Ireland is often touted as the “home of Halloween,” because modern Halloween traditions descend in part from the Celtic festival of Samhain, when the boundary between the living and the dead was thought to grow thin. 

So when you celebrate Halloween in Ireland, you’re kind of stepping into that ancestral energy. The nights grow long, bonfires glow, legends stir — and towns across the country stage spectacular events.

In 2025, expect a richer calendar than ever, thanks to “Halloween hubs” being expanded around the country.

Below are some marquee events and regional highlights you won’t want to miss.

Major Halloween Events to Watch in 2025

Derry Halloween Festival (Northern Ireland)

• Dates: October 28–31, 2025
• Website: Derry Halloween Festival
• What to expect: Four nights of magical street theatre, the “Awakening the Walled City Trail”, a grand Carnival Parade & Fireworks finale on October 31, plus aerial performances, pyrotechnics, immersive installations, and storytelling.
• It’s often billed as Europe’s largest Halloween festival, and draws tens of thousands of visitors every year.

If you’re coming from the U.S., it’s absolutely worth considering staying in Derry for a few nights to absorb the full festival atmosphere.

Bram Stoker Festival — Dublin

• Dates: October 31 – November 3, 2025
• Website: Bram Stoker Festival
• This is Dublin’s gothic-tinged celebration of Dracula’s author (a Dublin native). Think: theatrical performances, literary events, immersive art installations, pop-up Victorian-themed experiences, ghost tours and more.
• A Stokerland “fun park” for families is planned in St. Patrick’s Park.
• You may also find “Songs of the Spirits: East Meets West” — a musical performance crossing cultural lines — during that weekend.

If you base yourself in Dublin, this festival gives you a mix of literary, theatrical, and gothic Halloween flavours.

Púca Festival — Meath / Ancient East

• When: Several nights around Halloween 2025
• Website: Púca Halloween Festival 2025
• Highlights:
    • Projections on Trim Castle — audio-visual displays transforming the medieval walls into a storytelling canvas.
    • Fire, folklore, music, feasting, and processions.
    • “Púca Markets” with artisan food, crafts, and seasonal treats.
• In 2025, new transport links and shuttle services will improve accessibility from Dublin, Drogheda, Kildare, etc. So keep eye on Púca Halloween Festival 2025 for details.
• Also, the popular Irish entertainers The 2 Johnnies will be headlining.

If you want an event that’s deeply local, mystical, and tied to historical landscapes, Púca is ideal.

Galway Halloween Festival & Macnas Parade

• When: Typically in late October, culminating on Halloween night
• Website: Galway Halloween Festival
• What to expect:
    • Macnas Parade — giant puppets, theatrical street performances, light, sound, and spectacle.
    • Haunted history tours, spooky cinema events, kids’ programs, and more.

Galway has always had a strong creative arts community, so on a Halloween run here you’ll find both high production value events and grassroots, quirky happenings.

The Nightmare Realm (Dublin)

• When: October 2025 (no exact dates yet)
• Website: The Nightmare Realm
• This is Ireland’s top-rated indoor “scream park” or haunted attraction.
• In 2025, it’s returning with five new haunted mazes, immersive horror sets, live actors, interactive horror zones, food & themed shops, and aerial effects.
• It will run through early November.

This is perfect if you love big scares, professional sets, and horror cinema-level immersion.

Other Notable Events Around Halloween in Ireland

• Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade (Cork): On October 31, Cork hosts this dragon-themed night parade. You’ll walk with the dragon through city streets, with music, dance, costumes.
• Samhain Processions & Fire/Shadow Parade Events: Various towns host processions, fire shows, and light installations across late October.
• Haunted Tours & Ghost Walks: Most cities (Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Galway) will run ghost walks, castle hauntings, and “dark history” tours.
• Haunted Houses / Scare Attractions: Smaller scale haunted houses, seasonal pop-ups (“Haunted House on the Hill”, “Scare Factory”, “Cornmaze Massacre”) will likely be active.
• You can get more info about these events here

Also, many heritage sites and castles may run special evening events or ghost stories tied to Samhain lore.

Travel Tips & Strategy for a Spontaneous Trip

• Pick your hub(s). If you fly into Dublin, you can partake in the Bram Stoker Festival and The Nightmare Realm. If you’re more daring, hop north for Derry’s festival or venture to the Ancient East for Púca.
• Book early. Hotels and B&Bs near festival towns like Derry, Trim, Athboy and Galway fill up fast in late October.
• Use local transport or festival shuttles. For Púca, expect shuttle bus services from surrounding towns to festival sites.
• Allow time to wander. Some of the best moments come from impromptu ghost walks, street performances, and small-town lights.
• Bring layers and a flashlight. October nights in Ireland can be sharp and damp. A warm jacket, waterproof gear, and a small torch help.
• Mix big and small. Don’t try to drive from Derry to Dublin on the same night. Instead, pick one festival or region as your base and soak it in.