On the night of October 31st, Soria takes to the streets to celebrate a local horror story. White-caped Templars with red crosses, hooded monks, and giant skeletons parade through the city center to the sound of hundreds of drums. This is Halloween in Soria at the Festival de las Ánimas, an event that honors a 19th-century legend about the mount across the Douro River.
The festival began in 1986 when a teacher took a group of students to this mount to read the legend in the dark around a bonfire. Today the event spans over ten days with thousands of attendees, but the core idea remains the same. The goal is to experience the story in the exact locations where it took place.
We attended the parade and gathered all the information on what to see and how to prepare for your trip.
A bit of history
The Mount of Souls (El monte de las ánimas) is a horror story published in 1861 by the Spanish poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, who based it on a tale he heard from locals in Soria.
The legend
Centuries ago, after conquering Soria from the Moors, the King of Castile brought Templar knights to defend the city. This task was previously a source of honor for the nobles of Soria, and they felt deeply offended by the Templars' presence. The tension escalated when the Templars, who had their convent on the mount across the Douro River, banned everyone from hunting there. The nobles organized a hunt on the mount anyway. The encounter between the two groups ended in a bloody battle with many casualties on both sides.
According to the locals, the spirits of those who died in that battle return to the mount every year on All Saints' Eve. This is why the location became known as The Mount of Souls (monte de las ánimas).
Bécquer's story takes place centuries later on one of those nights. The cousins Alonso and Beatriz were returning from a hunt in the area when she realized she had left a blue ribbon on the mount. She challenged him to retrieve it in the darkness. The young man accepted the mission and disappeared. The next morning, Beatriz found the torn and bloody ribbon in her bedroom and died of sheer terror. Local tradition claims that the young woman's spirit still wanders the mount crying around Alonso's grave.
The festival in 2026
In 2026 the festival runs from October 23rd to November 2nd. The activities mostly take place in the late afternoon and evening. Several of them require paid tickets and have limited capacity. Prices are accessible, so we recommend buying tickets on the official website as soon as you define your travel dates. If you can only attend one day, October 31st is the best choice to watch the main parade.
Medieval Soria Guided Tour
€ 10
A one-hour walking tour through medieval Soria.
Daily at 5:30 PM, starting at Parque del Castillo.
Legend Soundscapes
Theatrical reading of Bécquer's legends for children.
October 23rd at 6:30 PM at the Public Library. Registration is required at the venue.
October Sky Tour
€ 10
Stargazing session featuring myths and horror stories.
Daily at 9:30 PM, starting at Parque del Castillo.
Reading in the Dark
€ 5
An audio-narrated Lovecraft story experienced in complete darkness.
October 25th at 8:00 PM at the San Nicolás ruins.
Short Story Readings
€ 5
Horror stories read by candlelight with a different theme each night.
October 26th to 30th at 8 00 PM at the San Nicolás ruins.
The Parade of Souls
A procession featuring Templars, drummers, and giant skeletons.
October 31st at 8 00 PM, moving from the Castillo to the Plaza Mayor. Free entry.
The Night of Souls
€ 8
Reading of the legend around a bonfire and a barefoot firewalking ritual over hot coals.
November 1st at 8 00 PM at Explanada de San Pelegrín.
Now the part you were looking for...
What to expect from the Parade of Souls
We arrived in Soria on October 31st for the parade. Shortly before 8:00 PM we found a spot near the San Juan de Rabanera church. That year the parade started from two different locations. The nobles departed from the castle and the Templars from the river, meeting exactly at our chosen spot.
First came the nobles, some riding horses and others wearing skull masks, and then the Templars. But between them... There was something I would describe as Mad Max meets The Walking Dead, featuring giant drums, trumpets, skulls and a gothic look!
Soon after, giant skeletons and mystical figures joined the march. The visual impact is striking and distinct from typical Halloween celebrations.
It is important to set the right expectations. This is a local event organized and executed by the city's residents. It does not rely on massive budgets or high-end special effects, but it is very authentic and visually captivating for those who appreciate gothic and historical aesthetics.
After the procession, we took a shortcut through the city center to watch them arrive at the Plaza Mayor. This square hosted the recreation of the battle from the legend. The schedule also included burning a tree with Beatriz's blue ribbon. The execution of the bonfire was highly controlled with a large team of firefighters surrounding the flames, which made the moment feel anticlimactic.
Overall, the experience is very interesting. Soria has a great tapas culture, and even without an official street party after the parade, the local bars provide a lively environment to end the evening.
More photos
Practical tips
Book your accommodation well in advance
Soria is a small city with a limited number of hotels. The festival coincides with the All Saints' Day holiday on November 1st, causing rooms to sell out quickly. We suggest securing a reservation as soon as your dates are confirmed.
You can use platforms like Booking (our partner) to find flexible cancellation options.
Purchase tickets as soon as the schedule is released
Themed activities have strict capacity limits. The most popular dates always sell out first. For 2026, the guided tours for October 31st and November 1st are already fully booked. Always check the official website for availability.
Pick multiple spots to watch the parade
The city center is compact. You can easily watch the procession pass by one location and take a shortcut to see it again further down the route. The 2026 path starts at the Castillo and goes through San Juan de Rabanera and El Collado before ending at the Plaza Mayor. The official event page provides a map with recommended viewing areas.
Pack warm clothing
Late October nights in Soria are quite cold. You will spend at least an hour standing outside during the parade, so thermal layers and winter coats are essential.
Enjoy the local tapas scene
The city center bars gets busy quickly after the parade. It is the perfect opportunity to try Soria's famous local food.
What to eat
Soria is famous across Spain for its thick pork crackling, locally known as torrezno. It consists of a thick cut of pork fried until the skin turns crunchy while the meat underneath remains tender. You will find it in almost every bar in the center as a tapa. Order it by its Spanish name, "un torrezno", and pair it with a "caña", the local term for a draft beer.
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