11 of The Best Events On Halloween in Dublin
At this scary time of year, Dublin is packed with incredible events that you absolutely cannot miss. Get into the spirit of Halloween, take in the eerie atmosphere and feel the supernatural power. Just be careful of any roaming ghosts.
Here I leave you a guide of 11 of The Best Events On Halloween in Dublin.
1. Bram Stoker Festival: 4 Days and Nights of Deadly Adventures
Dates: October 25-28
Location: Dublin City
Four days and nights of deadly adventures! Bram Stoker Festival is one of Dublin’s biggest Halloween festivals, celebrating the legacy of “Dracula” author, Bram Stoker. Taking inspiration from Stoker’s work and the Dublin of his time, the festival celebrates the Gothic, the supernatural, and the after-dark.
The festival offers outdoor spectacles, world film premieres and award-winning theatre productions; a circus of film,comedy, and art set in a dark forest.
Tip: You should attend the Slaughterhouse of Horrors by the Irish Film Institute, on Saturday 26th of October: a unique night of horror films, art and music.
2. The Nightmare Realm: The Village of Fear
Dates: October 4 – November 1
Location: Dublin City Council Wholesale Fruit Vegetable and Flower Market, Mary’s Ln
The Nightmare Realm, the famous Village of Fear, celebrates fifteen years of fear this month! This extreme scare attraction is one of the most terrifying Halloween events in Dublin. It’s an interactive haunted house with disturbing characters and scary storylines.
Each year, the Nightmare Realm features new and increasingly fearful themes, with multiple mazes designed to disorient and frighten visitors. Expect to find multiple clowns, malevolent spirits and all manner of horrifying creatures you might be afraid of.
Tip: This is one of the most popular and intense Halloween attractions in Dublin, so I suggest you book your tickets in advance!
3. Ghostbus Tour: Get On If You Dare
Dates: Mon-Sun, 7pm and 9.30pm
Location: The tour starts at 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
The Ghostbus Tour gives you a glimpse of Dublin’s underbelly, the dark side to this city you’ve never seen or even knew existed. It takes you through the city’s most haunted spots while you hear terrifying stories of the paranormal and attend theatrical experience with actors and ghostly tales.
The Ghostbus itself is decked out in gothic decor, providing a really immersive experience. You have to try this unique setting: explore the city’s dark past and stay cosy while being scared.
Tip: The Ghostbus Tour is ideal for birthdays, hen or stag parties, and private hires: you can turn a simple evening with friends into a fun and memorable adventure!
4. Dublin Samhain Parade: a Centrepiece of Dublin’s Celebrations
Dates: October 31
Location: Dublin City, Starting Point is Parnell Square
Organised by the Irish Pagan Community, the Dublin Samhain Parade celebrates the ancient festival of Samhain, the precursor to Halloween. The event is a spectacular visual experience: it features traditional music, drummers and huge puppets representing mythological creatures, ancient gods or spirits.
So Samhain Parade honours the Celtic ancient tradition, according to which it was celebrated the transition from summer to winter, old to new year and harvest’s end that lead to the beginning of the darker half of the year. It was a time when it was believed that the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest.
Tip: Watch the exciting fire performances and dancers light up the sky!
5. Temple Bar Area: The Best Spooky Nightlife
https://templebardublin.ie/
Temple Bar is always chaotic and lively, but during Halloween, it will become even more so. Temple Bar Halloween Pub Crawl is an experience that combines Halloween’s spirit with Irish pub culture and you can’t miss it. During the Pub Crawl you will also enjoy the immersive live music and dj’s modern tunes.
Moreover, located in the heart of Temple Bar, The Button Factory will be transformed into a haunted music venue for its annual Halloween Spooktacular event: a Halloween party famous for its costume competitions.
Tip: Remember to also check the Temple Bar’s walking tours, journeys through the district’s haunted past, or the multiple comedy nights you will have in pubs such as The International Bar and The Comedy Crunch.
6. The Haunted Trail: Halloween at Malahide Castle
Dates: October 26-27
Location: Back Rd, Malahide Demesne, Malahide, Co, Dublin
Malahide Castle, just outside Dublin, offers haunted tours through its spooky history. You’ll explore the castle’s haunted rooms, hear eerie stories of its past inhabitants, and walk through the enchanted dark woods.
It is a family-friendly event, fully accessible outdoor trail. The 1km route has been specially designed for young children but enjoyment is promised for visitors of all ages.
Tip: It’s an interactive trail, so there will be a quiz for the little ones to complete as you roam the trail with prizes for the best fancy dress!
7. Halloween Dublin Flea Market: A Spooky Shopping Experience
Dates: October 27
Location: The Digital Depot, Thomas Street – Roe Lane, Dublin 8
If you’re looking for a more relaxed Halloween experience, you can trust the Dublin Flea Market. It often hosts the special Halloween edition, which this year will be Sunday, October 27th. You might find an eclectic mix of vintage goods, antiques and handcrafted items, perfect for the scary season.
So If you are a lover of unique finds and you like to support local businesses, you have to attend Dublin Flea Market: Halloween Edition!
Tip: The market is a great spot to enjoy live music and delicious food from local vendors: I suggest you arrive there on an empty stomach and taste local products.
8. Supernatural Dublin: The Hellfire Club Halloween Walk
Location: Montpelier, Co. Dublin
Montpelier Hill, better known as The Hellfire Club to Dubliners, is a lovely place for a walk. It has a variety of short forest trails and provides wonderful views of the city from the southwest. You should take a hike here because it is one of Dublin’s most notorious haunted spots.
The Hellfire Halloween Walk can be the perfect outdoor event, filled with ghost stories and legends surrounding this ancient hunting lodge, believed to be haunted due its dark history of occult activity.
Tip: At the top of the hill you will feel the breathtaking view over Dublin Bay: this is a great place to take pictures or selfies!
9. Unearthed Dark Dublin Walking Tours: The Dark Side of the “Fairy’s City”
Dates: Mon-Sun, 5:30pm
Location: Starting Point is Barnardo Square, Dame Street
Dark Dublin Walking Tours are the best way to explore Dublin’s gruesome stories of murder, torture, cannibalism, grave robbing, brothels, proposals to eat young children, unearthly worship and more.
While getting a deeper knowledge of Dublin’s dark secrets, it can also be an opportunity for sightseeing beyond the historic centre of the city, even neighbourhoods like Smithfield. It is a more relaxed and educational experience, but always scary!
Tip: If you arrive at the starting point and cannot find the Dark Dublin Tours’ guides, look for people with purple umbrellas and name badges!
10. Scary Partying Life: Dance All Night Long
Talking about nights out in the disco in the name of music and fun, here I leave you some sites where you can search more specifically the parties for Halloween.
In addition to looking here, I recommend that you consider venues like The Academy, Opium, Copper Face Jacks, The Workman’s Club, Pygmalion, The George. They normally have themed evenings and parties that will keep you on the dance floor all night.
Tip: Follow these venues on their Social Media to have up-to-date information about their upcoming events for Halloween!
11. Dublin Zoo’s Boo at the Zoo: Something for Kids
Dates: October 28-31
Location: Dublin Zoo
If you are looking for a Halloween event that is more suitable for kids, Dublin Zoo’s Boo is perfect. Children are encouraged to dress up in their favourite costumes and take part in the zoo’s parade, with prizes awarded for the best styles.
It is the best family-friendly option because kids can learn about some of the zoo’s spookiest animals, through some fun talks or enjoy themed activities such as pumpkin carving, spooky decorations or trick-or-treat stations.
Also, specifically October 31st from 12pm Dublin Zoo announced its annual Spooktacular Boo at Dublin Zoo, where visitors are invited to take part in face paintings, spooky arts and crafts and Halloween themed talks and storytelling.
Tip: If you like the animal kingdom, you will be interested in booking a wild friends’ journey at Dublin Zoo. From birthday parties to corporate outings, organise a full thrilling experience here!
I hope these 11 points can help you choose how to enjoy a crazy lively Halloween here in Dublin. Let me know in the comments your favourite and if you will participate in one or more among them!
