Kicking off the musical portion of the festival on Thursday night is headline act Glen Hansard. The Oscar-winning songwriter is set to take his latest two-volume album, Transmissions East and Transmissions West, to the Púca Big Top stage, performing intimate renditions of his top hits. The next night, The Coronas will make the stage their own with the help of Irish songstress Róisín O.

Meanwhile over in the Trim Castle Hotel, Hothouse Flowers will be sharing their unique mash-up of folk, rock and the blues. If you can't stay away from a great Freddie Mercury tribute act, Knightsbrook Hotel will host Qween and the Dublin Gospel Choir on Halloween night. Imagine energetic 1970s rock blended with the classical voices of the angels. 

Throughout the festival, the Swift Cultural Centre will act as the base for all things comedy. Breaking in the stage on October 29 is comedienne Enya Martin. The former comedy sketch queen may have swapped her skits for stand-up, but her sharp wit still shines through her collection of real-life anecdotes. 

The following evening, return for John Colleary and his brand-new stand-up show, Mighty Quack. Shane Daniel Byrne is set to close out the programme on Halloween night with his show, Baby This Time, where he navigates his own mid-life crisis the only way he knows how – by having the craic. 

What’s a Halloween celebration without a little spectacle? Follow in the footsteps of Ireland's ancestors and join the Lighting of the Samhain Fire on Halloween night, and take in fantastic fire performances and Irish tales.

Or, celebrate the Home of Halloween with your fellow revelers at the annual Púca Procession. Tap your foot to the beating drums, sing along to traditional Irish music and marvel at the colossal floats depicting shapeshifting spirits as they take over Trim's main streets.

Experience the unique Sorcas na Samhna. With special effects, dancing and more, it’s a circus experience you’re unlikely to have had before, and performances for the whole family are happening across the entire long weekend at the Fair Green in Athboy.

For a circus with a kick, the adults-only Samhain Circus sees magic meet mischief with creepy cabaret, high wire acts, burlesque, fire performances and more from October 29 to November 1. Expect to laugh, gasp and maybe even blush inside the Samhain Circus tent at the Fair Green Park.

On October 30, sit back and take in the incredible Bluebird Absurd's gothic twist on the art of burlesque dancing at Glamour Ghouls. Or grab tickets to their Halloween burlesque show, Mná ná Samhain, inspired by the women, spirits and legends of Irish folklore.

Part concert, part carnival, Jerry Fish's Electric Slideshow Cabaret will light up Trim Castle Hotel on Halloween night. Get ready for circus performers and theatrical antics, all accompanied by some bopping beats.

Dress to impress for the Craicly Stories banquet on October 30 and 31 at the Darnley Lodge Hotel. Alongside a traditional long-table Halloween supper, you'll hear expert storytellers share Irish ghost stories, Samhain traditions and ancient Irish myths. 

Get another taste of Irish mythology at the Trim Porchfields between October 29 and November 1 with the Beyond the Veil Púca Trail. If you're a fan of ghost stories, follow guide Cynthia Simonet on a haunted walking tour through the eerie streets of Trim and learn all about the mythology and folklore of the historic festival. 

For a further deep dive into the history of the area, join one of the Heritage Tours of Tlachtga running daily throughout the festival. Now known as the Hill of Ward, this cross-section of Athboy is steeped in old Irish lore, from its connections to a sun goddess to its significance as an ancient feasting site. 

Trees are a running theme throughout Irish folklore, often seen as a sacred gateway to the Otherworld. Expert woodturner and tree-lover Damien Frayne of Frayne Woodcraft will run his Mythology of Trees Workshop over the festival. Follow him on a guided walk through Trim's native tree fields to learn about the tales and beliefs tied to each variety. Afterwards, make your way back to the Harvest Market for a live woodturning demonstration and a closer look at traditional Irish craft. 

Delve even deeper into the hidden power of nature on a Foraging and Herbology Tour with naturopath and herbalist Siobhán Carroll. Together you will forage the beautiful Porchfields in Trim and discover the healing powers of plants, as well as the role they play in Irish mythology and folklore. 

Samhain marks the end of summer, so embrace the remaining summer rays during a Meditation at Tlachtga. Running throughout the festival, you can connect with spirits of the Hill of Ward during the midday session, or rise bright and early for their daily sunrise session. 

The festival hubs of Trim and Athboy are both well-connected by means of public transport, so feel free to ditch the car for the weekend. For international visitors flying into Dublin Airport, Bus Éireann run hourly services from the airport to both locations. If you're starting your journey from Dublin, Drogheda, Navan, Slane, Kells or Mullingar, there is also a dedicated festival coach, but keep an eye out for any possible changes to routes or timetables.

For those travelling from Dublin city by train, take the Sligo train from Connolly Station until you reach Enfield, which is a 36-minute bus from Trim. This train leaves every 30 minutes. During the festival, you can hop on a dedicated shuttle bus which will transport you to and fro on the hour, every hour.