Home of Halloween – How Ireland claimed ownership of the festival & the places that made it happen
Some Halloween festivals and events from around Ireland:
- Cahernane Hotel, County Kerry: October 31, 2024: Gather by the fireside to hear tales from Eddie Lenihan, one of Ireland’s last seanchaí, sharing spooky legends and folklore that capture the essence of Halloween.
- Clonfert Pet Farm Halloween Festival – Clonfert, County Kildare: October 22-31, 2024: A family-friendly festival features a pumpkin patch, ghostly train rides, and an enchanted scarecrow walk, with delicious treats available at the café.
- Dead of Night Festival – Longford Town: October 26-28, 2024: This festival features a family event called Samhain Town, which includes spooky entertainment, a haunted house, and a pumpkin patch, culminating in a grand procession on the bank holiday.
- Derry Hallowe’en – Derry, Northern Ireland: Month of October: Experience one of the world’s best Halloween festivals with vibrant parades, fancy dress, and a packed agenda of spooky activities, showcasing the city’s festive spirit.
- Dublin Zoo Halloween Activities – Dublin Zoo: October 29-31, 2024: The zoo offers a schedule full of Halloween-themed activities, including a spooky trail, face painting, keeper talks, and pumpkin-making workshops for children.
- Dublin Zoo is hosting an adult-only Wild Lights event on Halloween for the first time, designed for couples and friends looking for a unique evening out on October 31st from 6 to 10 pm. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes
- Crumlin Halloween Festival : This family-friendly festival takes place on Halloween from 12-4 pm at Eamonn Ceannt Park, featuring a dress-up bike parade, ghost train, face painting, and obstacle courses.
- D10 Halloween : This event includes a Zombie Run, haunted house, Halloween Hullaballo, and a screening of “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” culminating in a fireworks display on October 31.
- Darndale Together After Dark : This spooky event at Darndale Belcamp Village Centre on October 31 from 4-7 pm will feature music, street theatre, DJ performances, dance, circus acts, and fireworks, all free for attendees.
- Dublin’s Liberties Community-Led Halloween Extravaganza : On Halloween night, the Liberties will host the Liberties Haunt Festival from 5-8 pm, featuring carnival games, live performances, and free goodies for attendees.
- Paranormal Investigation at the Mansion House : Running from October 30, this new event for teenagers includes eerie tours and ghost stories in the historic Mansion House, culminating in a Pumpkin Patch opening on November 1-2.
- Samhain on O’Connell St : A free family-friendly event running from October 26-28, featuring attractions like a Scary Pirate Ship ride, Dracula storytelling, circus acts, craft workshops, and a Trick or Treat Wheel of Fortune, all taking place on O’Connell Street.
- The Big Scream NEIC Halloween Community Festival : Held from October 22-31 in Dublin 1, this festival includes activities like funfairs, haunted houses, spooky history walks, and culminates in the Big Scream Carnival on Halloween night with free rides on the Ghost Train.
- Booh Cabra/Glasnevin Halloween Festival’ : Running from October 28-31, this festival features giant outdoor movies, fire performances, and magic shows, all organized by local residents in collaboration with Dublin City Council.
- Finglas Fright Night Halloween Festival : Scheduled for October 31 from 6:30-9 pm, this event at Finglas Civic Centre includes carnival rides, games, music, and dance, ensuring a fun and safe environment for families.
- Ballymun Otherworld Festival : Taking place on October 31 from 6-9 pm at Trinity Comprehensive School, this festival features live entertainment, a café, funfair rides, arts and crafts, and concludes with a fireworks display.
- Dockers & Demons: Running from October 25 to November 1, this festival unites the Ringsend, Irishtown, and Docklands communities with a variety of spooky performances and interactive workshops designed to celebrate Halloween.
- Haunted Trail at Malahide Castle & Palmerstown House Estate – Dublin and Kildare: October 2024: This interactive Halloween experience invites families on an outdoor trail featuring spooktacular scenes, costumed characters, and fun surprises suitable for all ages.
- IFI Horrorthon 2024 – Irish Film Institute, Dublin: October 24-28, 2024: Celebrate all things horror with a festival showcasing Irish and international films, documentaries, and special events. Highlights include the first Irish-language horror film, “An Taibhse,” with a filmmaker Q&A.
- Jurassic Newpark ‘Wicked Walk’ – Newpark Hotel, Kilkenny: October 26 – November 3, 2024: A family adventure where dinosaurs and wizards intertwine, offering fun-filled activities, potions, and spell-casting experiences for young adventurers.
- Lantern-Making and Drumming Workshops – Glenbower Woods, Killeagh: Workshops on October 28-29; Parade on November 2, 2024: Create lanterns from willow and join the Samhain Parade of Light, guided by Celtic drummers. Workshops cater to all ages, promoting traditional crafting techniques.
- National Circus Festival of Ireland (NCFI) – Tralee, County Kerry: October 31 – November 3, 2024: Enjoy four thrilling days of circus acts, performance workshops, a colorful parade, and fireworks, showcasing both homegrown and international talent from across the globe.
- Púca Festival 2024 – County Meath (Trim and Athboy): October 31 – November 3, 2024: Celebrate the origins of Halloween with vibrant performances, comedy acts, and live music, including a DJ set from Leftfield, amidst a backdrop of contemporary and traditional Irish folklore.
- Village of Fear XV: The Nightmare Realm – Dublin’s City Market, Mary Street: Ongoing until November 1, 2024: Dive into an immersive horror experience featuring five new mazes, interactive secret rooms, and a Museum of Horrors, alongside a food court and expanded Halloweentown. Voted as Ireland’s best Halloween experience.
- Waterford Halloween – Festival in Ireland’s oldest city and home of the museum of the wake.
