Did you know Halloween originally dates back to the ancient Celtic Festival of Samhain?! It started as a way to celebrate the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. Halloween is traditionally celebrated on October 31st – which is said to be a time when the veil between the living and the dead is at its thinnest.
Today, Ireland is still the place to be for Halloween. Here are some parties that are sure to send a shiver down your spine!
Derry Halloween Festival (Oct 28-31)
Derry, in Northern Ireland, throws one of the most iconic Halloween festivals on the planet, blending both ancient Samhain rituals with modern traditions. Every year, Derry puts on a spectacular show with spooky costumes, parades, fireworks, harvest markets and lots more. For 4 incredible nights in October, this ancient city comes alive! In fact, in 2015, USA Today named it the ‘Best Halloween Destination in the World!’ This unique festival truly is one of the most memorable places to visit during the Halloween season.
Spirit of Meath Halloween Festival (Oct 3rd – Nov 9th)
This jampacked festival is celebrated all over Meath in the historic Boyne Valley. It is one of Ireland’s biggest Halloween festivals and just a short drive from Dublin city centre. You have the option of having family-fun during the day and being epically spooked at night. Some of the 2025 events include ‘Farmaphobia,’ ‘Pooka Spooka,’ ‘Howl-o-ween,’ and of course, the ‘Puca’ festival. This is your chance to celebrate Halloween in the very place where it began! The Spirit of Meath Festival makes for an electrifying display of Halloween horrors.
Westport House Halloween Festival (Oct 28–31)
Westport House located in Co. Mayo, promises to scare you this Halloween season. Hop on the Spooky Train before stepping inside the mystical Westport House, filled with magical surprises. Westport has something the whole family can enjoy – with a magic show, circus feats, puppetry, and a Halloween themed dinner. Plus, you can even visit the dark dungeons where Pirate Queen Grace O’ Malley once locked up her prisoners.
Bram Stoker Festival (Oct 31st – Nov 3rd)
Did you know that Bram Stoker, the mastermind behind Dracula, was born in Dublin?! The Bram Stoker Festival is a gothic festival created in his honour, and should be on everyone’s bucket list! It features theatre, art, music, and immersive experiences – and Dublin’s Victorian architecture provides the perfect backdrop! Don’t miss the Bram Stoker’s Walking Tour, which allows you to follow in his footsteps and see the sights that inspired his greatest works. This festival celebrates both gothic culture and Irish mythology, while paying ode to a literary legend.
Galway Macnas Parade (Oct 26th)
‘The Summoning of the Lost’ has been named the official theme for the 2025 Macnas Parade. Every Halloween, Macnas puts on a free parade that weaves its way through Galway city, typically lasting around 2 hours. Come early if you want a good spot, as it draws crowds form all over Ireland and beyond. The event is more spooky than scary, which makes it perfect for a family-day out. The Macnas Parade is famous for its wild characters and crazy costumes- it’s a moving piece of art!