But outside of the trick-or-treating and the large events such as the Bram Stoker Festival, there are lots of free, family-friendly spooky happenings organised locally across the capital.
D10 Halloween
Ballyfermot will have several Halloween events, including a Halloween Swap Shop at Orchard Community Centre where you can bring your old Halloween costume and swap it for a pre-loved one.
There’ll also be a Zombie Run in Le Fanu Park, a Spooky Halloween for children with special needs, Ballyfermot Youth Service Zombie Ballet, a Haunted House, Day of the Dead family fun day, Halloween Hullabaloo, a film screening of A Nightmare Before Christmas and a Firework Spectacular at Cherry Orchard Park.
All events are on October 31, and full details can be found here.
Darndale Together After Dark
An evening of fun Halloween entertainment in Darndale Belcamp Village Centre on Thursday, October 31, from 4pm until 7pm, with an “energetic line-up of music, street theatre, DJ, dance, circus carousels and fireworks”.
The event includes Crazy Carousels at the Green, Haunted House, Sphere 17 Darndale, face-painting on the square, walkabout characters from Artastic, The Bubble Guys and Arachnid FX, Art-Attack! creative workshops with Immanuel Godson and Sharon Fowler, Party Palz popcorn, candy floss and slushie – complimentary for the kids.
Double Trouble at the Dead Zoo, with author/illustrator Alan Nolan reading from his latest book, will also take place.
Darndale Together After Dark main stage includes DJ Will Softly and The Bubble Guys, D17 Choir and The Witches Dance, TBL8 Brass Band, and Go Dance for Change bring you Power Rangers.
There will also be a fireworks display at 7pm. Full details and times can be found here.
Booh! Cabra/Glasnevin Halloween Festival
The festival runs from Monday, October 28, to Thursday, October 31, throughout the Cabra/Glasnevin area. Events and activities will include giant outdoor movie screens, fire/pyrotechnic performances, giant games, magic shows, storytelling, fancy dress parties and scary story walks to name but a few.
The programme will also include a special event aimed at supporting older persons, with a ‘Resurrected Teenagers’ afternoon tea dance.
This year’s programme will also see the addition of some autism-friendly and accessible spaces at particular venues. Full details can be found here.
Dockers and Demons, Ringsend/Irishtown
This is a family-friendly celebration of community, creative arts and all things spooky, set against the backdrop of Dublin’s historic Docklands.
Community groups, organisations, volunteers and local artists bring an array of events and activities which include dress-up parties, haunted house experiences, talent displays, arts and crafts workshops and scary storytelling.
The Big Top Festival Circus tent at Ringsend Park is a central gathering point for all, as it comes alive with chills, thrills, and all sorts of eerie entertainment on October 30 and 31.
All events are free, but some require booking in advance. Full details can be found here.
Liberties Haunt Halloween Festival
The Liberties is set to transform into a thrilling playground of spooky delights as it hosts the Liberties Haunt Festival, a community-led event that is guaranteed to deliver a wickedly good time for all ages.
The festival will take place from 5pm to 8pm on October 31 in the heart of Dublin’s historic Liberties district.
Children and adults alike can test their skills with classic carnival games, try their luck at prize stalls, and be wowed by mesmerising performances from talented local artists, magicians and performers.
A perfect night for dressing up, there will be plenty of photo opportunities for families to capture their spooky costumes as they immerse themselves in the eerie atmosphere.
Full details can be found here.
Crumlin Halloween Festival
Eamonn Ceannt Park’s Velodrome Ring will be transformed into a mini HalloweenTown on October 31, as locals and visitors alike can experience a ghost train ride, bike parade, obstacle course, live music, and a magic show.
For those who aren’t looking for anything overly scary, there will also be face painting, balloon modelling, cartoon characters and fancy dress. Full details can be found here.
Finglas Fright Night
The Finglas Halloween Festival will take place from 6pm to 9pm on October 31 at Finglas Civic Centre, Mellowes Road.
There’ll be a sensory hour from 5pm to 6pm, before the general public can enjoy fairground rides, carnival stalls, a fireworks display, food stations, face painters, balloon modellers, and local music acts.
Face-painting will be available to perfect your spooky look
There’ll also be a surprise tribute act with the hint being that “this person sold out three concerts in the summer”. Full details can be found here.
Otherworld Festival, Ballymun
Taking place from 6pm to 9pm on October 31 on the grounds of Trinity Comprehensive School, Otherworld is an annual Halloween arts festival run by community groups, axis Ballymun and DCC.
There’ll be Circus Gerbola, funfair rides for kids and teens, an Arts tent with face painting, balloon modelling, spooky characters to have your photo taken with, Witchesbrew Café, Spooky Monsters Dance and a fireworks display.
Full details can be found here.
Tallaween
A virtual Halloween theme park will take over Parthalán Place cultural quarter in Tallaght from October 19 to 31. The Tallaween Festival will begin as part of the annual Red Line festival taking place this month.
Tallaween transforms the streets of Tallaght into a living, breathing storybook. Inspired by Dante’s Inferno, this multi-media experience will bring to life creatures from mythology, horror and science fiction and includes an augmented reality mobile game and a thrilling video projection with a laser light show.
Full details can be found here.
Festival of Fire in Fingal
This event will take place across four separate locations: Bremore Castle in Balbriggan, Swords Town Park, Malahide Castle, and Millennium Park in Blanchardstown.
The Festival of Fire kicks off with a ‘scary disco’ musical prelude before a breathtaking fireworks display lights up the night sky at 7.30pm. Full details can be found here.
Witches and Wizards, Donabate
Taking place at 1pm on Sunday, October 27 at Turvey Nature Reserve, this fun event is where you can make your very own witches or wizard’s broom or wand using natural materials found around the park.
Then finish it off with glitter and spray to give it that final touch of magic, a hands-on creative event for families. There’ll be owls on the day too. Full details can be found here.
