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4 eventi che svelano le origini di Halloween in Irlanda

13 August 2026

Se avete in programma un viaggio in Irlanda questo ottobre, questi quattro eventi vi offrono l'opportunità di scoprire le storie, le tradizioni e i luoghi di Halloween, da spettacolari festival e attività gratuite per bambini a indimenticabili esperienze di Halloween a Dublino.

Pumpkin
Experience the Ancient Spirit of Halloween at Púca Festival, Meath

Taking place in Trim and Athboy, County Meath, from 29 October to 1 November 2026, Púca celebrates the folklore, mythology and traditions of Samhain, the ancient Gaelic festival linked to Halloween.

 

Beyond the festival, visitors can explore County Meath's ancient landscapes, including the Boyne Valley and Newgrange before experiencing Halloween after dark. For travellers seeking the Irish roots of Halloween, Púca offers an immersive experience of the season.

 

Families visiting Meath can also look out for free activities for kids and family-friendly events taking place around Halloween, making the area an appealing destination for visitors of all ages.

Carnival ride at Puca Festival in Co. meath, people having fun on a ride

Discover Dublin's Gothic Side at the Bram Stoker Festival

For a Halloween experience combining literature, history and the supernatural, spend Halloween weekend in Dublin.

 

The Bram Stoker Festival takes place from 23–26 October 2026, bringing four days and nights of gothic-inspired events and experiences to the city. The festival celebrates Dublin-born author Bram Stoker, whose novel Dracula became one of the world's most famous Gothic stories.

 

For those who want to delve deeper into Dublin’s darker side, a ride on the Dublin Ghost Bus offers one of the best nights out in Dublin through the city’s haunted history, eerie legends and supernatural stories.

A fun fair and markets in St Patrick's Park, Co. Dublin during the Bram Stoker Festival in 2023

Experience Derry Halloween in the Historic Walled City

From 28–31 October 2026, Derry city's famous Halloween celebrations will once again transform the historic Walled City with performances, entertainment and spectacular street events. This year is particularly special, as Derry Halloween celebrates its 40th anniversary.

 

A Halloween trip here could easily be extended to include the Causeway Coast and Giant's Causeway, creating an unforgettable journey through some of the north's most dramatic landscapes.

 

If you're visiting from overseas, remember that Halloween is one of Derry's busiest periods, so booking accommodation and travel in advance is recommended.

A church in Co. Derry, Ireland at night time with Fireworks in the background during Halloween

Watch Galway Come Alive with Macnas

If you want to experience Halloween through spectacle, storytelling and imagination, make your way to Galway. Macnas is renowned for turning the streets of Galway into an extraordinary theatrical world, bringing characters and stories to life through large-scale outdoor performance.

 

Galway also makes a fantastic base for exploring the west of Ireland. Combine the city's Halloween celebrations with a trip to Connemara, the Burren or the Cliffs of Moher for an autumn adventure that takes you far beyond the festival itself.

 

The 2026 parade is expected to take place on 25 October, although the date remains subject to confirmation.

Halloween Parade in Ireland

Discover the Stories Behind Halloween in Ireland

While Ireland's Halloween festivals are spectacular, the true essence of Halloween can also be found in the country's rich tradition of storytelling.

 

For generations, Irish stories have been passed from one person to another, filled with mysterious creatures and supernatural encounters.

 

A man wearing a skull mask leaning over to face the camera during a Halloween festival in Co. Longford, Ireland

 

So, if you're visiting Ireland this Halloween, don't just look for somewhere to celebrate. Take the opportunity to discover the stories behind the celebration - and the places where Ireland's history, folklore and imagination come together.