- Ireland Home of Halloween programme runs from October to 8 November 2026.
- Seven hubs include Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny and Limerick.
- Púca Festival runs from 29 October to 1 November in Meath and Louth.
- Derry Halloween celebrates its 40th anniversary.
- Macnas parade takes place in Galway on 25 October 2026.
Ireland’s 2026 Home of Halloween programme is bringing ancient Samhain traditions to life across seven hubs in Dublin, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford and Westmeath and Meath and Louth through October and into early November.
he Galway hub features the Macnas theatre group celebrating 40 years of street performance with its giant puppet parade on 25 October 2026.
Titled “Fiáin” (Wild), the parade will kick off at 5:30 pm and is expected to last approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes.
It leaves from the University of Galway campus, moves via University Road past the Galway Cathedral, crosses the Salmon Weir Bridge, and proceeds down Eglinton Street, winds through the main pedestrian areas including Shop Street and Mainguard Street, crosses O’Brien’s Bridge, moves down Dominick Street, and concludes at the Claddagh Fire Station.
The programme expands significantly on its inaugural year transforming the autumn shoulder season from early October through 8 November 2026. The initiative is backed by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and TourismNI.
The programme is anchored by the Púca Festival in Meath and Louth from 29 October to 1 November 2026 illuminating Trim Castle and Athboy with fiery processions, aerial acrobatics and live music from headliners including The Waterboys and Hothouse Flowers. Derry Halloween celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026 as Europe’s largest Halloween gathering.
The Longford and Westmeath hub features approximately 50 heritage-driven events including the Fire and Shadows procession and Dead of Night Festival in Longford Town and the sacred Samhain ar Uisneach fire ceremony at the Hill of Uisneach. T The Kilkenny hub features the Toil and Trouble Festival from 29 October to 1 November marking the history of Ireland’s first witch trials.
