From Spooky to Spectacular: Activities to Elevate Your Halloween
Don’t know where to go for your Halloween weekend?
The only right place is Ireland. With master storytellers, immersive shows, and outdoor performances, it feels like the underworld has taken over and the stories are haunting the streets. Here are some of the best Halloween events to check out:
Macnas Halloween Parade – Galway
Want a proper theatre spectacle? On Sunday, October 26 at 5.30pm, Galway’s narrow lanes will become a living fairytale, thanks to this award-winning production team. This year’s theme, An Treun – Summoning Of The Lost, takes its cue from a forgotten Bram Stoker tale and the eerie call of the vanished Corncrake. Expect shape-shifting characters, folklore, magic, and jaw-dropping costumes. Pro tip: the best viewing spots are near Leonardo Hotel or Monroe’s Tavern, where the streets open up for a better view.
Derry Halloween- Derry
Europe’s biggest Halloween festival? It’s right here. For four nights, October 28–31, the Walled City of Derry, Guildhall Square, and Waterloo Place, transforms into a Halloween hub. The city becomes this gothic playground of live music, street food, and dazzling displays. Highlights include the Carnival Parade, an explosion of acrobats, circus performers, and light shows. Including a line-up of live performances on the Samhain and Cathedral Quarter stages. Make sure to check out all these events before the River Foyle glows under a massive fireworks finale. This is Halloween at full volume!
Púca Festival – County Meath
If you’re after a Halloween steeped in real history, head to County Meath for the Púca Festival. Running from 30 October until November 2nd, across the historic towns of Athboy and Trim – the very birthplace of Halloween over 2,000 years ago. Named after the mischievous, shape-shifting spirit of Irish folklore, Púca brings both tricks and blessings to a packed four-night programme. It all begins with the dramatic Lighting of the Samhain Fire on 31 October, then heats up with The Pyro Collective’s outdoor show of dynamic fire choreography. Expect a grand Púca Procession, projections on Trim Castle, and a varied line-up of music acts. Between the events, browse the lively Púca Markets for artisan crafts, local produce, and delicious food – a festival that’s equal parts ancient tradition and modern spectacle.
Bram Stoker Festival – Dublin
For a Halloween with a literary touch, Dublin’s Bram Stoker Festival (31 Oct–3 Nov) celebrates the legacy of Ireland’s most iconic gothic writer. Now one of the city’s largest arts festivals, it features everything from Dracula: The Hunt—a staged reading of the novel’s final ten chapters at the Abbey Theatre—to innovative events blending Irish and Japanese traditions. At the National Concert Hall, Kwaidan, a haunting blend of film and music, premieres in Ireland. It links two cultures while blurring the line between real and otherworldly. Then, Songs of the Spirits at St. Ann’s Church brings together Japanese choral traditions and Irish songs, fresh from its debut in Osaka. Families can also enjoy Stokerland in St. Patrick’s Park, a free event with street theatre, food stalls, and a carousel. The full programme will be announced on the festival’s official website on Wednesday, October 1st.
So, if you want something magical this Halloween, you won’t go wrong with any of these. Ireland’s festivals mix past and present in ways that make myths feel real. Here, spirits and masters don’t just remain chained to stories—they march down streets, sing on stages, and light up castles.
Written by Aniela Eftimie
Edited by Niall Carey (@niall.030)
