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Halloween in the Algarve: for kids and grown-ups
Pumpkins, costumes and plenty of fun: the best Halloween plans near Quinta da Balaia, for children and adults, plus a recipe for ghost muffins.
Praia das Conchas · October 2026
The end of October is a lovely time to visit the Algarve: the days are still mild, and in many northern European countries it is half-term week. These are the Halloween plans we recommend, all a short drive from our villas.
recipe at the endGhost muffins to bake with the kidsJump to recipe
Zoomarine: Halloween from 20 to 31 October
The park in Guia, about 15 minutes away by car, fills up with witches, wizards and spooky decorations. Younger children can enjoy face painting every day and a costume contest on 28 and 31 October. For the brave, aged 14 and over, there is the "Spooky Park" film in the 4D cinema and a scary maze.
Vila Vita Biergarten: pumpkins for everyone
- Pumpkin Market, Saturday 24 October, 12:30 to 20:00, with free entry.
- Seasonal food and drinks, live jazz and special culinary creations.
- Pumpkin carving workshops at 15:00 and 18:00.
The Biergarten does not host a Halloween party, but the Pumpkin Market is a lovely autumn outing for the whole family. It is at Vila Vita Parc in Porches, about 20 minutes away by car.
Halloween in Albufeira old town
On the night of 31 October, Albufeira old town, about 10 minutes away by car, usually turns into a big costume street party. Bars and restaurants decorate their venues, DJs play horror-themed sets, street performers move through the crowd and almost everyone goes out in costume. This year's programme is not known yet, so check in the days before on the town council website or the bars' social media. It is more of a night for teenagers and adults; if you go with young children, go early.
Tips for Halloween in the Algarve
- Pack the costumes: many events have costume contests.
- Buy Zoomarine tickets online.
- Halloween night in Albufeira gets busy: go early and park outside the centre.
- Local markets and most large supermarkets sell pumpkins to carve, costumes and treats for the kids.
- Prefer a quiet Halloween? Buy pumpkins at the market and carve them on the villa terrace.
Bake it with the kids
Recipe: pumpkin ghost muffins
For a quiet afternoon in, these muffins are easy to make in the villa kitchen, and children love drawing the ghosts' eyes. Makes 12 muffins.
Muffins
- 200 g plain flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of salt
- 120 g sugar
- 2 eggs
- 150 g pumpkin purée (cooked, mashed pumpkin)
- 100 ml vegetable oil
- 60 ml milk
Meringue ghosts
- 3 egg whites
- 150 g sugar
- Black gel food colouring or mini chocolate chips, for the eyes
Method
- Heat the oven to 180 °C and line a muffin tin with 12 paper cases.
- Mix the flour, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl, whisk the sugar, eggs, pumpkin purée, oil and milk.
- Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ones until just combined. Fill the cases three-quarters full and bake for 20 to 22 minutes. Leave to cool completely.
- For the meringue, heat the egg whites and sugar over a pan of simmering water, stirring constantly, until the sugar dissolves (about 5 minutes).
- Take off the heat and whisk with an electric mixer for 5 to 7 minutes, until stiff and glossy.
- Pipe a tall swirl onto each muffin and finish with a peak. Draw the eyes with colouring or press in two chocolate chips.
Tip: pumpkins are sold at every local market in October, and the Pumpkin Market at the Biergarten on the 24th is the perfect place to get one.
