18 things to do in Dublin for Halloween 2026

The North of Dublin is going all out for their Halloween celebrations with the Fingal Festival Fire. The festival will take over three prime locations across the region: Balbriggan’s Bremore Castle, Swords Castle and Millennium Park in Blanchardstown. 

Each location will celebrate Ireland as the official Home of Halloween on October 31 with impressive musical performances, vibrant firework displays and even a spooky DJ set. 

Bremore Castle, Swords Castle, Millenium Park, Co Dublin; October 31; free.  

Media captionEnjoy the spectacle of the Festival of Fire.

Newbridge House and Farm in Donabate is getting a mystical makeover for Pumpkins After Dark – an outdoor Halloween event that’s ideal for the family. 

Level up your typical pumpkin patch experience with their 1km-long illuminated pumpkin pathway, where each step you take is lit up by an intricately carved sculpture. Along the way, you’ll meet fairies, dragons and other classic Halloween characters. You can also pick up carving tips from talented artists so that your pumpkin stands out from the rest. If all the excitement leaves you starving, feel free to indulge in the tempting selection of seasonal snacks and treats on-site. 

Newbridge House and Farm, Co Dublin; October 2-31; tickets starting at €16.

Media captionExperience Newbridge House at night.

Soak up the Halloween spirit while enjoying beautiful coastal views at the Scarecrow Festival at Skerries Mills. While most scarecrows featured in horror films were concocted to give people the heebie-jeebies, the scarecrows you'll find dotted around the Skerries Mills Community Garden were created using recycled materials as a way of promoting sustainability. See if you can spot the different materials used to bring each hay figure to life.

Afterwards, check out the festival's variety of family-friendly activities such as entertaining puppet shows, face painting and Samhain storytelling sessions. 

Skerries Mills, Skerries, Co Dublin; October 18; free. 

Return to Skerries' iconic windmills to see the Goddess of Samhain as she reveals the legends and traditions of the spooky holiday. She'll also share how early Irish beliefs and practices have influenced the way Halloween is celebrated worldwide today. After, you also have the option of feasting on a fireside Samhain supper in the lovely Windmill Café onsite. 

Skerries Mills, Skerries, Co Dublin; October 25 – 26; tickets starting at €15. 

Media captionGet in the Halloween spirit at the Skerries Mills.

Dracula is often a go-to Halloween costume, but did you know that its creator, Bram Stoker, was born in Dublin city? To celebrate the mind behind the fanged villain, the Bram Stoker Festival draws inspiration from the writer’s life and explores Dublin’s Gothic side. Brace yourself for Christopher Lee's rendition of Dracula, complete with long-lost footage, follow the Macnas Parade as it takes over the streets where Stoker once lived, or enjoy a family day out at Stokerland. 

Various venues across Dublin city; October 23 - 26; tickets starting at €14. 

Media captionBring the family for a day out at Stokerland.

If you like the idea of roaming a historic castle after hours to see what goes bump in the night, keep your calendar free for The Traitorous Tale: A Ghoulish Feast – an immersive experience filled with intrigue, suspense and surprises. Set in the grounds of Malahide Castle and Gardens, explore the historic estate after dark and discover the castle's dark past of betrayal, deception and secrets.  

Then, ease your nerves with a four-course dinner with your fellow Halloween lovers. 

Malahide Castle and Gardens, Co Dublin; Every Friday evening throughout October; tickets starting at €120. 

Media captionUncover the little details of Malahide Castle.

Malahide Castle and Gardens also has plenty to keep the the little ones busy throughout the Halloween season. From October 17 to 31, take on The Haunted Trail: Malahide Samhain Festival and explore four immersive zones dotted around the grounds. Follow the trail and meet the castle's resident ghosts before visiting the Celtic Samhain Village to take part in ancient Irish traditions such as turnip carving, fire performances and storytelling. Afterwards, head to the festival's Food Village where you can satisfy your sweet tooth with seasonal treats. 

Malahide Castle and Gardens, Co Dublin; October 17-31; tickets starting at €24. 

Food was at the heart of the original Samhain celebration, so it only makes sense to carry on the tradition in modern day. Join fellow food lovers for a Feast of Samhain Cookery Class, led by professional chefs who frequently cook up a storm in the Howth Castle Cookery School. Together, you'll cook seasonal Irish dishes, explore autumn flavours and learn the culinary traditions behind Samhain. Then, reap the rewards  of your efforts by dining on the feast you made as a group.

Howth Castle Cookery School, Co Dublin; October 28-30; tickets starting at €95. 

Media captionCook up authentic seasonal meals this Halloween.

If the classic ghost stories no longer spook the kids, why not test their nerve at the Ghost Story Gathering at the Draíocht Theatre. Sit back as a troupe of performers bring brand new ghost stories to life right in front of you. If your little one is the next Stephen King, they'll also have the chance to craft their own ghost story ahead of the show which, if they're lucky, could be performed on stage. 

Draíocht Theatre, Blanchardstown; October 29; tickets starting at €10. 

Over in Naul village, the Séamus Ennis Arts Centre is creating its own Halloween hub for this year's Soul of Samhain festival. The evolving programme covers all bases, whether you want to enjoy seasonal bites at the Harvest Food Fair, learn all about native herbs and their connection to Samhain, or dive into the country's folklore during a live recording of the Irish Mythology Podcast. 

The Séamus Ennis Arts Centre; October 11-30; tickets starting at €5.

If you and your older teenagers are looking for something that will get your adrenaline pumping, head to the GAA Museum – Croke Park for their spooky Tales from the Pale tour. Brave the famous stadium's rooftop walkway while your tour guide shares sordid tales of Dublin's ghosts, ghouls and thieves.

GAA Museum – Croke Park; October 9; tickets starting at €22. 

Introduce little ones to the stories and legends of Samhain through song at Samhain Sounds in the Casino Model Railway Museum. Here, they’ll celebrate the traditions of Samhain during an hour-long tin whistle workshop with the help of their musical tutor. Afterwards, the kids can enjoy complimentary apple juice before picking their own tin whistle to take home. 

Casino Model Railway Museum, Malahide, Co Dublin; October 15, 22, 30; tickets starting at €25. 

Media captionFeel like a giant at the Casino Model Railway Museum.

If you fancy yourself a cinephile, keep Halloween night free for Tim Burton's Universe by Mystery Ensemble at the O'Reilly Theatre. The evening concert features famous tunes from the quirky filmmaker's cinematic world, from Alice in Wonderland toThe Nightmare Before Christmas.

O'Reilly Theatre at Belvedere College, Dublin; October 31; tickets starting at €20. 

For those who appreciate the finer things in life, The Dining Club at Whitestown House is ringing in the Celtic new year with a lavish Samhain feast. Doll up for a seven-course, candlelit banquet featuring seasonal dishes, all inspired by Irish folklore and made using Irish produce. The meal is made all the more immersive by a live harpist plucking ancient melodies.  

Whitestown House Estate, Co Dublin; October 23-24; tickets starting at €140. 

Media captionEnjoy an atmospheric dinner at Whitestown House.

Media credit@thediningclub

Uncovering Dublin’s eerie underbelly can work up an appetite, so why not learn all about the city’s ghost-ridden cemetery with a cup of tea in one hand and a scone in the other? Vintage Tea Trips hosts their own Glasnevin Dead Interesting Tour – a Halloween-inspired tour of Glasnevin Cemetery, Ireland’s largest cemetery. Cap off the day with a pint in the nearby Gravediggers Pub, which is rumoured to be the residence of a certain ghostly patron.  

Vintage Tea Trips, Stephen Court, Dublin city; October 3 - November 1; tickets starting at €65. 

Media captionRoam Ireland's largest cemetery.

If you’re a music lover, the Howth Hooks and Reels Samhain Festival will have you tapping your foot late into the night. Taking place on Halloween night, the festival welcomes musicians, writers and storytellers to share Halloween-themed songs and stories inspired by the mischievousness of Samhain.  

Howth Castle, Howth, Co Dublin; October 31; tickets starting at €20. 

With its manicured lawns and coastal views, Ardgillan Castle makes for a peaceful day out – but when the sun goes down, its ghostly residents may make their presence known. Experience the castle’s dark side at The Ardgillan Residents Return: Craic from the Crypt and keep your wits about you as the original residents, the Taylor family, return to cause havoc. As night falls, follow the various family members through the castle and learn juicy gossip from back in the day, local history and the tragic tale of the ghostly Lady of the Stairs.  

Ardgillan Castle, Balbriggan, Co Dublin; October 22 - November 1; tickets starting at €12. 

Media captionDiscover a different side to Ardgillan Castle.

Looking for a wholesome autumnal day out with the family? The Luggwoods Fall Festival is back for another season of fun. Think spooky forest trails, rides on the Spookwood Express, winding mazes and plenty of sweet treats. Plus, there’s a huge pumpkin patch where the little ones can pick out their own pumpkins to take home. 

Luggwoods, Co Dublin; October 17 - 31; tickets starting at €24.95. 

Feel the fright

Embrace capital’s dark side and explore the most haunted locations in Dublin.