All Events

Halloween at Hole in the Wall

Halloween venue for October!

This October, Galway's iconic Hole in the Wall is transforming into a Halloween destination for the entire month! Expect hauntingly spectacular decorations, creepy themed cocktails, delicious food, an electric atmosphere and amazing live performers every weekend Think Halloween meets freatk show - weird, wonderful and full of surprises.

Saturday 3rd October - We're kicking off a month of Halloween madness with a huge opening Saturday featuring live music, live performances and plenty of surprises. Come see Hole in the Wall's Halloween transformation in all it's spooky glory!

Fancy Dress Compeition - Thursday 29th October - Time to go all out! Get dressed up and join us for our Halloween Fancy Dress Competition, with some fantastic prizes to be won.

Halloween Night Party - Saturday 31st October - Ditch the trick or treating and head into the biggest Halloween bash in town! Expect a hugh live of live entertainment, spooky cocktails, outrageous costumes and Halloween mayhem as we take the celebrations right through Halloween night.

Planning a Halloween party? - Getting the gang together or organising a night out with colleagues? We have Halloween party packages available throughout October, with delicious food, drinks and entertainment all under on e seriously spooky roof. Whether it's drinks with friends, a bite to eat, a work night out or the full Halloween experience, there's something happening thorughout October. This Halloween, step inside Hole in the Wall..if you dare.

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Shapeshifters exhibition by Shona Shirley McDonald

10th -19th October, Free, age 3 +, Outset Gallery, Cornstore Mall

Come on a fantastical visual journey through other worlds of myth, folktale, poetry and wonder created by Shona Shirley Macdonald. An award-winning illustrator and author based in Co. Waterford, Shona creates unique characters and mystical worlds that fire the imaginations of children and adults alike.

The exhibition includes illustrations from Shona’s new picture book The Amazing Jam as well as her debut picture book The Pooka Party. Also featured are Girls Who Slay Monsters by Ellen Ryan, Cluasa Capaill ar an Rí by Bridget Breathnach, The Moon Spun Round by W. B. Yeats, Noreen Doody and An Féileácén agus an Rí by Máire Zepf.

Please note: the artwork in this exhibition is for sale.

In partnership and supported by

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Moving Words by Selma Daniels

10th - 11th October, €8, 6-10yrs old, Mick Lally Theatre, Druid Lane

Sit down, not for long though!

Enter the world of Fin and the Wicked Fairy of Tara in this live dance performance event for young audiences that combines the art of contemporary dance with a live reading. Perfect your greatest warrior moves, fly like a fairy or hunt in the darkest forest in the accompanying interactive workshop.

Created by Irish/Brazilian choreographer Selma Daniel, this is story time as you’ve never experienced it before!

In partnership and supported by

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"The Nightmare Club: Spooky Storycraft"

10th October, 4pm, 8-11yr olds, €8, O’Donoghue Centre, University of Galway

Spooky season is the perfect time of year for ghost stories! Join author Deirdre Sullivan to learn what ingredients go into the creation of a terrifyingly spooky tale. Then work together to create a brand new scary story.

Suitable for young readers and writers.

In partnership and supported by

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Moth and Butterfly - Riddle me a story

October 10th to November 10th, Storytrail map released on 10th October on Moth and Butterfly website, Adult and family friendly

Riddle me a Story is a new interactive audio storytelling trail that takes place across several locations in Galway City as part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Audiences will delight in solving riddles and listening to seasonal and spooky stories while exploring the city. Can they solve the storytrail's riddle? Each location will contain a clue leading the participant to the story password! Please see individual story posters for age suitability, Full information coming soon to Moth and Butterfly website

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"Illustrating a Character" Shona Shirley McDonald workshops

11th October, €8, 5-10yrs old, Outset Gallery, Cornstore Mall **Please note, venue is partially accessible from Cornstore Mall.

Join illustrator and author Shona Shirley Macdonald in this interactive art workshop based on creating characters for illustration.

With Shona’s wide range of skills in art and illustration and her engaging style, this is a wonderful opportunity for young artists to delve into their own imaginations and discover the depths of their creativity. Following a drawing demonstration and a glimpse into the process of creating a book illustration, each child will get the chance to design their own character to fit into a 3D village scene.

All materials provided. Dress for mess!

In partnership and supported by

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"Play & Create" Art Room 109 workshops

11th October & 17th October, 1-12yrs, €8, Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay

Join experienced art teacher Kate Kelly for a hands-on art and sensory play experience where children are free to create, explore and play. With a range of open ended art and sensory play invitations, children can follow their own ideas, make their own choices and engage at their own pace.

Designed for children of all abilities and their grown ups, this playful experience encourages creativity, curiosity and connection. It’s the perfect opportunity to unplug, connect and enjoy quality time together in a supportive environment.

Dress for mess and arrive ready to play!

In partnership and supported by

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Deirdre Sullivan literature events "Writing for Samhain"

11th October, 11am, 10-12yr olds, €8, O'Donoghue Centre, University of Galway

In this Samhain themed workshop led by author Deirdre Sullivan, we will engage in short writing exercises that explore folklore and tradition around Samhain. Using motifs associated with this time of the year to develop pieces of poetry or flash fiction. Weaving old practices and traditions into fiction is a way to forge depth and connection. We will look at ways to do this that are personal and respectful.

In partnership and supported by

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"Finding Your Voice"

11th Octoter, 2pm, 13-16yr olds, €8, O'Donoghue Centre, University of Galway

This writing workshop, led by author Deirdre Sullivan, will explore creative writing in depth - with an emphasis on voice, perspective and the right form for the story only you can tell.

Participants will work both individually and collaboratively, and engage with a range of approaches to writing, as well as playful and engaging ways to access inspiration and connect with their own voice.

In partnership and supported by

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Make a Samhain Wreath workshop

17th October, 1pm €30 per pair, 8-12 yrs old, Áras na nGael

Join Áine for a fun workshop where you and your adult will together learn how to decorate a willow wreath with dried flowers that you can take home with you. All flowers used are organically grown by Áine at Flós Farm, An Spidéal, Cois Fharraige and dried at home.

This is a bilingual event. All materials supplied.

Ceardlann spraoiúil a bheidh anseo le hÁine, áit an mbeidh tú ag foghlaim chun fleasc sailí a mhaisiú le bláthanna triomaithe. Fásann Áine na bláthanna seo ar a Feirm Flós, An Spidéal, Cois Fharraige agus triomaíonn sí féin iad.

Is ócáid dátheangach é seo.

In partnership and supported by

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Spooky Disco

18th October, 14:00 & 15.30, €8, Galway Rowing Club, Woodquay

DJ Will Softly will be rocking the dancefloor with his legendary Spooky Disco to get you in the mood for Halloween! DJ Will’s mix of classic anthems and dancefloor bangers will get everybody moving and grooving, no matter their age!

Wear your spookiest Halloween costume and your dancing shoes to be in with a chance to win special prizes.

Arrive anytime that suits.

In partnership and supported by

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Café Lates: Held by the Dark - A Samhain Yin Yoga & Cacao Gathering

56 Central Café, Shop St · 29 October 2026 · 6.30PM - 8PM Ticketed event

Held by the Dark - A Samhain Yin Yoga & Cacao Gathering is a candlelit evening of rest, reflection, and gentle connection inspired by the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. Facilitated by Gill Carroll, this immersive gathering invites participants to slow down through soft somatic movement and restorative Yin Yoga, creating space to ground, release, and reconnect as we move deeper into the winter season. The evening will include a ceremonial cacao ritual, guided journalling, and a symbolic letting-go practice using flame, encouraging participants to reflect on what they wish to release and carry forward into the darker months. Rooted in Irish folklore and seasonal tradition, the gathering will honour An Cailleach Bhéara, the ancient Irish goddess associated with winter, wisdom, transformation, and the land.

As Samhain is traditionally considered a time when the veil between worlds is thin, the event offers a gentle space to connect with ancestry, memory, intuition, and inner stillness within the warmth of a shared community setting.

Café Lates is a Galway City Council Night-Time Economy initiative supporting businesses to trial later openings, bringing a fresh and vibrant energy to Galway's evenings. Funded by Galway City Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

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Weird Ireland Live with Brinsley McNamara

Thursday 22nd Oct · Pálás Screen 3 · 20:00 €20

"Weird Ireland is the hit Instagram account and book, which uncovers and documents the fascinating and unique places, stories, customs, and histories that make Ireland weird. The man behind it all, Westmeath’s Brinsley McNamara is coming to #GCF26 to explore how Halloween got going here; costuming traditions around the country; a creepy tale here and there; and maybe some weird and wonderful facts about Galway.

“A wonderfully whimsical tour of the emerald isle” - Boingboing.net"

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Time by Luxmuralis

St. Nicholas Collegiate Church 23-31 October From 6.30pm - Family Friendly, Accessible

Presented by Galway City Council Night-Time Economy as part of the Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, Home of Halloween Programme.

Tickets can be purchased here via Town Hall Theatre

Internationally acclaimed pioneers of immersive light and sound Luxmuralis bring their spectacular installation Time to St Nicholas' Collegiate Church this autumn as the flagship event of the Gaillimh Ah-Boo programme. Transforming the interior of one of Ireland's most historic churches through monumental projection art, original music and immersive storytelling, Time promises an unforgettable journey through history, science, art and imagination.

Luxmuralis is the artistic collaboration of sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper. Internationally recognised for pushing the boundaries of immersive fine art, Luxmuralis create extraordinary experiences that fuse architecture, light, sound and narrative. Their breathtaking installations have transformed some of the world's most iconic cathedrals and historic landmarks, including Washington DC National Cathedral, The Old Royal Naval College, London, and cathedrals, abbeys and heritage sites across the United Kingdom, earning them a worldwide reputation for creating awe-inspiring works that celebrate both place and story.

Now, for the first time, Galway audiences will experience Time, one of Luxmuralis' most recent and thought-provoking creations. Using cinematic soundscapes and breathtaking digital artworks re-curated specifically for the architecture of each venue, Time explores humanity's enduring fascination with the concept of time.

Inspired by Einstein's theories of relativity and H.G. Wells' The Time Machine, visitors will be immersed amongst swirling galaxies and wormholes, venture inside the intricate workings of clocks, witness humanity through different eras and ultimately travel back to the very beginning of our universe. The experience culminates in a breathtaking finale beneath the soaring medieval roof of St Nicholas' Collegiate Church, where architecture, music and light combine in an awe-inspiring celebration of creation, discovery and the passage of time.

The arrival of Time coincides with the season of Samhain one of Ireland's oldest cultural traditions. Dating back more than 2,000 years, Samhain marks the transition from harvest to winter and the beginning of the Celtic New Year. Today it remains an important part of Ireland's rich cultural heritage, celebrating the changing seasons, storytelling, remembrance and community. These themes of reflection, renewal and the passage of time provide a fitting backdrop for Luxmuralis' extraordinary artistic vision.

As the flagship event of the Gaillimh Abú Festival, Time embodies the festival's celebration of Galway's heritage while embracing creativity, innovation and shared cultural experiences. Bringing together one of Ireland's oldest churches with one of the world's leading immersive artistic collaborations, the event promises to be a landmark moment in Galway's cultural calendar.

Click here to view visitor information and FAQ

Time by Luxmuralis is funded through the Galway City Council Night-Time Economy and Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Programme and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

Book Tickets

Tromluí ag an Sceach Gheal/Nightmare at the Hawthorn

October 24th and 31st, Áras Na nGael, €11, 12+

Tar linn ar feadh oíche scanrúil le scéalaíocht spreagúil/ Join us for a spooky evening of exciting immersive storytelling.

Looking for a spooky activity for this halloween season? Well look no further! We're bringing an immersive bilingual haunted house experience to Áras na nGael, Galway. Settle in and listen as we tell a cautionary tale on why you should never mess with a hawthorn tree!

Showings will be available in both Irish and English.

Suitable for ages 12+

Disclaimer- This is an immersive storytelling show performed in almost total darkness. There may be startling and frightening scenes. Actors may make light contact with audience members.

This is a haunted house experience, expect some jumpscares.

An bhfuil tú ag lorg gníomhíocht scanrúil ar feadh an Oíche Shamhna seo? Bhuel, tá sé aimsithe agat! Táimid ag tabhairt eispéireas teach taibhsí chuig Áras na nGael, Gaillimh. Suí síos agus éist linn. Is scéal aireachas é seo. Ná cuir isteach riamh le Sceach Gheal!

Ar fáil i mBéarla agus i nGaeilge.

Ar feadh aoiseanna 12+

Séanadh freagrachta- Beidh an taispeáint seo i mbeagnach dorchadas iomlán. Beidh cuid de scanrúil. San eispéireas seo tá seans go ndéanfadh na haisteoirí teagmháil éadrom leis na lucht féachana

Is teach taibhsiúil é seo. Bigí ag súil le bheith scanraithe.

Show times and what language they're in.

2:00pm/as Gaeilge, 3:00pm/as Gaeilge, 4:00pm/in English, 5:30pm/as Gaeilge, 6:30pm/as Gaeilge, 7:30pm/in English.

Book Tickets

Macnas Parade

Sunday, 25th October, 2026, 5.30pm, Family viewing: Father Griffin Road, Eglington Street. Accessible viewing: Galway Cathedral.

Presented by Galway City Council Night-Time Economy as part of the Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, Home of Halloween Programme.

Fiáin (fee-awn) is a celebration of the wild – the wild elements of the West of Ireland, the wild inspirations that have imbued our work over the last 40 years, and the wild energy that engulfs the streets, performers and audiences as we own the streets and public spaces for one night only.

Audiences will be brought on a journey by Macnas conjuring up a magical-realist world brimming with fizzing light, infusing the streets with spices and aromas, wafting and roaming around dense dark corners that rise to meet the transcendental and magical. It promises to be strange, unpredictable and utterly mesmerising.

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Spencer Jones: The Experimental Kids Show

Sunday 25th Oct · Pálás Screen 1 · 12:00 Tickets €15 / €12 U13s

BAFTA-nominated and twice Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated, Spencer Jones unleashes an hour of wild, no-story visual comedy with daft music, surreal props and bonkers energy. Where anything can happen and usually does. Expect a chaotic mix of clowning, silly stories, puppets, nonsense and unpredictable mayhem from one of comedy’s most gloriously silly minds. Kids will love it, adults will laugh just as hard – no family required. If you like your comedy strange, joyful and completely unhinged, this is the show for you. A rare chance to see pure imagination run riot on stage.

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Laughter Yoga For Kids & Parents

Massimo · 12:00 · Laughter Yoga For Kids & Parents €12 Parents / €8 U13s

Join Louise Burchall for Laughter Yoga, a genuinely interactive and contagious group activity which is silly, social, and totally ridiculous. With separate classes for families and adults, this proves that comedy is the best medicine for your mental and physical health. Endorsed by endorphins, everywhere!

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Laughter Yoga with Louise Burchall (Over 16s)

Sunday 25th Oct · Massimo · 13:00 €12 Parents

Join Louise Burchall for Laughter Yoga, a genuinely interactive and contagious group activity which is silly, social, and totally ridiculous. With separate classes for families and adults, this proves that comedy is the best medicine for your mental and physical health. Endorsed by endorphins, everywhere!

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Samhain Community Dance Spectacle: A Thriller in Eyre Square

Eyre Square, October 26th 6:00 PM - Family friendly, Accessible

Presented by the Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy and Galway City Council Night-Time Economy as part of the Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, Home of Halloween Programme

Get ready, Galway. The Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy is taking over Eyre Square once again with a spine-tingling community dance spectacle unlike any other.

This unique Samhain celebration will bring ancient folklore and modern pop culture together through a spectacular reimagining of Michael Jackson's iconic Thriller dance. As the veil between worlds grows thin at this sacred time of year, Galway's residents, community groups, dance schools, families and visitors are invited to step into a space beyond time and become part of a living piece of folklore.

At the heart of the performance is a coven of powerful Celtic women connected to nature, ancestry and the changing seasons. Emerging from the streets as if summoned by the spirit of Samhain itself, they draw audiences into a captivating story where myth and reality intertwine. As the performers move through Eyre Square, spectators will feel as though they are witnessing an ancient ritual unfolding in real time. Eyre Square becomes a stage. The city becomes a meeting place between worlds.

More than just a dance performance, this is a vibrant and inclusive street spectacle designed for everyone to take part. Attendees are encouraged to dress up, embrace the spirit of Samhain, and join the celebration. The Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy has created easy-to-follow instructional videos so participants can learn the choreography in advance, while professional dancers will be on hand on the night to guide everyone through the routine.

Whether you are a seasoned dancer or a first-time mover, you'll be right at home in this unforgettable community celebration of creativity, connection and Celtic tradition.

Learn the dance and be ready to participate:
[Add link here]

Come together this Samhain and help transform Galway's city centre into a thrilling, magical spectacle where folklore comes alive and everyone has a role to play.

The Samhain Community Dance Spectacle, is funded through the Galway City Council Night-Time Economy and Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Programme and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

Samhain Community Dance Spectacle 2026: A Thriller in Eyre Square - YouTube

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FAMILY WORKSHOP: Make a Traditional Jack-o’-Lantern

Tuesday 27th October, 11am to 1pm, Free (but early booking is advised as places are limited) Galway City Museum,

The Halloween custom of carving grotesque faces into hollowed-out turnips and using them as lanterns was once widespread across Ireland and Britain. On Halloween night, these lanterns were set atop walls, fences, or gates, left glowing in graveyards, or hung swinging from trees to startle passers-by after dark. In Ireland, the turnip lantern was known as ‘Jack of the Lantern’ or ‘Jack-o’-Lantern’, and it was closely associated with an old folk tale.

Join Brendan McGowan, Museum Education Officer, as he tells the story of this old Halloween tradition. Afterwards, carve your own traditional turnip lantern with artist and arts educator Vicky Smith. All materials are provided. Suitable for families with children aged 6 to 12

Image: Turnip Lantern. Photo by Brendan McGowan.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460

Samhain spooky stories with Annabel

Galway City Library (ages 5-8) Tuesday 27 October at 3pm

Join us at Galway City Library for some spooky tales of ghosts and fairies, from Ireland's past.

drop-in session, no booking is required

Storyweaving session with Rab Fulton

Galway City Library, Tuesday 27 October at 6:30pm, adults

Do you like spooky stories? Come along to Galway City Library, where you will learn to storyweave - working as part of a larger group to develop and create a scary Samhain story. This workshop is for adults, ages 18+,. It will be facilitated by storyteller, author and lecturer, Rab Fulton.

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Rituals of the Sídhe - Galway Between Worlds

28th & 29th October, 6pm & 8pm each evening, Circle of Life National Organ Donor Commemorative Garden, Salthill. Adult and family friendly, Booking link TBC

Rituals of the Sídhe — Galway Between Worlds is an immersive promenade performance inspired by Samhain, Irish folklore, ancient ritual gatherings, the Atlantic Ocean, and humanity’s enduring relationship with the stars, the land, and one another.

Set within the Circle of Life National Organ Donor Commemorative Garden in Salthill, Galway, the work invites audiences on a journey through a series of interconnected ritual encounters where the boundaries between worlds begin to dissolve.

The audience is guided throughout the experience by Hugh W. Brown performing as Painseo Sweeney, a wandering storyteller, threshold keeper, trickster, ritual guide, and master of ceremonies who leads the gathering through myth, memory, celebration, danger, wonder, and transformation.

Rooted in Hugh W. Brown’s immersive Theatrical Thinking methodology, the project seeks to identify and work with local community and combines theatre, live music, movement, circus, LED manipulation, procession, folklore, choir, drumming, visual spectacle to create a contemporary ritual experience that feels both ancient and immediate.

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FAMILY WORKSHOP: SPOOKY HALLOWEEN in LEGO®

Wednesday 28 October, 11.30am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm, All LEGO® bricks and materials are provided. Admission is FREE, but advance booking is essential, as places are strictly limited. To book, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie

Join brick artist Jessica Farrell for a Halloween-themed LEGO® family workshop at Galway City Museum.
This workshop is specially designed for families with neurodivergent children aged 7 and over. It offers a relaxed, collaborative, and creative learning experience that uses LEGO® bricks to build and create together.
Each family group may include up to four people, with a minimum of one adult and one child. This format supports the workshop’s core aim: to encourage shared creativity, communication, and learning through cooperative play.
To remain mindful of sensory needs, including noise levels, attendance is limited to a maximum of 20 participants (5 tables of 4).
Families will take part in LEGO® building activities that explore Halloween stories and traditions. These guided exercises promote imagination, building skills, and communication, while allowing families to experience the enjoyment and satisfaction of creating together.

Registered and identifiable assistance dogs are welcome.

All LEGO® bricks and materials are provided. Admission is FREE, but advance booking is essential, as places are strictly limited. To book, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie

Suitable for families with children aged 7 to 13 years

Image: Jack-o'-Lantern and the Devil by Jessica Farrell.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532461

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Ability West - At the Threshold: A Samhain Art Exhibition & Sensory Experience

Wednesday 28th and Thursday 29th form 11am to 2pm, Free, Unit 7/8 Tuam Road Centre, Tuam Road, Galway

At the Threshold is a two day Samhain art exhibition and Transitional Samhain Sensory Tunnel taking place at Croílar Adult Day Service on the Tuam Road, Galway, created by adults supported across Ability West.

The project brings together artwork created across Ability West around the shared theme of transitions — reflecting everyday experiences of change, growth, and movement through life. The event combines a public art exhibition at the front of the building with a calm, immersive sensory tunnel inside the service, inspired by Samhain as a moment between light and dark.

By opening their own space as part of Gaillimh Ah Boo!, participants invite the public to engage with disability led creativity in an accessible, welcoming environment. The event is designed to be inclusive for adults, children, older people, and those with sensory sensitivities, placing creativity, culture, and human rights at the centre of Galway’s Samhain celebrations.

WORKSHOP: Spooky Stories & Art

Thursday 29th October, 11am to 1pm, Admission is FREE, but advance booking is essential, as places are strictly limited. To book, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie Suitable for children aged 8 to 12

Halloween was traditionally regarded as the night when the boundaries between this world and the Otherworld grew thin – a night of fairies, ghosts and the dead.

Join storyteller Rab Fulton as he shares a suitably spooky tale. Afterwards, inspired by the story, create your own illustration of a character or scene with artist and art educator Vicky Smith. All materials provided.

Image: Jack-o'-Lantern. Photo by Brendan McGowan.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532462

STORYTELLING: Spooky Samhain Tales

Thursday 29 October, 1.30pm to 2pm & 2.15pm to 2.45pm, Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. Suitable for families

Samhain marked the beginning of winter, when the long, dark evenings by the fireside lent themselves to storytelling. Join storyteller and author Rab Fulton for some spooky tales inspired by this ancient time of year.

Image: Carraroe Hearth. © National Folklore Collection, UCD.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532463

Mask-making workshop for ages 10-14

Galway City Library, Thursday 29 October at 12:00 (midday)

Join us for a Foróige-facilitated workshop at Galway City Library. Let your creative side out and let's see what about Samhain and Halloween inspires you.

To book a ticket individuals should email city@galwaylibrary.ie or call 091-509094 to book a place.

The Dirty Circus Burlesque & Cabaret

Friday 30th October, Pálás Screen 1, 20:00, €25

Step right up to an evening of sultry glamour, daring comedy, and dazzling spectacle. The Dirty Circus fuses vintage burlesque, vaudeville flair, and cutting-edge cabaret into a single irresistible show — a midnight carnival of seductive storytelling, outrageous costumes, and jaw-dropping performances. Expect burlesque, pole, comedy, drag & much more.

Booking coming soon

WORKSHOP: Traditional Halloween Masks

Friday 30 October, 11am to 1pm, Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. Suitable for children aged 8 to 12

Halloween was traditionally regarded as the night when the boundaries between this world and the Otherworld grew thin – a night where fairies, ghosts and the dead roamed about freely. In the past, the fear of encountering an otherworldly being led people, mostly adults, to disguise themselves for protection. These ‘guisers’ darkened their faces with soot or wore homemade masks and costumes, and changed their voices to conceal their true identity.

Join Brendan McGowan, Museum Education Officer, as he explores the Halloween tradition of ‘guising’. Afterwards, create your own traditional Halloween mask form recycled materials with artist and art educator Vicky Smith. All materials are provided, but feel free to bring along your own scraps of fabric or other suitable materials.

Image: A Traditional Mask, 1950s. © National Museum of Ireland.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532464

STORYTELLING: Spooky Samhain Tales

Friday 30 October, 11am to 1pm, 1.30pm to 2pm & 2.15pm to 2.45pm, Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. Suitable for families

Samhain marked the beginning of winter, when the long, dark evenings by the fireside lent themselves to storytelling. Join storyteller and author Rab Fulton for some spooky tales inspired by this ancient time of year.

Image: Carraroe Hearth. © National Folklore Collection, UCD.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532465

Halloween Tour

October 30th 4.30pm, October 31st,3.30pm €45, McCambridges , 38 Shop Street

Step into the shadows of Galway this Halloween as Galway Food Tours invites you on a spine-tingling mystery food trail through the city’s cobbled streets. Follow your guide into hidden corners, haunted histories, and candlelit stops where ghoulishly good bites and devilish drinks await.

From secret tastings in mysterious locations to eerie tales whispered along the way, this after-dark adventure will feed both your appetite and your imagination. Expect tricks, treats, and plenty of surprises as Galway’s food scene takes on a deliciously dark twist for the spookiest season of the year.

The promotion of this event is funded through Blas na Samhna, in collaboration with Gaillimh Ah-Boo and Galway City Council.

Meeting point:

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Mask-making workshop for ages 6+

Galway City Library, Friday 30 October at 3pm

This is an activity for parents & children to do together. Use felt, glue, and pre-cut mask templates to make your own Halloween mask.

To book a ticket individuals should email city@galwaylibrary.ie or call 091-509094 to book a place.

Halloween Silent Disco For Kids

Saturday 31st October, Róisín Dubh, 12pm - 2.30pm, €5 (Adults free)

Get your Halloween costume on early for a family-friendly fancy dress edition of Silent Disco at Róisín Dubh.

Booking coming soon

What We Do In The Shadows - Followed by Q&A with Rhys Darby

Saturday 31st October, Pálás Screen 1, 18:00, €20

Celebrate Halloween with a special film screening of the hit 2014 horror/comedy mockumentary following vampire housemates who struggle to cope with the complexities of modern life, and show a newly turned hipster some of the perks of being undead. With an introduction and post-screening Q&A from Kiwi comedy icon Rhys Darby who plays Anton, the polite and organized leader of a local pack of werewolves. “The best comedy of the year” - The Guardian

Booking coming soon

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TALK & TASTE EVENT: Traditional Halloween Fare

Saturday 31 October, 2pm to 3pm, Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. Suitable for all ages

Traditionally, Halloween was a time of feasting, and the occasion was marked with special foods and treats in honour of the night. Colcannon, boxty, apple cake, blackberry pies, and pudding all formed part of the fare.

Of all the foods traditionally eaten at Halloween, the brack (bairín breac or barmbrack), or fruit loaf, remains perhaps the most familiar. In Halloweens past, it might contain not only a ring, but also a small silver coin, a button, a thimble, a chip of wood and a rag, each one foretelling the finder’s future.

Join culinary historian Anna O'Donnell as she discusses traditional Halloween fare, delves into the customs associated with the brack, and demonstrates how to make one. Afterwards, sample a freshly-made traditional brack.

For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532466

39 Little Wild Harvesters - Forager Margaret Leahy

Little Wild Harvesters: A-Boo-tiful Halloween Woodland Adventure

October 31st, Barna Woods, 10am

As part of Blas na Samhna, in collaboration with Gaillimh Ah-Boo, Fable Tours are holding two Wild Walks in Barna Woods on Saturday 31st October.

Join Margaret for a family-friendly wild food adventure in Barna Woods. Discover the edible treasures of the woodland as the leaves turn, from berries and fruits to nuts, leaves and other seasonal wild foods. Along the way, children and grown-ups will become woodland detectives, learning how to recognise what is around them and discovering some of the traditional stories and folklore associated with Irish trees and plants. Expect a gentle wander, plenty of things to spot and taste, autumn food, stories and a little Halloween magic along the way. A hands-on experience inspired by the changing season and the old Irish festival of Samhain — note we will not be picking mushrooms.

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Wild Harvest – Tales and tastes from the Boo-tiful Autumn Woods

October 31st, 2pm, Barna Woods

As part of Blas na Samhna, in collaboration with Gaillimh Ah-Boo, Fable Tours are holding two Wild Walks in Barna Woods

Autumn leaves are falling as trees and wildlife begin the journey towards winter. Join Margaret, for an atmospheric exploration of Barna Woods. Wander through the woods discovering seasonal fruits, berries, nuts and plants, learning how they have been used in Irish food and rural life. Along the way, Margaret will share stories of the woodland, traditional food knowledge and some of the folklore surrounding Samhain and the turning of the seasons. The experience will include a seasonal tasting inspired by the landscape — a chance to slow down, taste something wild and enjoy the woods at a very special time of year. Note we will not be mushroom foraging

This is not simply a foraging walk. It is a chance to experience the woodland through food, stories, nature and the traditions of an Irish autumn.

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Spirits of Samhain

October 31st, 6pm, Micil Distillery, Oslo Bar.

As part of Blas na Samhna and Gaillimh Aboo, on Saturday October 31st at 6pm step into the shadows of Galway’s past and uncover the Spirits of Samhain at Micil Distillery! An immersive evening of storytelling, folklore, and handcrafted spirits inspired by Ireland’s most ancient festival.

You will be welcomed with specially curated Samhain spirit serve, smokey, spiced and steeped in tradition. We are delighted to welcome the incredible storyteller Rab Fulton who will share tales of old Connemara, illicit distilling, and the role of poitín in Irish seasonal celebrations.

Discover the craft, culture, and the untamed spirit that connects past and present in this unique celebration of harvest and heritage.

Date & Time Saturday October 31st @ 6pm

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Tom Sheridan’s Haunted House Party

October 31st, 9.30pm, Tom Sheridan's pub

The days are slowly getting shorter, and that can only mean one thing… it’s time for Tom Sheridan's annual Haunted House Halloween Party! And with the big day falling on a Saturday, what better excuse do you need to throw a proper bash? You better dress to impress, because they'll be giving away some seriously deadly prizes! Get ready to BOO-gie the night away with live music playing until late. Expect spooky vibes, wicked costumes, deadly prizes, and a night that’s going to be one to dismember… This Halloween, it’s going to be frightfully good!

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Seasonal Flower Arranging Workshop

Saturday 31st October, 2pm-4pm, St. Josephs Community Centre, Shantalla

Come join us for a seasonal flower arranging workshop at St. Joseph's Community Centre, Shantalla. The workshop is open to everyone so please drop in and say hi! Register at the link provided.

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A Gathering of Souls

Streets of Galway, Sunday, 1 November @ 6:00pm - Free, Family Friendly, Accessible

Presented by Galway City Council Night-Time Economy as part of the Gaillimh Ah-Boo!, Home of Halloween Programme. Led by the Mexican Community in Galway.

Long before borders, languages or religions connected our cultures, Ireland and Mexico had each developed profound tradition for honouring those who came before us.

Though separated by thousands of kilometres, Samhain, All Souls' Day and Día de Muertos share a remarkable belief: that there are moments in the year when the connection between the living and those who have passed becomes especially meaningful. These traditions are not centred on fear. They are centred on remembrance.

They remind us that those who came before us continue to shape who we are, and that memory, love and community transcend time.

Rather than presenting one tradition alongside another, A Gathering of Souls creates a respectful cultural conversation between them. Drawing on the rich heritage of both Ireland and Mexico, the event brings together music, symbolism, storytelling, Mexican colour and tradition, and collective remembrance in a public experience.

For one evening, the streets of Galway become a place where two ancient traditions walk side by side from Ireland's ancient Samhain heritage to Mexico's vibrant Día de Muertos celebrating memory, community and our enduring connection to those who came before us.

A Gathering of Souls, is funded through the Galway City Council Night-Time Economy and Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Programme and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport

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37-The-Galway-Concert-Band-and-The-Galway-Musical-Society-Halloween-Spooktacular

The Galway Concert Band & The Galway Musical Society
Halloween Spooktacular

Black Box Theatre, 1st November, Adults €20 / €15 / Family (2 adults, up to 3 children €50)

Something spooky this way comes!

Galway Concert Band and Galway Musical Society invite you to a Halloween Spooktackular at the Black Box this November 1st.

Dancers, singers, and actors from Galway Musical Society will bring to life music from The Addams Family and The Nightmare Before Christmas, and you'll tap your toes to floor-fillers Ghostbusters and Thriller while musicians from Galway's premier concert band will leave you spellbound with the music from Harry Potter and spooky classics to send shivers down your spine. Expect spooky tales, captivating choreography and Halloween tunes you know and love.

Choreography from Declan J Gardiner and musical direction from Bertrand Huveé

With a matinee and evening performance, these shows promise all treats and no tricks for audiences of all ages

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43-Between-Two-Worlds-A-Samhain-Wine-Tasting-and-Storytelling-at-Darg

Between Two Worlds: A Samhain Wine Tasting & Storytelling at Daróg

November 2nd, 7pm - 9pm

As the harvest comes to an end and winter begins, Samhain marks a time of transition, a threshold between seasons and, traditionally, between this world and the Otherworld.

Join us at Daróg for an evening of wine, cheese and Celtic storytelling. Sommelier Zsolt Lukács will lead a tasting of five wines chosen for the evening, accompanied by a cheese board, while master storyteller Rab Fulton, from ‘Celtic Tales’, shares tales rooted in folklore and the traditions of Samhain.

The Irish name for the event, Idir an Dá Shaol, means “Between Two Worlds”, reflecting the traditional idea of Samhain as a time when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld was at its thinnest.

Through wine, storytelling and the traditions of the harvest, the evening will explore this time of seasonal change and the stories that have surrounded it for generations.

Rab Fulton, is a celebrated storyteller based in Galway City. Rab specialised in telling stories from Irish and Scottish myth and folklore, as well as tales from his family. His published work includes Galway Bay Folk Tales and West of Ireland Folk Tales for Children. His most recent book is The Wicked Woman, a ghost story based on Irish folklore, which he wrote as Letham R. McPaike. Rab also teaches the craft of storytelling in the School of Education in University of Galway.

Price: €65 per person (includes a wine flight of 5 wines and cheese board)

Booking essential: https://www.darogwinebar.com/wine-events

Five wines. Samhain storytelling. An evening between worlds.
Event in conjunction with Blas na Gaillimhe & Gaillimh Ah-Boo.
Please note this event is suitable for adults only.

Located in Galway’s vibrant Westend, Daróg Wine Bar (Irish: small oak tree) offers a unique wine and dining experience that highlights organic and biodynamic wines, thoughtfully paired with seasonal dishes. Opened in July 2023 by husband-and-wife team Zsolt and Edel Lukács, Daróg has quickly become known for its commitment to sustainability, quality, and community.

Daróg Wine Bar was awarded a Bib Gourmand by the MICHELIN Guide (2025, 2026), recognising its exceptional food at great value. Zsolt, a sommelier with twelve years of experience at the MICHELIN-starred Aniar Restaurant, was also named ‘The Best Sommelier in Great Britain & Ireland 2025’ by the MICHELIN Guide for his outstanding work at Daróg, further cementing its reputation for excellence in wine curation. His meticulously crafted wine list showcases unique selections from small, off-the-beaten-path producers. This dedication has earned Daróg several other prestigious accolades, including the RAI Awards for Best Wine Experience in Connaught and All Ireland (2024) and the Food & Wine Awards for Best Wine Experience in Ireland (2024, 2025) & Connaught (2024, 2025), Georgina Campbell ‘ Wine Experience of the Year’ (2025).

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Dark History Tour of Galway City

Daily (Mon- Sun) @ 6:30pm every evening, starting from the Explore Galway Office, 9 Eyre Square. Tickets for the tour can also be purchased directly from the office between the hours of 9am-6pm.
Ticket Sales & Check-in Point: Explore Galway Office - Tours, Tickets and Luggage Storage

The tour is stricly 16+, we take a humourous approach to many aspects of the tour but the content is for a mature audience and the stories are not suitable for children under 16

Discover the hidden side of Galway City with our Dark History Tour.

Led by knowledgeable local guides, this evening excursion provides insight into Galway's intriguing past, focusing on its darker aspects. Uncover stories of crime, punishment, and folklore as we navigate the city's streets, shedding light on its shadowy secrets. Delve into Irish culture, history, and traditions while exploring historical sites and hearing captivating tales.

With a blend of historical facts and engaging storytelling, our tour offers a unique perspective on Galway's rich heritage. Perfect for dark history enthusiasts and those seeking an immersive cultural experience, this promises an informative and memorable journey through Galway's intriguing past.

Join us as we peel back the layers of history and reveal the lesser-known side of this vibrant city.

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CREATURES OF SAMHAIN - Terrors of the Irish Underworld

DeBurgos Galway City, ADMISSION: Timed Entry, Very Limited Tickets, Strictly Limited Numbers Per Time Slot. DURATION: 30 minutes

Descend into a darkly atmospheric immersive exhibition and explore the nightmarish creatures, legends and ancient terrors of Irish Samhain mythology and folklore. The experience includes atmospheric darkness, immersive audio, theatrical and strobe lighting, special effects, frightening characters, sudden sounds and interactive moments.

This is an immersive and atmospheric horror exhibition experience. The emphasis is on atmosphere, storytelling, Irish mythology and bringing the ancient legends of Samhain to life - although you may encounter a few beings along the way that are considerably less interested in telling you a tale.

This Samhain, The Haunted Manor invites you to descend beneath Galway and step through the portal into the darker realms of Irish folklore, myth and legend.

Creatures of Samhain is a 30-minute immersive multimedia exhibition experience that brings some of Ireland's most ancient and unsettling supernatural figures out of the old stories — and into the darkness around you.

Journey through a series of atmospheric scenes combining theatrical sets, immersive atmosphere, audio storytelling, lighting, sound, and special effects and explore the legends of Ireland's darker supernatural past.

Set within the atmospheric underground surroundings of DeBurgos, in the heart of Galway City, Creatures of Samhain blends Irish folklore with modern immersive entertainment to create something dark, theatrical, unsettling, occasionally terrifying - and distinctly Irish.

Explore the Underworld - Hear their tales - But keep watching the darkness around you... as not everything beyond the portal is dormant.

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Countdown to Oíche Shamnha

Full 2026 Programme

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Comhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe | Galway City Council

events@galwaycity.ie

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All Events

Countdown to Oíche Shamnha

Full 2026 Programme

Halloween at Hole in the Wall

Shapeshifters exhibition by Shona Shirley McDonald

Moving Words by Selma Daniels

"The Nightmare Club: Spooky Storycraft"

Moth and Butterfly - Riddle me a story

"Illustrating a Character" Shona Shirley McDonald workshops

"Play & Create" Art Room 109 workshops

Deirdre Sullivan literature events "Writing for Samhain"

"Finding Your Voice"

Make a Samhain Wreath workshop

Spooky Disco

Café Lates: Held by the Dark - A Samhain Yin Yoga & Cacao Gathering

Weird Ireland Live with Brinsley McNamara

Time by Luxmuralis

Tromluí ag an Sceach Gheal/Nightmare at the Hawthorn

Macnas Parade

Spencer Jones: The Experimental Kids Show

Laughter Yoga For Kids & Parents

Laughter Yoga with Louise Birchill (Over 16s)

Samhain Community Dance Spectacle: A Thriller in Eyre Square

FAMILY WORKSHOP: Make a Traditional Jack-o’-Lantern

Samhain spooky stories with Annabel

Storyweaving session with Rab Fulton

Rituals of the Sídhe - Galway Between Worlds

FAMILY WORKSHOP: SPOOKY HALLOWEEN in LEGO®

Ability West - At the Threshold: A Samhain Art Exhibition & Sensory Experience

WORKSHOP: Spooky Stories & Art

STORYTELLING: Spooky Samhain Tales

Mask-making workshop for ages 10-14

The Dirty Circus Burlesque & Cabaret

WORKSHOP: Traditional Halloween Masks

STORYTELLING: Spooky Samhain Tales

Halloween Tour

Mask-making workshop for ages 6+

Halloween Silent Disco For Kids

What We Do In The Shadows - Followed by Q&A with Rhys Darby

TALK & TASTE EVENT: Traditional Halloween Fare

Little Wild Harvesters: A-Boo-tiful Halloween Woodland Adventure

Wild Harvest – Tales and tastes from the Boo-tiful Autumn Woods

Spirits of Samhain

Tom Sheridan’s Haunted House Party

Seasonal Flower Arranging Workshop

A Gathering of Souls

The Galway Concert Band & The Galway Musical Society Halloween Spooktacular

Between Two Worlds: A Samhain Wine Tasting & Storytelling at Daróg

Dark History Tour of Galway City

CREATURES OF SAMHAIN - Terrors of the Irish Underworld

Halloween at Hole in the Wall

Shapeshifters exhibition by Shona Shirley McDonald

In partnership and supported by

Moving Words by Selma Daniels

In partnership and supported by

"The Nightmare Club: Spooky Storycraft"

In partnership and supported by

Moth and Butterfly - Riddle me a story

"Illustrating a Character" Shona Shirley McDonald workshops

In partnership and supported by

"Play & Create" Art Room 109 workshops

In partnership and supported by

Deirdre Sullivan literature events "Writing for Samhain"

In partnership and supported by

"Finding Your Voice"

In partnership and supported by

Make a Samhain Wreath workshop

In partnership and supported by

Spooky Disco

In partnership and supported by

Café Lates: Held by the Dark - A Samhain Yin Yoga & Cacao Gathering

Weird Ireland Live with Brinsley McNamara

Time by Luxmuralis

Tromluí ag an Sceach Gheal/Nightmare at the Hawthorn

Macnas Parade

Spencer Jones: The Experimental Kids Show

Laughter Yoga For Kids & Parents

Laughter Yoga with Louise Burchall (Over 16s)

Samhain Community Dance Spectacle: A Thriller in Eyre Square

FAMILY WORKSHOP: Make a Traditional Jack-o’-Lantern

The Galway Concert Band & The Galway Musical Society
Halloween Spooktacular