The leaves are turning wonderful hues of brown and orange, you just had your first pumpkin spice latte of the season, and Gilmore Girls is playing in the background. All that is left to do next is to start planning how you are going to celebrate Halloween this year.

Since Halloween orginated in Ireland, there is no shortage of things to see and do all throughout October to get you in the Halloween mood!

We’ve created a list of some of the best things to do in Ireland this Halloween. Yep, doing all the hard work so you don’t have to. So, let’s jump right int!

Our Top 10

Bram Stoker Festival

Dublin, 25th-28th October

Dublin will be celebrating the annual Bram Stoker event on the October Bank Holiday weekend. The festival is a celebration of the life and work of Bram Stoker, the famous author of Dracula.

The festival combines literature, theatre, music, and the eerie charm of Dublin’s gothic heritage. Across the weekend you can expect exhibitions, film screenings, immersive experiences, markets, and more!

If you don’t have any plans for this October Bank Holiday weekend, you know where to be!

Derry Halloween

Derry, 28th-31st October

If you love all things spooky, one of the best things to do this Halloween is to celebrate it at Europe’s biggest Halloween Party!

Every year, Derry hosts the biggest Halloween party in Europe and it has rightfully gained this title. Starting on the 28th of October, Derry will have a host of events such as guided tours, live music, spooky audio experiences, masquerade balls, and not to mention their iconic parade and fireworks show!

Halloween in Derry is the ultimate way to experience the holiday – just don’t turn up without a costume!

You can find their events timetable here.

Ghost Tours

Nationwide

Nothing screams Halloween like a good old Ghost Tour. There are bunch of ghost tours happening right across the country. You can explore haunted sites, take guided tours through abandoned prisons or graveyards, and learn about the local legends and history of Samhain.

Pumpkin Patches

Nationwide

Pumpkin patches have been gaining popularity over the last few years and we can see why! With more popping up all over the country, it’s the perfect day out with your friends or with family to get you embracing Autumn.

Grabbing a chai latte and picking out your very own pumpkin sounds like the perfect day to us – not to mention all of the great photo opportunities!

Macnas Parade

Galway, 26th & 27th October

Galway’s Macnas Parade is one for the books. Year in, and year out, they blow everyone away with their incredible artistry and creativity. Each year they have a different theme, often reflecting

Expect to see giant puppets and elaborate costumes alongside theatrical performances and music that everyone will love.

Púca Festival

Meath, 31st October – 3rd November

The Púca Festival is back for another year and is spread across four days in country Meath. This year’s festoval will include music from acts such as Gavin James, Bell X1, and Kingfishr.

Other events include performances from circus act Sorcas na Samhain, haunted trail walks, comedy events, and workshops.

Farmaphobia

Meath, 4th October – 2nd November

Here is your disclaimer – Farmaphobia will not be for everyone.

If, however, you love a good scare, then listen up. Farmaphobia will be happening at Causeys Farm in County Meath from the 4th of October all the way through until the 2nd of November.

With 5 different stages, you make your way through different scenes (in the dark, might we add) and face everything from cursed carnival clowns, to serial killers, to being chased with a chainsaw.

Farmaphobia is over 13s only, and if you are aged 13-16 you will need to rbring an adult with you. The event requires tickets so make sure you book in advance to secure your desired date and time.

Spike Island After Dark

Spike Island, Cork, 4th October – 2nd November

While you can take a tour of Spike Island during the daytime, the After Dark Tour will showcase the former prison in a new light.

You’ll be guided by storytellers and learn about the horrors of solitary confinement, the hidden mass graves across the island, and all about the dark history of what was once the largest prison in the world and known as ‘Ireland’s Hell’.

This is an over-16s event and tickets are required.

Oweynagat Cave

Rathcrogan, 21st October – 1st November (Monday-Friday only)

The Origins of Samhain Tour will be taking place daily at Oweynagat Cave over the holiday period.

The Oweynagat Cave is known as being the home of Halloween and as Ireland’s ‘Gate to Hell’. In this guided tour, you will be taken to the entrance of the cave and learn all about the on-goings at the site over a century ago, and learn about how Samhain was celebrated many moons ago.

Is there a better way to spend Halloween than at the home of Samhain?!

Belong To

Calling all Ghosts, Goblins, Witches & Ghouls

This Spooky Season, Belong To is hosting a week of fun, eerie events in Dublin City Centre.

Over the mid-term break, join other LGBTQ+ young people for a series of events and gatherings to celebrate Samhain together:

October 29th: A Samhain Tour of Carnivorous and Mystical Plants
October 30th: Halloween Movie Night
October 31st: Halloween Party

All events will be supervised by our experienced youth workers at Belong To. Parental consent to attend is required for those under 18 years.

If you’re interested in signing up, head to this link.

Movie Night

Your couch

Sometimes going out is over-rated. If you’d much prefer sitting in alone (or with friends) then we have your evening sorted for you. Grab some popcorn and Halloween snacks because we have created a list of some of the best movies to watch on your next movie night in.

Whatever way you choose to celebrate Halloween in Ireland this year, do something that feels fun to you. Not everyone wants to be chased around a farm in the dark by someone dressed as a killer clown, and that is totally normal.

Watching Hocus Pocus in a dark room on your own isn’t a bad way to celebrate Halloween, in fact, that’s probably where you’ll find me.