What’s On in Dublin: October 2026 | Halloween Edition

The weather might be turning cold but our Dublin Halloween Guide is here to bring you back to life with all kinds of spooky, magical, and exciting experiences around Dublin this October.

Let Spooky Season begin 🎃🪄

🔥 SAMHAIN SPOTLIGHT: Fingal Festival of Fire

Before Halloween, there was Samhain, an ancient Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Traditionally celebrated around October 31st and November 1st, Samhain is considered a time when the boundary between the living and the supernatural world is at its thinnest.

To help protect from evil spirits and purify the area, people lit bonfires and gathered around the flames. While you probably won’t need to worry too much about supernatural visitors these days, fire remains a big part of Halloween celebrations in Ireland. Across the country, modern Samhain celebrations continue to bring people together with bonfires, music, and storytelling.

This October, the tradition lives on at the Fingal Festival of Fire near Dublin, a free festival bringing the spirit of Samhain to life through music and fireworks displays.

👻 HAUNTED HISTORY

• Ghostbus Tour – This isn’t your average tour bus. Hop on board (if you dare) for a journey of twists and turns through Dublin’s haunted past with professional actors and storytellers.And unlike Dublin’s other buses, this one will actually turn up.
• Darkland: The Last Boat at the National Leprechaun Museum, Oct 1st to 31st – Don’t be fooled by the leprechaun’s fun, cutesy image. These tiny tricksters have some tricks up their sleeves. Listen to the museum’s darkest folktales in an immersive storytelling experience.
• Dead Interesting Tour at Glasnevin Cemetery – Journey through over 190 years of Irish history and discover famous figures, local legends, and haunting tales along the way.
• Samhain Tours at Howth Castle, Oct 28th to Nov 1st – Step inside Howth castle’s hallowed halls for ghost stories and folklore in this special tour.
• The Irish Origins of Halloween at the EPIC Museum, Oct 26th to Nov 1st – Did you know Halloween originates from Ireland? Learn more this month at the Irish Emigration Museum.
• Tales from the Pale at Croke Park – Another spooky tour of Dublin’s dark history, but with panoramic city views from the rooftop of Croke Park.

🔮 MAGIC & WONDER

• Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House, Oct 2nd to 31st – Newbridge House’s amazing pumpkin art and displays return for a magical evening of seasonal treats, activities, and pumpkin carving.
• The Book of Kells at Trinity College Dublin – Pay a visit to Bram Stoker’s alma mater and explore the old library for an afternoon straight out of a dark academia novel.
• The Little Pig Speakeasy – A hidden bar with dark red velvet interiors and expertly crafted cocktails. It’s the perfect gothic hideaway from the chilly weather.
• Samhain Festival at Malahide Castle – Discover Malahide’s 12th-century castle during their annual Samhain Festival, bringing a haunted trail through the castle grounds and candlelit storytelling as night falls.
• Fingal Festival of Fire, Oct 31st – Celebrate Samhain with an evening of fireworks, music, and entertainment at this free Halloween festival.

🧛 FRIGHTFUL DELIGHTS

• Bram Stoker Festival, Oct 23rd to 26th – Celebrate the man behind Dracula during Dublin’s huge four-day festival of parades, talks, movies, workshops, and more. Plus, don’t forget to visit Stokerland, with Victorian-style rides, performances, and spooky vibes set against St Patrick’s towering spire.
• Lark After Dark Halloween Double Bill at The Lark, Oct 26th – Watch two classic horror movies back-to-back with other film fanatics.
• St Michan’s Church – Descend underground for a creepy tour of the church’s crypt, containing the mummified remains of some of Dublin’s most prominent figures – once visited by Bram Stoker himself before he wrote Dracula.
• Museum of Curiosities – This little museum lives up to its claim of Dublin’s most unusual destination, showcasing everything from haunted dolls to creepy clowns and a two-headed cow.

🎤 CONCERTS & SHOWS

• The World of Hans Zimmer at 3Arena – Oct 4th
• The Pussycat Dolls at 3Arena – Oct 5th
• The Strokes at 3Arena – Oct 28th
• The Script at 3Arena – Oct 30th and 31st

🎭 DUBLIN THEATRE

• Animals at the Abbey Theatre, Sept 23rd to Nov 7th – A globetrotting, absurdist spectacle inspired by the short stories of acclaimed Irish writer Blindboyboatclub. Expect the unexpected.
• Meredith at the Gate Theatre, Sept 25th to Nov 1st – Experience this brand-new production exploring the complexities of family and modern life.
• Let me In at Dublin Municipal Theatre, Oct 4th to 10th – A new darkly funny play exploring belonging, identity, and what it means to feel truly at home.
• Hocus Pocus at the Civic Theatre, Oct 23rd to 31st – Who said pantomime was just for Christmas? Join for a wickedly funny Halloween.
• Beards at Smock Alley Theatre, Oct 29th to Nov 7th – Travel all the way back to the Middle Ages for a gloriously silly and queer musical comedy.

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