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Mid-term break has arrived and households across Ireland are already filling with costumes, sweets and spooky decorations. If you’re planning activities for children or a short family getaway, these Halloween options around the country offer everything from gentle family fun to dramatic night-time spectacles.
Samhain in the Heartlands — Bloomfield House Hotel, Westmeath
Running until 8 November 2026, Samhain in the Heartlands revisits the Celtic roots of Halloween across sites and communities in Westmeath. The programme invites visitors to trace more than 5,000 years of local tradition through storytelling, music, parades, fire ceremonies and family-focused performances.
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The festival emphasises landscape and myth, with immersive shows and activities at ancient locations designed to introduce children and adults to Samhain’s folklore. For those travelling to the area, Bloomfield House Hotel offers a convenient base with a spa, leisure facilities and family-friendly “Den” rooms close to many events.
Mega Monster Halloween — Emerald Park
Emerald Park’s family-oriented Halloween festival is aimed at younger children while still offering thrills for older visitors. For kids aged roughly 3–12 there’s a pumpkin trail, character meet-and-greets and a new live pantomime, Goldilocks and the Three Scares.
After dark the park keeps the energy high. The evening programme brings back the park’s darker rides and themed attractions — including the Cú Chulainn Coaster and a selection of family favourites — plus a new addition for 2026 called Swingosaurus. The event blends gentle daytime fun with more adventurous night-time experiences for teens and adults.
Halloween at W5 — Belfast
From 17 October to 1 November, W5 stages a seasonal programme that turns its science and discovery spaces into a family-friendly haunted landscape. Visitors move through a themed Halloween House, search for clues around a ghostly town and take part in puzzles and activities aimed at younger children.
The event includes face painting, games and hands-on sessions such as potion-making. W5 is also hosting an adults-only evening on Friday 30 October, from 7pm to 11pm, with a separate, more mature experience after dark.
Bram Stoker-themed break — The Chancery Hotel, Dublin
Coinciding with Dublin’s Bram Stoker festival from 23–26 October, The Chancery Hotel is offering a themed city-centre stay. Guests receive a Dracula-inspired cocktail and a complimentary copy of Bram Stoker’s novel, along with a walking guide to the author’s Dublin connections.
The hotel’s central location makes it a handy base for festival events across the city — from theatrical presentations at Smock Alley Theatre to screenings and special projects at venues such as Light House Cinema and the Project Arts Centre. Family-friendly attractions connected to the festival, like Stokerland, provide rides and games for children.
Macnas Halloween Parade — Galway
On 25 October the Macnas parade returns to Galway during the Halloween bank holiday weekend. The well-known spectacle theatre company marks its 40th anniversary with a new street piece titled Fiáin, a celebration of wild elements inspired by the west of Ireland.
Macnas performances traditionally transform public spaces into large-scale pageantry, combining puppetry, music and processional theatre. The parade remains one of the country’s most visually striking ways to mark Halloween for families and adult audiences alike.
