Autumn in Andalucía is a feast for the senses — the countryside softens, the hills begin to glow, and local traditions come alive with flavour, colour and community spirit. As the summer crowds thin and the days become cooler, there’s no better time to immerse yourself in true Andalusian life. In this article we highlight four of the most traditional autumn festivals in Andalucía — each one rooted in local culture, each one unique — and all of them deserving of a place on your travel calendar.
1. Tosantos Festivity – The Prequel to All Saints Day
The first festival on our list is the beloved Tosantos celebration, held on the eve of 1 November and observed in food markets across Andalucía, including in cities such as Algeciras, Córdoba, Huelva, Cádiz and Málaga.
Though nowadays many associate Halloween with 31 October, Tosantos is a very different celebration — one that emphasises old-world tradition and the rich autumn produce of Andalucía rather than the imported, Anglo-Saxon overtones of Halloween.
At the heart of Tosantos is gastronomy. Market stalls decorate their tables with the season’s harvest: mushrooms, game, nuts, olives, root vegetables — all styled with imagination, colour and a touch of irony. In Cádiz in particular you’ll find a contest called “Exornos” where meat stalls, fish stalls, fruit stands and vegetable vendors vie for creative stall decoration honours. A few days later the winners are awarded prizes at an event in the conference centre.
But the festival is far more than just food-on-display. Expect parades, flamenco shows, audiovisual projections, conferences, and stall-after-stall of creative satirical decoration that comments on current social and political events — a flavour of Cádiz’s famed ironic spirit. In short, Tosantos is a celebration of creativity, community and the harvest tradition — and a wonderful reason to visit Andalucía at this time of year.
2. Mushroom-Picking Days in Sierra Norte de Sevilla
For a more adventurous autumn activity, why not head into the woods for the annual Mushroom‑Picking Days held in the mountains of Sierra Norte de Sevilla, in the town of Constantina. Organised each year in November by the local mycological society, the event invites participants into the forest to learn how to identify wild mushrooms, collect them safely, and then take them home to cook.
The forest walk is led by an expert from the local botanical garden who explains the region’s mushroom varieties, which ones are edible and which dangerously poisonous — invaluable knowledge for would-be foragers. At the end of the outing you’ll go home with your own basket of mushrooms, ready to transform into a delicious autumn meal.
If you’re a nature lover or a food enthusiast (or ideally both), this festival offers a compelling reason to explore Andalucía’s countryside beyond the typical tourist itinerary. You’ll experience the crisp forest air, the joy of the hunt, and the reward of your edible findings around a table afterwards.
3. Wine Must Festival in Atajate (Málaga)
Come late November, the festive mood returns — this time in the heart of Andalucían winemaking tradition at the Wine Must Festival in the town of Atajate (province of Málaga). The festival was born in 1985 when a group of young locals approached their mayor with a charming idea: celebrate the region’s must (freshly pressed grape juice) and the town’s ancestral tradition of winemaking.
The date matters: the event always falls on the last Saturday of November, timed to the fermenting process of the must (40 days minimum)… so it’s not arbitrary. At midday in the main plaza, locals donate their must and visitors taste together; participants choose the best ones and winners receive awards (the golden grape, silver and bronze).
Alongside the tasting you’ll enjoy live music, regional tapas, and especially the famous “migas” (breadcrumbs fried with local ingredients) which added from 2008 onwards became a firm festival favourite. Over time the event has grown and been designated a Festival of Provincial Tourist Interest — a reason in itself to put it on your travel list.
So if you love wine, rural atmosphere, lively music and the warm hospitality of small-town Andalucía, this festival offers an experience rich in flavour, culture and local pride.
4. Olive Festival in Martos (Jaén) – A Tribute to the Olive Harvest
Rounding off our list is the venerable Olive Festival held each year at the beginning of December in the town of Martos, province of Jaén — a region with 22,000 hectares of olive trees and rooted deeply in olive-oil tradition. The festival marks the start of the olive-oil production campaign and pays tribute to the hardworking olive growers who make that “liquid gold” possible.
The festivities begin on 8 December with an official opening speech, followed by a floral offering at the monument to the olive-growers and the extraction of the first oil of the year using a traditional spindle press. Immediately afterwards comes the tasting: bread rolls with and without gluten, freshly pressed olive oil, olives and cod.
But the festival is more than a tasting — it features over 30 food, leisure and cultural activities: guided tours of olive mills, hiking routes through olive groves, theatrical performances and plenty of local camaraderie. For visitors, it’s a chance to connect with the source of one of Andalucía’s most iconic products and partake in a deeply rooted cultural ritual.
Why You Should Visit These Festivals
- Authentic experience – Each festival is firmly anchored in regional tradition and far from mass-tourism.
- Seasonal bounty – Autumn in Andalucía brings its own unique harvests and flavours: wild mushrooms, must, olives, nuts, game, and more.
- Outdoor & rural charm – These events favour countryside settings, small towns, outdoor markets and natural surroundings.
- Community spirit – You’ll find a warmth and conviviality that’s harder to find in bigger cities; the locals are proud, welcoming and keen to share.
- Off-peak advantage – Visiting in autumn means fewer crowds, cooler weather and the opportunity for more relaxed exploration — ideal for hiking, biking, or simply enjoying the countryside.
Tips for Planning Your Trip
- Dates & timing – Check each festival’s calendar in advance: Tosantos (1 Nov eve), Mushroom-Picking Days (November in Sierra Norte), Wine Must Festival (last Saturday of November), Olive Festival (beginning of December).
- Transport & stay – Some of these towns are off the beaten track (Atajate, Martos, Constantina) so planning car hire or coordinated transport is wise. Consider staying in nearby rural guesthouses or small local hotels to enhance the experience.
- Pack accordingly – Autumn weather in Andalucía is mild during the day but can turn chilly at night, especially in the hills. Bring layers, comfortable walking shoes, a rain shell just in case.
- Be curious – Go beyond the main events: stroll the food markets, talk to stall-holders, join guided walks or presses (olive/oil), sample local dishes, absorb local traditions.
- Respect local traditions – These festivals celebrate local culture, agriculture and community. Enjoy enthusiastically, but also with respect for the land, the growers and the heritage.
- Combine with active travel – Since you run Bike & Hike Granada, these festivals are perfect complements to active travel: cycle through olive groves, hike in Sierra Norte, stroll the markets on foot, and explore the region by bike. They tie beautifully into the outdoor / nature / cultural ethos.
Final Thoughts
From the lively market-parades of Tosantos to the forested foraging of the Mushroom-Picking Days, from the jovial must-tasting festival in Atajate to the solemn yet festive opening of the olive-oil season in Martos — autumn in Andalucía is surprisingly rich, deep and textured. These four festivals capture some of the best of the region: flavour, tradition, community and seasonal rhythm.
If you’re planning a trip to Andalucía in the cooler months, consider building in one (or more) of these festivals into your itinerary. It’s not just a visit — it’s a chance to live the rhythm of the land, taste its harvest, and join in the local celebration. You’ll leave with more than photographs: you’ll leave with memories of flavour, laughter and the timeless spirit of Andalucía.
So saddle up (or lace your boots), pack your appetite, choose your festival — and prepare for an autumn you won’t forget.