As the leaves turn orange and the air holds a chill, it can only mean one thing: Autumn is upon us and although the days are getting shorter, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t any fun things to do.
Although we love a cosy night in, who can say no to a spooky evening of fun, or maybe taking a wander down a taste trail to explore some new funky flavours?
Here is a list of the things going on in Ireland during October for you to enjoy…
The Nightmare Realm
If you’re looking for a scare fest, look no further than the Nightmare Realm. At a new location in Inchicore, the popular scare fest runs until November 2.
With a new production and over 150 live performers, the Nightmare Realm is one for the teenager in your family.
As well as experiencing the fright of your life, visitors can also enjoy devilishly good treats, spooky shops, and live performances from dancers and aerialists. It opens on October 4th.
Pumpkin Patches
The ultimate fun day out that is the epitome of Autumn is a day out at a pumpkin patch. Grab yourself a cosy hot drink, and set out to pick the best pumpkin of the patch to carve your spookiest creation into.
With some fabulous patches like Papa’s Pumpkin Patch and Luggswoods in Dublin, there are a multitude of places to go for a fun day out in Ireland.
Bram Stoker Festival
Wanting to delve into some fang-tastic events during the week of Halloween? Well, look no further than the Bram Stoker Festival in Dublin.
The four-day event is jam-packed with activities for all ages, including a free Victorian-themed pop-up park in St. Patrick’s Park. Running from Friday 31 October to Monday 3 November, the festival celebrates the legacy of Irish writer Bram Stoker and his classic novel, Dracula.
With the full lineup of the festival yet to be announced, Dublin City Council has taken over different parts of the cities for the weekend to fully embrace the legendary writer and the gothic era. Tickets are available here.
Red Line Book Festival
Love a good read? Then you won’t want to miss the Red Line Book Festival, which runs from October 13 to 19 with over 40 literary events and workshops in venues across South County Dublin.
The festival has a thrilling crime strand and peeks at the paranormal with events including Chasing the Dark: Encounters with the Supernatural with author Ben Machell in conversation with author Sophie White, and an evening with Gill Perdue, author of ‘The Night I Killed Him. Gill will chat with author Amanda Cassidy about her career, writing crime fiction, and her latest novel.
Find out more and see the full line-up online.
Púca Festival
Halloween, or Samhain, is one of the oldest Celtic traditions that we still celebrate. According to the legends, the night of Samhain is when the veil between the worlds of the living and the dead thins, and when creatures come to life.
The Púca Festival celebrates the legendary shape-shifting spirit in the form of a four-day event with a plethora of activities. Based across the towns of Trim and Athboy in County Meath, the festival has a spectacular lineup including the 2 Johnnies, Blindboy, Emma Doran, and Mark McCabe.
As well as unreal music and comedic acts, the festival also holds meditation sessions, circus workshops and heritage tours. Make the most out of the Halloween weekend and celebrate our Irish heritage here.
Guinness Cork Jazz Music Festival
Sink your teeth into some of the best jazz music around at the Guinness Cork Jazz Music Festival this October. Over the bank holiday weekend, listen and experience some of the best creatives in the business, including Lee Fields & The Expressions, Khakikid, Le Boom and Summer Pearl.
With over 100,000 annual visitors attending the Rebel city for the event, the music festival is one not to miss if you are a fan of jazz or just want to try out a new genre of music. You won’t be disappointed!
Ireland Fashion Week
Experience Dublin and Ireland’s immersive world of fashion as the Emerald Isle takes on its first-ever fashion week from 6-10 October. Live out your Carrie Bradshaw dreams and delve into a world of creativity like you’ve never seen, and head down to support some of Ireland’s budding new designers.
Across the country, watch some of Ireland’s biggest designers like Paul Costello and Rashiid, as well as some star studded banquets and events throughout the week.
The show, founded by Ashley McDonnell, is the first of its kind and is something you won’t want to miss.
Dingle Food Festival
View this post on Instagram
Set along the coast of the Wild Atlantic Way, the Dingle Food Festival is a perfect event for all foodie lovers out there. From Friday 3 to Sunday 5 October, the festival aims to celebrate flavour and sustainability with many different activities.
The taste trail allows you to follow along on a culinary adventure, heading through the town of Dingle and experiencing the different tastes and flavours in over 6o different local businesses.
With masterclasses being held from by renowned chefs like Patricia Rogers and Asia Mahealani McDonagh, the festival holds something for everyone.
View this post on Instagram
Fancy being fit this October? TRYKA is Ireland’s first homegrown hybrid fitness race league and is being held at the RDS Simmonscourt, Dublin, on 11–12 October.
Hybrid fitness racing has exploded globally in recent years, but TRYKA is designed to be more inclusive, more accessible, and proudly Irish.
The format combines running with functional fitness movements, with two options. There is the TRYKA Race, 8 x 800m runs with functional challenges, and TRYKA 500, a shorter, beginner-friendly version designed to be less daunting and open to all levels. Look online for more details.
Ireland Music Week
Explore Ireland’s music scene like you’ve never heard before at Ireland’s music week this year, running from 1-4 October.
Across different iconic locations in Dublin, an array of musicians from all different genres will perform, including acts like Martina and the Moons Blánid and Circa.
Set up to highlight the emerging talent that comes from Ireland, the music week explores and prides itself in focusing on independent artsits, and has been doing so for 23 years.
Dublin Theatre Festival
View this post on Instagram
Fancy wanting to see more than just the sights in Dublin? The Dublin Theatre Festival is back to explore and showcase some of the best emerging talent the capital has to offer.
Rioja Wine Festival
Indulge in your sommelier fantasies and head down to the Rioja Wine Festival on October 18, in the Alex Hotel in Merrion Hotel.
Its no secret that Ireland has a taste for the grape variety that is Rioja, and the Wine Festival is the perfect place to understand and find out more about the process of wine making, all while getting to sip awa at a glass or two. What’s not to love!
With the masterclass host set to be announced soon, we’re sure this boozy festival will be one you won’t want to miss. Tickets are priced at €40 per person, giving you access to try over 150 wines as well as access to the masterclass.
Boo At The Zoo
Need something to entertain the little ones? From October 25 to November 1, Dublin Zoo will transform into a world of spooky surprises and eerie adventures, including a Spooktacular Scavenger Hunt with annual passes to be won.
That’s not all, if your little one is dressed up for Halloween on Friday, 31 October, they’ll go free so long as they are with a full-paying adult.
Scares in the Sky: Tales from the Pale at GAA Museum
This October, Dublin’s skyline comes alive in a more mystical way with Scares in the Sky: Tales from the Pale at Croke Park’s GAA Museum.
The panoramic city views of the capital meet the city’s darker folklore in this Samhain-tailored rooftop storytelling experience on the Kellogg’s Skyline Tour.
From the Hellfire Club to grave robbers and Dracula author Bram Stoker, visitors can discover Dublin’s gothic and sometimes spine-tingling past.
Tours run on the following dates: Saturday, October 25, Sunday, October 26, Friday, October 31, Saturday, November 1, and Sunday, November 2. You can book the experience here.
Samhain Festival
At Waterford City’s Samhain Festival, which runs from October 25 until October 27, the Samhain Fire & Shadows procession will boast torchlight, puppetry, and attendees will get the chance to hear the haunting tale of An Dearg Dua, the county’s infamous female vampire.
The parade commences at the Irish Wake Museum and moves through Cathedral Square. Alongside the parade, citizens can get tarot readings, hear ghostly storytelling, and experience candlelit concerts.
For three days, the Samhain Festival will take over Waterford’s historic streets, squares, and quays
