Halloween in Ireland 2026: The Events, Days Out and Spooky Experiences to Know About

Halloween is once again taking over Ireland, and 2026 is shaping up to be a busy one. From family-friendly pumpkin trails and theme park events to fireworks, live entertainment, folklore and the big Samhain festivals, there is plenty happening across the country this October. Whether you're planning a family day out, a night with friends or simply want to soak up some of the atmosphere, we've pulled together some of the Halloween events in Ireland worth knowing about.

Halloween in Ireland has always had a bit more to it than costumes and sweets.

With Samhain at the heart of the tradition, many of this year's events are leaning into Irish folklore, fire, storytelling and the history behind the season.

Halloween in Ireland 2026: the big events around the country

Fáilte Ireland's Ireland Home of Halloween programme is genuinely island-wide this year, with destination hubs in Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford and Westmeath, and Meath and Louth, alongside Derry Halloween in Northern Ireland. So if you're planning a Halloween break rather than just a local day out, there is plenty to choose from.

Galway: Gaillimh Ah-Boo! and the Macnas Halloween Parade

Galway is going big again with Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, running through October and into early November. The programme brings together folklore, food, fire, storytelling, light installations and family events across the city. The big date is Sunday 25th October, when Macnas marks its 40th anniversary with the new Fiáin Halloween parade through Galway city. The free spectacle starts at 5.30pm and is expected to draw huge crowds.

There is more than the parade too, including Time by Luxmuralis at St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, a Thriller community dance in Eyre Square and other fire, folklore and storytelling events.

Longford and Westmeath: Samhain in the Heartlands

The Midlands is another major Halloween destination in 2026. Samhain in the Heartlands brings a large programme across Longford and Westmeath, with more than 50 events announced across the wider festival season. Longford's Dead of Night Festival runs from 23rd to 31st October, with family activities, performances, storytelling and the spectacular Fire & Shadows Procession on Halloween night.

Over in Westmeath, Belvedere House hosts Halloween experiences during the mid-term break, while the Hill of Uisneach will host An Tairseach: Samhain ar Uisneach on 7th and 8th November.

Meath: Púca Festival returns to Trim and Athboy

Púca Festival one of the biggest Halloween weekends on the Irish calendar, returning to Trim and Athboy from 29th October to 1st November. The four-night festival mixes music, comedy, circus, storytelling, food, fire and folklore, with the Púca Procession, Lighting of the Samhain Fire and projections on Trim Castle among the highlights.

The wider Meath and Louth programme also includes Spirits of Meath, family Halloween events in the Boyne Valley and the Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda.

Limerick: Halloween, harvest and folklore

Limerick's Halloween programme runs into a busy festival season, with events combining the city's medieval history with the traditions of Samhain. The Limerick Harvest Festival at the Milk Market on Sunday 25th October is a family-friendly option with fire shows, circus, crafts, food, storytelling and autumn activities.

There are also storytelling events, the Hunt Museum's Shadows of Samhain programme and other Halloween experiences across the city and county, making Limerick one to keep an eye on if you want something a little different from a traditional theme-park day out.

Kilkenny: Toil & Trouble and Cailleach

Kilkenny is leaning heavily into its medieval history and folklore this Halloween. Kilkenny's Toil & Trouble Festival runs from 29th October to 1st November, exploring the city's witch-trial history through performances, talks, family experiences and storytelling.

Then, on Halloween night, Macnas brings its new Cailleach street spectacle to Kilkenny, inspired by the stories of Petronilla de Meath and Alice Kyteler. The free outdoor event runs from John Street to Canal Square from 6.30pm.

Kerry: Samhain Chiarraí

Kerry has its own county-wide Halloween programme with Samhain Chiarraí running from 15th October to 1st November. The 2026 festival brings fire, folklore, music, storytelling and street performances to towns including Killarney and Tralee.

One of the big 2026 features is Idir Dhá Shaol, with giant illuminated puppets, live musicians, massed drummers, fire performers and stilt walkers. The street spectacles take place in Killarney on 24th October and Tralee on Halloween night.

Cork: Dragon of Shandon and the city's Halloween atmosphere

Cork is not one of the seven Home of Halloween destination hubs, but it is still worth mentioning for anyone looking beyond the headline festivals. The Dragon of Shandon's Samhain celebrations are known for huge skeleton puppets, community performances and a lively street atmosphere around Shandon.

It is a good example of the way Halloween in Ireland can be about community-created spectacle and folklore as much as ticketed attractions.

Derry: 40 years of Derry Halloween

And then there is Derry Halloween, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026. Running from 28th October to 1st November, the Walled City will be packed with folklore, illuminated spectacles, performances, family events, a carnival parade and fireworks.

Derry is in Northern Ireland, but it forms part of the wider Ireland Home of Halloween programme and is one of the island's biggest Halloween celebrations.

Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House & Farm

If pumpkins, lights and a bit of autumn atmosphere are more your thing than jump scares, Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House & Farm in Donabate, Dublin, is one to have on the list. Running from 2nd to 31st October, the event features thousands of hand-carved pumpkins, illuminated displays, seasonal soundscapes, live pumpkin carving and entertainment. The organisers say there are no jump scares, making it a more relaxed Halloween option for families.

Tickets are time-slotted and the current listed price is €22.95. There is also a sensory-friendly evening on 11th October, while discounted Thriller Thursday dates are listed for 8th, 15th and 22nd October. For the latest details, check the official Pumpkins After Dark information

Mega Monster Halloween at Emerald Park

Emerald Park is going all in on family Halloween fun in 2026 with its brand-new Mega Monster Halloween. Designed particularly for children aged 3–12, the event includes a themed pumpkin trail, friendly Halloween characters, photo opportunities and a new Halloween-themed live panto. Best of all, the Halloween entertainment is included with the normal park admission.

The event runs on 10th–11th, 17th–18th and 24th–25th October, daily from 26th–30th October, and again on Halloween itself and 1st November. Early bird admission currently starts at €40 for Junior Zone and €44 for All Access. There is also After Dark for older thrill-seekers, running on selected October evenings with rides continuing into the night. More information is available from Emerald Park.

Malahide Castle gets a Samhain makeover

Closer to Dublin, Malahide Castle & Gardens is becoming one of the places to watch this Halloween. The Haunted Trail: Malahide Samhain Festival runs from 17th to 31st October and takes visitors through four immersive zones, including a woodland trail, a Celtic Samhain Village, storytelling and live fire performances. Tickets start at €18 for children and €21 for adults, with family bundles available.

For something more grown-up, The Traitorous Tale: A Ghoulish Feast takes place at Malahide Castle on selected October dates, combining dark history, live theatre and a Halloween feast.

Swords is getting its own Halloween fireworks

If you're looking for something that won't cost a fortune, Fingal Festival of Fire is returning to Swords Castle on Saturday 31st October. The free event starts with Halloween music at 6.30pm before the fireworks take place at 7.30pm. It is one of several Fingal Halloween events taking place across the county, with Bremore Castle in Balbriggan and Millennium Park in Blanchardstown also hosting Festival of Fire celebrations.

For families in the area, there are also Halloween activities being announced through Fingal's Home of Halloween programme, including events in Swords, Malahide and other local areas. Check the latest Fingal Halloween listings

CreepyTown at The Helix

For a Halloween outing that is more panto than horror, CreepyTown takes over The Helix at DCU from 24th to 30th October. The family show runs at 12pm, 2.30pm and 5pm, with tickets priced at €22 plus booking fee. It is aimed at all ages and promises costumes, dance numbers, laughs and plenty of spooky silliness rather than genuine scares.

Whether you're after a family-friendly day out, a night of live entertainment or something that taps into the ancient Irish roots of Halloween, 2026 looks set to offer plenty of choice.

Dates, prices and event details can change, so always check with the organiser before booking.

Slán go fóill.