Head to Galway for Gaillimh Ah-Boo! – a 10-day-long extravaganza honouring Samhain’s Celtic roots. Join crowds of nearly 80,000 spectators for the annual Macnas Halloween Parade on October 25 and enjoy colossal floats and street performers as they take over the city streets.

Delve into the dark corners of Galway’s past on the Dark History Tours of Galway City. The 90-minute tours are led by local experts in the county’s crimes, punishments and folklore, and they share sordid secrets with their own narrative flair. 

If exploring Galway's dark side makes you peckish, satisfy your appetite at the Blas na Samhna Food Festival. The month-long festival kicks off in November and celebrates the county's rich food scene, commitment to sustainability and bounty of great local produce. Indulge in delicious food trails, culinary workshops and live demonstrations from professional chefs and local artisans. 

With so many ancient ruins and burial tombs located in the Boyne Valley, it comes as no surprise that Meath and Louth pull out all the stops for Halloween. 

There are four major festivals scheduled for the 2026 season, and things kick off in Meath on October 2 with the Spirits of Meath Halloween Festival. Treat the kids to a day of fortune telling, mirror mazes and other mischief at Causey Farm’s Pooka Spooka, or test their pumpkin carving skills at Funtasia’s Pumpkin Patch Festival. The adults can get their heart rates up with jump scares and chainsaw-wielding monsters at Farmophobia.  

For a different kind of thrill, check out After Dark at Emerald Park. Explore Ireland’s biggest theme park once the sun goes down and take on imposing rides like the Cú Chulainn Coaster, The Endeavour and The Rotator. If you’re with the little ones, take them through the wonderful Tír na nÓg and learn all about one of Ireland’s most treasured tales. And for kids aged 3 to 12, try out their brand new Halloween experience, Mega Monster Halloween. Follow the pumpkin trail to meet friendly Halloween characters and enjoy live entertainment, including the park's very own panto show. 

Meath’s biggest Halloween festival is the Púca Hallowen Festival, which celebrates all things Samhain over a jam-packed four days in Trim and Athboy. This year’s programme is stacked with musical performances, comedy acts, fire shows and storytelling sessions – catch huge gigs by The Coronas and the Hothouse Flowers, among others. 

On the bright side, the Lú Festival of Light explores Ireland’s fascinating mythology with vibrant light installations projected across some of Drogheda’s most historic landmarks. Follow the stories of ancient gods, heroes and mystical creatures as they dance across the Old Abbey, St Peter’s Church and St Laurence’s Gate. 

Celebrate the harvest with a feast at the Samhain Festival of Food and Culture. Alongside tasting events, food markets, cooking demonstrations and kids’ workshops, there’s the Samhain Long Table Supper – a Halloween-inspired feast using the best of seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients.  

Throughout October and early November, Longford and Westmeath come alive for Samhain: Fire, Folklore and Feasting, a celebration with four key events across both locations.  

Honour the Celtic goddess of war and fate, Morrígan, at the Fire and Shadows Procession in Longford town. The procession is part of the folklore, fright and fun of the Dead of Night Halloween Festival, exploring Samhain’s dark side. If you've the kids in tow, make your way to the festival's Halloween HQ, a dedicated hub set on Pig Market Lane where the little ones can take part in arts and crafts, face painting, storytelling, music and the Bug and Reptile Zoo. 

Longford will also host special dining experiences such as the Spirit of Samhain Tasting Dinner, which showcases the best produce from local names, all in the cosy setting of Skelly's Bar.

Over in Westmeath, make your way to An Tairseach Samhain. Set at the Hill of Uisneach – the meeting point of Ireland’s five provinces and once the country’s spiritual epicentre – the two-day event marks the Celtic New Year with storytelling, ancient rituals, music and fire ceremonies. You can also see Belvedere House and Gardens in a whole new light during their Samhain Gathering. Explore the 160-acre estate on the Children's Halloween Trail and unlock the secret Halloween phrase, or admire talented aerial artists, acrobats and jugglers as they perform stories from ancient Irish folklore.  

The craic is mighty in Kerry, especially during the Halloween season. Across the entire county, people come together to celebrate Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween for more than two weeks of street spectacles, traditional storytelling, music and food. You'll find fire rituals and Samhain processions across festival hubs in Killarney, Listowel and Tralee, as well as special events and unique family workshops in individual locations throughout the festival. 

Feel like a kid again at the National Circus Festival of Ireland in Tralee and sit back as fire performers and acrobats take to the stage. With nearly 100 handpicked performers, it’s the best place to celebrate all-things circus.  

Kerry hasn’t forgotten about the foodies out there. From November 5 to 9, Listowel turns into a haven for flavour-seekers for the annual Listowel Food Fair. Peak in on cooking demonstrations and seminars and taste the best treats, savoury and sweet, from local artisan producers. 

Samhain wouldn’t exist if it weren’t for the storytellers that kept it alive – celebrate their talents at the Sneem International Storytelling and Folklore Festival. Entering its thirteenth year, the festival welcomes master storytellers, folklore experts, musicians and performers to share their talents and the tales of Ireland. 

Stretching across North County Dublin, the Fingal Festival of Fire will ignite your Halloween spirit in three key locations: Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, Swords Castle and Millenium Park in Blanchardstown. Regardless of where you pitch yourself, you can expect great musical performances, incredible firework displays and even a scary disco. 

Add a touch of glamour to Halloween at the Dining Club’s Samhain Feast in Whitestown House. Don your finest threads and tuck into a seven-course tasting menu inspired by ancestral firelit Samhain feasts. Each course tells its own story by blending ancient traditions with modern dining.  

Head to the historic grounds of Newbridge House for Pumpkins After Dark – a unique, one-kilometre-long illuminated pumpkin pathway filled with intricately carved sculptures and dazzling displays. Wander through the custom-built tunnel and watch pumpkin carving demonstrations, pick up sweet treats and take plenty of photos with the family. 

Get crafty at the month-long Soul of Samhain festival at the Seamus Ennis Arts Centre. The festival taps into the traditions of Samhain, Irish craft and mythology through their series of fascinating workshops. Discover the significance of herbs in Irish witchcraft at Herbs, Hexes and Halloween, learn about the Power of Ancient Cures and Curses, or get crafty with the kids at the fused glass lantern workshop. There'll be events for both adults and kids, alongside a Harvest Food Fair and film screenings.

Limerick is gearing up for its annual Halloween Festival. Kicking off on October 22, the five-day festival will host everything from talks and workshops to film screenings and even family-friendly Halloween fun at the Hunt Museum.

For the third year in a row, Limerick’s Fire and Shadows Procession will return to the city for the October Bank Holiday weekend. Lumen Street Theatre will showcase their talents with a parade of illuminated mythological beings, led by the bones of Patrick Sarsfield astride his skeletal steed.

Bring the kids along to the Limerick Harvest Festival in the Milk Market to explore the ancient harvest traditions of Samhain through a modern lens. Take in vibrant fire shows and circus performances, get hands-on with lantern-making workshops and treat the whole family to delicious bites.  

If you're a foodie, get your knife and fork ready for the county's Samhain Banquet. Held on October 30, this immersive dining experience showcases the country's Samhain roots through traditional and modern Irish flavours. 

Celebrate Halloween differently in 2026 with the Limerick City Night Run. Join your fellow runners at the start line on October 29 and follow the 5km route as it weaves through the city. Along the way, enjoy the Halloween buzz before finishing at King John's Castle, where you'll be met by a live DJ spinning catchy beats.

Blending traditional harvest celebrations with county-specific legends, Kilkenny’s Halloween season is set to run for five weeks, filled with food, folklore and intrigue.  

Kilkenny Castle are opening the doors to their 13th-century estate for Savour Kilkenny. Alongside the 100-stall food market, live cooking demonstrations and incredible street food, visitors will have the chance to celebrate the end of harvest season with an impressive feast designed by some of the county’s finest chefs.  

When you think of witch trials, your mind probably jumps to Salem in the United States, but some took place a lot closer to your doorstep than you might assume. Kilkenny Toil and Trouble dives into the haunting lore of Petronella, the first woman burned at the stake in Ireland for practicing witchcraft. Take part in family-friendly activities that will lead you through the power struggles and personal stories that shaped the now-infamous trial. 

If you fancy taking a break from the spooky antics, check out Kilkenomics – the world’s first economics and comedy festival. Learn all about finance, geo-politics and human behaviour from leading economists, journalists and analysts at panel discussions held by hilarious comedians.