🎃 Halloween festivals 2026 in Ireland: dates, cities, tips

Halloween was born in Ireland, and the Irish themselves know this perfectly well. During the last week of October, they celebrate Samhain, the ancient Celtic festival from which modern Halloween grew.

In 2026, the main festival program runs from October 23 to November 1 and covers the entire island (Fáilte Ireland). Individual events begin as early as the start of October. The main events take place in County Meath, Derry, Dublin, and Galway.

We have put together the festivals worth planning for in advance, along with dates, cities, and practical details.

Samhain: where Halloween came from

💡 In short:

Samhain has been celebrated on the island for more than two thousand years and is one of the four Celtic seasonal festivals (Discover Ireland).
The main festivals: Púca in County Meath, Derry Halloween, Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin, and the Macnas parade in Galway.

Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of the new year. The Celts believed that on this night the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead becomes thin, so they lit bonfires and wore costumes. That is where the lights and masks of modern Halloween come from.

The Irish have their own gateway to the otherworld. On the Hill of Ward (Tlachtga) in County Meath, according to legend, the main Samhain bonfire was lit. The nearby Hill of Tara is considered the most sacred place on the island. The cave of Oweynagat in County Roscommon was called for centuries the gate to hell, which opened precisely at Samhain.

1. Púca festival: Ireland's main Samhain celebration

The main Samhain festival takes place in the towns of Trim and Athboy in County Meath. In 2026, it runs from October 29 to November 1, and on the evening of October 31 the Samhain fire is lit in memory of ancestors (Púca schedule).

Shady tree-lined walk along the Grand Canal in Dublin

The festival takes its name from Púca, a shapeshifter from Celtic legends. Over several days you will hear Irish music, see a procession with lights, and watch street performances.

2. Derry Halloween: Europe's largest celebration

Guildhall in Derry, a neo-Gothic building with a tower

Derry Halloween in the city of Derry (Derry~Londonderry) is called the largest Halloween celebration in Europe. In 2026, it runs from October 28 to 31 and marks its 40th anniversary (Visit Derry).

The streets of the old city are closed to traffic, and a lit route called the Awakening the Walled City Trail runs through them. On the evening of October 31, a carnival parade takes place, and fireworks are launched over the River Foyle. Most street events are free, and you can wander through them all evening (Derry tourist office data).

3. Bram Stoker festival in Dublin

Dublin celebrates its native son Bram Stoker, the author of "Dracula." Bram Stoker Festival 2026 runs from October 23 to 26 and spans four days and nights (official festival website).

Macnas night parade with musicians on a float

The program is dedicated to gothic culture, Victorian Dublin, and vampire mythology. The city hosts street performances, theater, lectures, film screenings, and tours, and some events are suitable for children. Tickets for popular productions sell out weeks in advance, so check the festival website for the schedule.

4. Indoor horror attraction in Dublin

If street festivals aren't enough for you, Dublin has a large indoor horror attraction with mazes, a Halloweentown zone, actors, and live music. It's open throughout October, in the evenings.

Tickets are sold by time slot, and Friday and Saturday slots are more expensive and sell out first. This is not a place for children or people with a sensitive disposition.

5. Gaillimh Ah-Boo! and the Macnas parade in Galway

Galway has the longest Halloween season: the Gaillimh Ah-Boo! festival runs from October 23 to November 1, and the Macnas parade is celebrating its 40th anniversary (Galway Tourism).

Macnas performers on stilts at night in Galway

The headline event is the Macnas parade with its Fiáin production. The parade features giant puppets and live music, and streets are closed to traffic during the procession. The program also includes the Tine Lasta fire show and the Rituals of the Sidhe street performances. You should arrive early to secure a spot along the route.

6. Seven "Ireland, home of Halloween" hubs

In 2026, the program expanded beyond the main festivals. Seven regional hubs were added in Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford, and Westmeath. Individual program events also take place in Meath and Louth (official program).

Each hub has its own lineup: fire processions, Samhain storytelling, fairs, and family programs. The Longford and Westmeath program runs from October 2 to November 8 (Samhain in the Heartlands).

7. Belfast: murder mystery and haunted houses

Belfast in Northern Ireland also joins in the celebration. The city hosts murder mystery evenings and haunted location tours. The program changes every year, so check dates locally. This option suits you if you prefer intimate stories over crowds.

Grand Canal in Dublin with green banks and trees

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

When is Halloween celebrated in Ireland in 2026?

The main program runs from October 23 to November 1, with individual events starting as early as the beginning of October. Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin takes place from October 23 to 26, Derry Halloween from October 28 to 31, and Púca in Meath from October 29 to November 1 (Fáilte Ireland data).

Where is the main Samhain festival held?

The country's main Samhain celebration takes place in County Meath: it's the Púca festival in the towns of Trim and Athboy. The largest-scale celebration awaits you in Derry, where Derry Halloween is held. Both events are part of the government's Ireland, Home of Halloween program (Fáilte Ireland data).

How much do festival tickets for Halloween cost?

Street events in Derry and Galway are free, you only pay for individual performances and indoor attractions. Tickets for the Dublin horror attraction are sold by time slot, and they cost more on weekends. Check the official festival websites for exact prices (Derry visitor office).

Where to go for Halloween with kids?

The Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin, with its street theater and daytime events, works well for families, as do the regional hubs with fairs and Samhain storytelling. The indoor horror attraction and late carnival parades are better left to adults. Check the festival websites for children's programming.

What to do if you have already been to Púca and Derry Halloween?

Head to Galway for the Macnas parade and the Gaillimh Ah-Boo! festival, check out the big horror attraction in Dublin, or pick one of the seven regional hubs. The hub program runs into early November; check their websites for tickets and dates (Samhain in the Heartlands).

In short: what is worth booking

If you want to see the country's main Samhain celebration: Púca in County Meath. If you want Europe's biggest celebration: Derry Halloween. If you are traveling with kids: Bram Stoker Festival events in Dublin.

Halloween accommodation gets booked up quickly, so reserve early. Festival dates change every year, so confirm them on the official websites.

Halloween in Ireland: where to go in 2026, from Derry to Galway