The Big Scream Festival, in conjunction with Dublin City Council (DCC), features activities across Dublin 1 such as funfairs, a haunted house, a doggy dress-up parade, spooky history walks, and film screenings.
The big finish is the spooktacular Big Scream Carnival on October 31 where local families can enjoy free rides on the Ghost Train along the canal.
The festival is run, managed and delivered by a community-led steering group. Youth and childcare committees are providing activities for over 1,000 children and young people in the run-up to Halloween.
Leona Fynes, from DCC, said the packed agenda of activities will discourage people from getting involved in anti-social behaviour on Halloween night.
Members of MaSamba drumming at Connolly Station in Dublin for the launch of the Big Scream Festival. Pic: Sam Boal /Collins Photos
“It encourages community participation. We want to divert certain types of behaviour around Halloween and promote participating in the community in a positive way,” she said.
“Last year, there was one wheelie bin set on fire on Halloween night, that was the only thing. There’s a huge effort that goes into activating the area and making sure everyone has fun.
“It’s a safe place to gather without the risk of illegal activities.”
Fr Michael Casey, who works in the local community at the Lady of Lourdes parish, is excited for the week ahead.
“We’ve tried to make Halloween a fun, family and safe event. Sean McDermott Street becomes a playground,” he said.
“There’ll be a Hansel and Gretel opera in the church too for the kids. In the evening, the Ukrainian choir will also perform.
“Often, the inner city gets a bad rep, but in recent times, we’ve been in the limelight for all the good reasons like Kellie Harrington winning the Olympics.
A member of the gardaí gets into the Halloween spirit at the launch of the Big Scream Festival. Pic: Sam Boal /Collins Photos
“There’s a great sense of community, it’ll be great to come together and celebrate the trick or treating,” Fr Casey added.
All events are free, providing accessible entertainment and cultural activities for local residents from pre-schoolers to senior citizens.
Other events include a doggy dress-up parade in Diamond Park, synchronised swimming in Sean McDermott Street Pool and a special performance from the Ukrainian Soul Choir on October 30 at Sean McDermott St Church.
Fernando Basqueroto, a music teacher at Masamba Samba School, is delighted to get involved with the festival.
“We’re from a samba school based in Dublin, we’ve been together for 30 years,” he said.
“We’re doing the Big Scream performance, it’s a drumming performance we do in the schools in the city centre.
“I’ve been here for a year and a half, we do workshops, trying to bring Brazilian culture to Dublin.
“For me it’s a pleasure to be a part of it because it spreads Brazilian culture. As a Brazilian who lives in Dublin, it’s a pleasure, I feel very honoured to teach Brazilian drumming.”
Members of MaSamba drumming and local school children launching the Big Scream Festival in Dublin. Pic: Sam Boal /Collins Photos
Schools in the area will be visited by members of the Fire Service, Animal Welfare and An Garda Síochána to learn about fire prevention, harm reduction and animal safety.
Noel Wardick, CEO of Dublin City Community Co-Op, added: “The Big Scream Festival is a really important social event in the North East Inner City. It brings families, young people and senior citizens together.
“This is an opportunity to show the real spirit and the real heart of this community in all its diversity, it’s an open and welcoming community.”
“There’ll be fun, happiness, enjoyment. People here are really proud of their community; they look after each other here too.”
The Big Scream Festival runs from October 22 to 31. All events are free, but booking is essential for some events. See bigscream.ie for details
