garden.

Children who successfully complete the mission will receive a special stamp confirming their participation, allowing them to continue the celebrations around the shopping centre.

They can then visit participating shops to take part in traditional trick-or-treating and discover the surprises prepared for the occasion.

This means that the Halloween adventure will extend beyond the garden itself, with different retailers joining the celebrations.

How to take part

According to the organisers, participating is straightforward:

1. Enter the Garden of Lost Souls during its opening hours.
2. Complete the adventure through the four themed areas.
3. Receive the participation stamp.
4. Visit participating shops for trick-or-treating and Halloween surprises.

A complete list of participating retailers and the specific conditions for each reward have not been published.

Visitors should therefore follow the instructions provided at the shopping centre during the event.

Music, games and dancing on Saturday, October 31

The main Halloween night will feature additional entertainment.

On Saturday, October 31, Plaza Mayor will introduce a special DJ session to accompany the celebrations.

The programme will include music, games and dancing for the whole family, creating a festive atmosphere alongside the haunted garden experience.

Visitors attending on Halloween night will therefore be able to combine the ghost-hunting adventure with additional activities around the shopping centre.

The organisers have not announced a separate timetable for the DJ performance, so anyone specifically interested in this activity should check the centre's latest event information before visiting.

Plaza Mayor Halloween 2026: dates and opening hours

The Garden of Lost Souls will be open for three consecutive evenings, covering Halloween weekend and All Saints' Day.

The announced opening hours are:

Admission to the announced activities is free, although capacity restrictions may apply depending on visitor numbers.

The published information does not indicate that advance booking is required for the haunted garden experience.

Where is Plaza Mayor and how do you get there?

Plaza Mayor shopping centre is located in the Churriana district of Málaga, close to the airport and the western side of the city.

Its address is Calle Alfonso Ponce de León, 3, and it can be reached by public transport or car.

Getting to Plaza Mayor by train

One of the easiest ways to reach the shopping centre is by taking the C1 Cercanías commuter train between Málaga and Fuengirola, which stops at Plaza Mayor station.

This connection makes the venue accessible from Málaga city centre and nearby towns including Torremolinos, Benalmádena and Fuengirola.

Visitors are advised to check return train times, particularly as the Halloween activities will finish at 10 pm.

Getting to Plaza Mayor by car

Those travelling by car can access Plaza Mayor via the main roads serving the Churriana area.

However, as the event coincides with Halloween and a busy shopping weekend, visitors should allow for potentially increased traffic and larger crowds.

Free things to do in Málaga during Halloween 2026

Plaza Mayor's Halloween experience joins a wider programme of free activities taking place across Málaga during the final days of October.

The city will host neighbourhood celebrations, costume competitions, children's workshops and haunted attractions in several public spaces.

However, The Garden of Lost Souls stands out by combining an interactive ghost-hunting adventure with traditional trick-or-treating, allowing families to enjoy both activities at the same venue.

The fact that the attraction will operate for three consecutive nights also gives visitors greater flexibility if they cannot attend on Saturday, October 31.

It offers an alternative for families looking for free activities during the All Saints' Day weekend.

Everything you need to know about Halloween at Plaza Mayor

Event: The Garden of Lost Souls (El Jardín de las Almas Perdidas).

Dates: October 30 and 31, and November 1, 2026.

Opening hours: 7 pm to 10 pm on all three days.

Location: Gardens at Plaza Mayor shopping centre, Málaga.

Address: Calle Alfonso Ponce de León, 3, Churriana.

Admission: Free.

Suitable for: Families and visitors of different ages.

Experience: Four themed areas, ghosts, sound effects and an interactive mission.

Trick-or-treating: Children who complete the adventure will receive a stamp allowing them to visit participating shops.

Additional entertainment: DJ, music, games and dancing on Saturday, October 31.

Official information: Plaza Mayor Shopping Centre.

Three nights of Halloween fun for families in Málaga

As October comes to an end, Plaza Mayor is preparing to offer a different way to celebrate Halloween in Málaga.

The themed garden, ghostly settings and mission to capture lost souls will turn visitors into the main characters of an adventure combining mystery and entertainment.

Trick-or-treating opportunities and Saturday's musical activities will add to the experience, creating a programme particularly suited to families.

From October 30 to November 1, Plaza Mayor will become one of Málaga's free Halloween destinations, inviting children and adults to explore the Garden of Lost Souls and discover the surprises waiting along the way.