Dublin is the place to be this Halloween with tons of spootakular events taking place all over the city. With ancient Samhain traditions in our roots and our Events Calendar is full of family friendly events, there’s something for everyone. From toddlers to teens, pumpkin lovers to ghost hunters. Whether you’re staying in the city and what to have some spooky fun, planning a day out, or need a Halloween camp for the kids, here’s your ultimate Halloween 2025 guide. Pumpkins, face paint and bin liner costumes at the ready, here’s a peek at what’s on.
Family-Friendly Halloween Events in Dublin
Bram Stoker Festival
This city-wide celebration of Dublin’s most famous Gothic author is a highlight of October. Expect everything from family-friendly parades and outdoor spectacles to spooky story sessions and creative workshops. Many of the daytime events are perfect for younger kids, while older children will enjoy the more theatrical evening performances.
Best for: All ages, with specific events for different groups.
Location: Multiple venues across Dublin City
Tips: Check the programme for specific times and ticketed events, as the line-up varies across the city.
Booking + Info
Luggwoods Fall Festival
Halloween meets enchanted forest wanderings at Luggwoods. Families venture along a spooky-but-charming Enchanted Forest Trail, guided by magical characters on a quest to make a witch’s potion. Then hop aboard the Spookwood Express winding through misty woodlands to the Witch’s Cabin. A highlight? The pumpkin patch, where you can pick your own to take home!
Best for: Ages 3–10 (though adults love it too)
Location: The Lugg, Saggart, Co. Dublin
Tips: Runs October 19–31. Book early (it sells fast), wear sturdy shoes, and bring your camera — the forest lighting is gorgeous after dusk.
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The Haunted Trail at Malahide Castle & Gardens!
Halloween meets enchanting castle walk: families traverse a 1 km outdoor trail through magical, spooky-but-gentle scenes. Expect spider webs in the trees, the Witches’ Kitchen stirring its cauldron, a mist-shrouded graveyard, Ghost Alley (with Puck, the resident ghost), a bat-filled Vampire’s Lair, a quirky Mad Hatter’s Tea Party—and a pumpkin patch where scarecrows might just come alive.
Designed with younger children in mind yet enjoyable by all ages and abilities, the path is fully accessible and set in the atmospheric grounds around Malahide Castle.
Best for: Ages 3–10 (but grownups love it too!)
Location: Malahide Castle & Gardens, Co. Dublin
Tips: Book ahead (spaces fill), arrive in costume, wear comfy shoes, and bring your camera (this place loves dramatic lighting). Families are encouraged to come in costume, there are plenty of photo moments, and the whole thing leans more on “magical adventure” than full-on fright.
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Scarecrows at the Model Railway Museum
Come stroll through miniature worlds with a Halloween twist — the Model Railway Museum dresses up its layouts with scarecrow figures, spooky accessories, and fall vibes. It’s charming, imaginative, and perfect for little explorers with big imaginations.
Best for: All ages (especially 3–10 yrs).
Location: Model Railway Museum, The Casino, Malahide, Dublin.
Tips: Look out for hidden “scarecrow surprises” in the layouts. Bring small ones who love trains. Photos encouraged. Dress in layers — the museum can get cool inside.
Book + Info
Pumpkins After Dark – Newbridge House & Farm
Step into a glowing Halloween wonderland! Pumpkins After Dark lights up the night with over 10,000 hand-carved pumpkins, immersive light and sound effects, live carving demos, treats & photo moments around every turn.
Best for: All ages (especially families with younger kids who love magic, not scares)
Location: Newbridge House & Farm, Donabate, Co. Dublin.
Tips: Book your time slot in advance. Wear comfy shoes as the paths are paved but include gravel, grass, and some slopes around Newbridge House & Farm. For the best experience, arrive close to opening time for quieter walks and better photos. Costumes are welcome — just be sure to layer up for warmth!
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Dracula’s Disco – The Ark
Get your little monsters moving! Dracula’s Disco brings a family-friendly Halloween dance party to The Round Room at The Mansion House, with DJ Donal Dineen spinning spooky beats and party hits. Expect flashing lights, haze, and plenty of costume fun.
Best for: Ages 5+ (kids must be accompanied by an adult).
Location: The Round Room at The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin.
Tips: Tickets are free but must be booked — released on Wed 1 Oct at 10am via The Ark. Two showtimes: 10:30am & 12:30pm (approx. 45 minutes each). Costumes encouraged for maximum monster vibes!
Book + Info
Beware of Dracula! Halloween Family Tour at EPIC
Step into a gothic adventure at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum. Join this interactive family tour to help defeat Dracula before he rises again! Solve puzzles, cast spells, and uncover eerie Irish tales as you explore the museum’s vaults. It’s theatrical, funny, and perfectly spooky for curious kids.
Best for: Ages 6–12
Location: EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum, CHQ Building, Dublin 1
Tips: Runs Oct 27 – Nov 1 with multiple daily slots. Costumes encouraged. Tickets include museum entry — make a half-day of it.
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Ghostbus Kids Tour
Climb aboard Dublin’s spookiest children’s attraction! The Ghostbus Kids Tour takes families on a theatrical ride through Dublin’s darker legends — with interactive storytelling, quizzes, and spooky fun at every turn. It mixes history, myth, and mild chills (but not too intense) for a memorable family evening.
Best for: Ages 7–14 (though adventurous younger kids may enjoy it too)
Location: Departs from Bus Stop 271, O’Connell Street / Abbey Street junction, Dublin
Tips: Book early (especially for Halloween period). Dress warmly, as the bus makes some outdoor stops. Costumes welcome.
Book + Info
Dublin Zoo – Boo at the Zoo
Bring the Halloween magic to the animal kingdom. Boo at the Zoo features themed trails, decorated enclosures, pumpkin displays, spooky keeper talks, and photo ops throughout the zoo. It’s playful, educational, and creature-friendly — a perfect mix of nature and novelty.
Best for: All ages (perfect for under-10s).
Location: Dublin Zoo, Phoenix Park, Dublin.
Tips: Arrive early to explore at your own pace. Bring a camera for the pumpkin displays. Costumes encouraged (just keep them comfy for walking).
Book + Info
Samhain – Annual Halloween Walk at Marlay Park
Prepare for a spooktacular stroll! Samhain 2025 transforms Marlay Park into a haunted wonderland over two evenings, featuring witches, banshees, eerie lights, and mythical creatures around every turn. The 1.7 km route is family-friendly and fully accessible for buggies and wheelchairs — spooky, not scary. There’s even a soft session for children and adults with sensory needs, featuring reduced lighting and sound.
Best for: Ages 5+ (younger ones welcome with adults)
Location: Marlay Park, Rathfarnham, Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown
Tips: Tickets go on sale October 4 (€5 admits 2 people). Choose early or sensory slots for a calmer walk. Wrap up warm and wear comfy shoes for outdoor paths.
Book + Info
Dracula’s Disco
Let your little monsters boogie with the Count himself! Dracula’s Disco is a high-energy family dance party, spinning spooky tunes, Halloween hits, and kid-friendly bangers under flashing lights. Expect fun games, haze effects, and a costume-filled dance floor in one of Dublin’s grandest halls.
Best for: All ages
Location: The Round Room, The Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin 2
Tips: Free but ticketed — book early via the Bram Stoker Festival website. Doors open 20 minutes before; costumes highly encouraged!
Book + Info
Stokerland 2025
Roll up, roll up! Stokerland returns to St. Patrick’s Park with a gothic-twist family festival full of street theatre, interactive shows, Victorian carousel rides (now free), food stalls, face painting, and spooky surprises galore. Set within the ever-magical Bram Stoker Festival weekend, it’s a carnival of weird and wonderful delight. Expect performances like The Great Innuendo, Madame Kakapo & Son, Scissors & Comb, and Spooky Penguin TV Doodle. A relaxed session is also offered for neurodiverse visitors—with softer lights and sounds.
Best for: Families, especially kids under 12 (under-18s must be accompanied)
Location: St. Patrick’s Park, Bull Alley Street, Dublin 8
Tips: It’s free and unticketed — arrive early for the relaxed session (Sunday 9:30 am–12 pm). Dress for outdoors and bring snacks or a picnic blanket.
Book + Info
Fingal Festival of Fire
Light up Halloween night at the Fingal Festival of Fire — a free, family-friendly celebration full of sparkle and community spirit. Enjoy kids’ discos, spooky tunes, live entertainment, and spectacular fireworks at multiple Fingal locations. It’s bright, joyful, and perfect for families who prefer sparkle over scare.
Best for: All ages
Location: Multiple Fingal venues including Swords, Malahide, and Blanchardstown
Tips: Bring warm clothes, ear defenders for little ones, and arrive early — it’s always popular! Fireworks usually around 7:30 PM.
Book + Info
Samhain in South Dublin: SpookDalkin
Join South Dublin’s spooky celebration! SpookDalkin is part ghost walk, part storytelling adventure — guiding families through tales of spirits, myths, and mysteries from Ireland’s past. Expect costumed performers, glowing lanterns, and atmospheric lighting along the way.
Best for: Ages 6+ with adult supervision
Location: South Dublin / Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown (meeting point provided after booking)
Tips: Book tickets in advance (limited slots). Bring layers and a torch, and wear comfortable shoes for walking.
Book + Info
Ghosts of the Revolution: Hallowe’en at the GPO Museum
Explore Dublin’s revolutionary history with a supernatural twist. Ghosts of the Revolution blends real history and eerie tales in the iconic GPO, with live harp music and ghost stories inspired by Irish folklore and the nation’s past. Perfect for curious kids who love stories and a touch of mystery.
Best for: Ages 7+
Location: GPO Museum, O’Connell Street, Dublin 1
Tips: Free but ticketed. Reserve early and arrive 10 minutes before your slot. Some dim lighting and themes of death — best for older or curious children.
Book + Info
Pooka Spooka at Causey Farm
Dress up and dive into a farm-yard fright for little ones! At Causey Farm, Co. Meath, Pooka Spooka invites families along for playful, spooky fun: corn mazes, mirror mazes, fortune telling, i-spy train rides, “limb throwing,” a harvest hall, mingling with farm animals, and more.
Best for: Ages 2–12 (little ghosts and goblins welcome — under 2 goes free).
Location: Causey Farm, Co. Meath
Tips: Book early (it’s popular!) For older children (9+) check out their Ghosts of the Manor experience at Rockfield House — a spookier, more atmospheric treat!
Book + Info
Tricky Trail at Emerald Park
Follow a mysterious woodland path at Tricky Trail, where families solve clues, meet costumed characters, and enjoy interactive surprises among the trees. Add in rides, playgrounds, and pumpkin zones for a full day of autumnal adventure.
Best for: Ages 3–12
Location: Emerald Park, Kilbrew, Co. Meath (just outside Dublin)
Tips: Tickets often include rides — check before booking. Wear weatherproof layers and bring snacks for little explorers.
Book + Info
Pumpkin Picking & Autumn Adventures
A mix of countryside charm and pumpkin magic! Families can wander through the patch to pick their perfect pumpkin before heading off to meet the stars of the show, the alpacas. Tractor rides add to the fun, and there are plenty of games, treats, and photo-friendly autumn backdrops.
Best for: Ages 3+, especially animal-loving kids.
Location: Callowhill, Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow, A63 DX08
Clissmann Horse Caravans Pumpkin Patch
This patch is set on a family-run farm with donkeys, Shetland ponies, and horse-drawn caravans that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. Kids can pick pumpkins, meet the animals, and enjoy a rustic, relaxed countryside day out. Think wholesome, cosy autumn vibes.
Best for: Families with younger kids who enjoy animals and open space.
Location: Cronybyrne, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow, A67 X039
Secret Valley Wildlife Park Pumpkin Festival
A proper day trip adventure! Alongside pumpkin picking, children can see exotic animals like lemurs, raccoons, meerkats, and reptiles. The festival also includes fun seasonal activities like treasure hunts, face painting, and outdoor play areas.
Best for: All ages, but especially great for curious animal lovers.
Location: Coolnacon, Clonroche, Co. Wexford, Y21 DF85
A magical pumpkin patch set in the Dublin Mountains. Families board tractor-drawn carriages that bring them up into the forest, where woodland trails are decorated with pumpkins, fairy lights, and seasonal displays. Kids can pick a pumpkin and enjoy storytelling, music, and games.
Best for: Ages 2–10, and anyone who loves a fairytale setting.
Location: Crooksling, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 RH59
Clonfert Pet Farm Pumpkin Patch
This one’s a pumpkin patch and mini theme park rolled into one. Alongside pumpkin picking, children can meet farm animals, ride on funfair attractions, and enjoy the indoor and outdoor play areas. There’s also a café on site for a hot chocolate or lunch break.
Best for: Families with toddlers through to tweens who want lots of variety.
Location: Clonfert, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, W23 PY05
A cosy, rustic patch on a working farm, with a strong “real autumn on the farm” feel. Kids can pick pumpkins straight from the field and warm up afterwards with hot chocolate, coffee, and seasonal bakes from the farm shop. Simple and authentic.
Best for: Families looking for a low-key, traditional pumpkin patch.
Location: Fordstown, Navan, Co. Meath, C15 XY1X
For Teens & Brave Souls (Not for the Faint-Hearted!)
This award-winning scare attraction is often called one of Europe’s best — and for good reason. Walkthrough haunted mazes, terrifying live actors, and heart-pounding special effects make it an adrenaline-fuelled experience. Strictly not for kids — recommended 13+.
Best for: Teens (13+) and horror-loving parents.
Location: City Market, Mary’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 Y6Y0
Climb aboard The Gravedigger Ghost Bus Tour for a spine-tingling ride through 600 years of Dublin’s dark past. With live actors, eerie tales, and a few laughs along the way, you’ll explore haunted sites like Kilmainham Gaol, Bully’s Acre, and Glasnevin Cemetery before finishing with a stop at the famous Gravediggers Pub. A perfect mix of history, humour, and scares.
Best for: Best suited for teens (14+) and adults who enjoy a fright with their fun.
Location: Departure from Bus Stop College Green
Halloween Camps for Kids
For kids who’d rather brew potions than carve pumpkins, these Halloween-themed science camps are a huge hit. Activities include slime-making, dry ice experiments, and creepy chemistry — all safe, hands-on, and designed to inspire curiosity.
Best for: Ages 6–12.
Location: Various Dublin venues – check website for details
For creative kids, these themed art camps focus on spooky crafts, painting, mask-making, and pumpkin-inspired designs. A great way to balance screen-free fun with a creative outlet, and parents get to keep the spooky masterpieces.
Best for: Ages 5–12
Location: Rathfarnham, Malahide, Dundrum & other Dublin locations
A mix of singing, dancing, drama, and Halloween fun rolled into one camp. Children dress up, put on mini performances, and enjoy themed games in a non-competitive, confidence-boosting environment.
Best for: Ages 4–12
Location: Multiple Dublin venues including Clontarf, Stillorgan & Tallaght
Anyone4Science – Creepy Chemistry Workshops
For kids who love STEM, these workshops introduce fun chemistry experiments with a spooky twist. From glowing liquids to edible Halloween science, it’s part play, part learning.
Best for: Ages 7–13
Location: Dublin City Centre & South Dublin venues
