Top Things To Do in Dublin At Halloween 2026
Looking for things to do in Dublin at Halloween? From an evening aboard the original Ghostbus Tour to pumpkin trails, Gothic festivals and family adventures, discover our pick of Halloween events and atmospheric attractions across Dublin city and county for 2026.
Event details checked on 7 September 2026. Some Halloween programmes are still being announced, so check the linked event pages for the latest dates, tickets and age guidance.
Halloween falls on Saturday 31 October 2026, but Dublin's spooky season starts earlier. Whether you are visiting for the October bank holiday, planning a mid-term day out or organising a Halloween night with friends, these experiences offer plenty of ways to join in.
1. Ride Dublin's original Ghostbus Tour
Make the original Ghostbus Tour the centrepiece of your Halloween plans. Professional actors turn Dublin's sinister stories into an evening of live performance, dark comedy and audience interaction, with surprises waiting along the way.
The bus itself sets the scene, with eerie interiors leading to a Victorian-style theatre upstairs. The experience also takes you off the bus to atmospheric locations, including a hidden city-centre graveyard and St Audoen's Church. Hear about body snatchers, unsettling characters and Dublin's connections with Dracula as the city's darker past comes to life.
It is our top pick for couples and friends looking for a Halloween night out in Dublin that gives everyone something to talk about afterwards.
What to expect on the Ghostbus
- Live storytelling by professional actors.
- Gruesome history and dark humour.
- A Victorian-style theatre on board.
- Visits to atmospheric Dublin locations.
Plan your Ghostbus visit
- Duration: Approximately two hours.
- Departure: Dublin Bus Headquarters, 59 Upper O'Connell Street.
- Age guidance: Ages 14 and over; guests under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
- Before you go: Arrive 15 minutes early and dress for outdoor stops. The tour is in English and is not wheelchair accessible.
Check Halloween availability and book your Ghostbus Tour.
2. Experience Bram Stoker Festival 2026
Dublin's connection with the author of Dracula makes Bram Stoker Festival a natural addition to a Halloween break. The festival celebrates Stoker's legacy across venues throughout the city, offering a chance to explore Dublin's Gothic imagination and creative side.
For 2026, the festival takes place over the October bank holiday weekend, Friday 23 to Monday 26 October. That is the weekend before Halloween, an important detail if you are choosing travel dates. The full programme is due in late September, so use the individual listings to choose performances and activities that suit your group.
- Location: Venues across Dublin city.
- 2026 dates: 23-26 October.
- Good to know: The festival usually includes family activities and free events; check each listing for booking requirements and age suitability.
Check the Bram Stoker Festival dates and programme information.
3. Join the Ghostbus Kids Tour
For a family Halloween activity in Dublin, let younger ghost hunters have their own adventure aboard the Ghostbus Kids Tour. Created for children aged 7-14, this separate experience combines Dublin's horrible histories with games, quizzes and interactive storytelling.
A professional actor and children's entertainer leads the fun, giving curious children a chance to discover spooky stories while joining in along the way. The emphasis is on laughter and entertainment, although sensitive children may still find some of the material frightening.
- 2026 availability: Running during the Halloween holidays; choose your date in the booking calendar.
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
- Departure: Bus Stop 271 beside the O'Connell Street and Abbey Street junction.
- Supervision: At least one accompanying adult for every six children.
Book your family's Ghostbus Kids Halloween adventure.
4. Follow Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House
For a Halloween evening filled with glowing displays, head to Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House & Farm in Donabate. The outdoor trail brings together illuminated pumpkin creations, imaginative scenes and plenty of opportunities to stop for photographs.
The event is designed without jump scares, making it an appealing choice for families and anyone who enjoys the look and atmosphere of Halloween. Wrap up for an evening outdoors and take your time enjoying the displays as you follow the route through the grounds.
- Location: Newbridge House & Farm, Donabate, north County Dublin.
- 2026 season: 2-31 October; select an available entry time when booking.
- Best for: Pumpkin displays, family evenings and seasonal photographs.
View Pumpkins After Dark event details and booking information.
5. Explore the Haunted Trail at Malahide Castle
Malahide Castle & Gardens brings a woodland setting to Halloween with The Haunted Trail presents: Malahide Samhain Festival 2026. The announced experience includes an interactive family trail, costumed characters and gently spooky scenes designed with young children in mind.
The plans also feature a Celtic Samhain Village, storytelling and seasonal food and drink, connecting the Halloween atmosphere with Irish traditions. It is a good option for families who want an outdoor adventure with things to discover together along the way.
- Location: Malahide Castle & Gardens, north County Dublin.
- 2026 status: Announced for October; exact dates and further details are still to be released.
- Best for: Young families, woodland trails and Halloween costumes.
See the latest Malahide Samhain Festival announcements.
6. Enjoy woodland adventures and pumpkins at Luggwoods
Luggwoods near Saggart combines a forest adventure with the colours and decorations of autumn. Its Halloween experience invites families to meet characters along a woodland trail and join a story that unfolds as they explore.
The advertised Fall Festival adds pumpkin displays, scarecrows, seasonal treats and photo opportunities, with a pumpkin patch forming part of the experience. For children who enjoy dressing up and taking part in a story, this is a lively way to spend a Halloween day outdoors.
- Location: The Lugg, Saggart, south County Dublin.
- Dates and tickets: Check the organiser's booking calendar for the latest 2026 availability and ticket inclusions.
- Best for: Families, woodland adventures and pumpkin fun.
Explore the Luggwoods Halloween experience and booking options.
7. Hear dark Irish folklore at the National Leprechaun Museum
Irish folklore has plenty of unsettling stories, and Darkland at the National Leprechaun Museum gives adults an opportunity to hear some of them told live. This storytelling experience explores the more disturbing side of Ireland's myths and legends in an atmospheric indoor setting.
For couples or friends who enjoy a well-told tale, it adds a different kind of Halloween evening to a Dublin visit. Check the October booking options, as seasonal editions can replace the regular Darkland show.
- Location: Mary's Abbey, Dublin 7.
- Age guidance: Strictly 18 and over; photo ID may be required.
- Duration: Approximately one hour, performed in English.
View the National Leprechaun Museum's October storytelling options.
8. Discover unusual stories at Glasnevin Cemetery
A visit to Glasnevin Cemetery adds an atmospheric daytime stop to a Halloween break. On the Dead Interesting Tour, a guide introduces the remarkable lives and unexpected stories behind this historic place.
Between the Victorian monuments, carved details and stories of the people buried here, there is plenty to hold the attention of anyone fascinated by Dublin's past. This regular history tour offers a thoughtful way to explore the cemetery and discover some of its less familiar characters.
- Location: Glasnevin Cemetery, Finglas Road, Dublin 11.
- Duration: Approximately 90 minutes.
- Best for: History enthusiasts and an atmospheric daytime visit.
Check dates and book the Dead Interesting Tour at Glasnevin.
9. Explore Dublin's gruesome medieval past at Dublinia
Halloween is a fitting time to discover the less comfortable side of medieval life. At Dublinia, interactive exhibitions introduce the city's Viking and medieval past, including crime and punishment, disease and the challenges of everyday life centuries ago.
Located beside Christ Church Cathedral, Dublinia works well as an indoor activity during an October city break or family day out. The regular exhibitions offer plenty to explore throughout the year, making this a useful option alongside the season's ticketed trails and evening events.
- Location: St Michael's Hill, in Dublin's Christ Church area.
- Best for: Families, Viking history and indoor exploring.
- Planning tip: Check Dublinia's current events programme for any separately announced Halloween activities.
Plan your visit and book Dublinia tickets.
10. Watch classic horror films at The Lark
For a Halloween night out in north County Dublin, settle in for classic horror at The Lark in Balbriggan. Its Lark After Dark programme includes a double bill of House on Haunted Hill and Carnival of Souls on Monday 26 October 2026.
Bring a fellow film fan and enjoy an evening built around suspense, strange happenings and vintage horror atmosphere. The indoor setting also makes this a useful choice when you want Halloween plans that do not depend on the weather.
- Location: The Lark, Church Street, Balbriggan.
- Confirmed double bill: 26 October 2026 at 7pm.
- Before booking: Check the venue's film listings and age guidance.
View The Lark's Halloween double bill and ticket details.
11. See the bog bodies at the National Museum of Ireland
Looking for a free thing to do in Dublin at Halloween? Visit the National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street, where the permanent Kingship and Sacrifice exhibition explores ancient beliefs and rituals through archaeological discoveries, including remarkably preserved bog bodies.
It is a fascinating addition to an October visit for anyone interested in the mysteries of Ireland's ancient past. Admission is free, and you can combine the exhibition with the museum's other archaeological collections. The displays contain real human remains, so families may wish to review the exhibition information before visiting.
- Location: Kildare Street, Dublin 2.
- Admission: Free.
- Best for: Ancient history, indoor exploring and a visit on a budget.
Read about the Kingship and Sacrifice exhibition.
Plan your Halloween day or night out in Dublin
Choose one main experience and build your plans around it. These combinations give you a starting point:
- For couples and friends: Explore a museum by day, leave time for dinner and finish with the Ghostbus Tour.
- For families: Choose the Ghostbus Kids Tour for ages 7-14, or look at the gentler pumpkin displays and woodland trails for younger children.
- For a festival break: Plan around 23-26 October for Bram Stoker Festival and choose individual events once the programme is released.
- For a visit on a budget: Start with the National Museum and check the Bram Stoker Festival programme for free activities.
Allow extra travel time for events in Donabate, Malahide, Saggart and Balbriggan, which are outside Dublin city centre. Check each venue's transport information before choosing back-to-back activities.
FAQs about things to do in Dublin at Halloween
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When is Halloween in Dublin in 2026?
Halloween is on Saturday 31 October 2026. Events take place on different dates throughout the season, including Bram Stoker Festival from 23-26 October, so check the specific experience you want to attend before arranging your trip.
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What are the best Halloween activities in Dublin for adults?
Our top pick is the original Ghostbus Tour, particularly for couples and groups of friends. Darkland storytelling at the National Leprechaun Museum and classic horror screenings at The Lark are other options for a Halloween evening.
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What can families do in Dublin at Halloween?
Family options include the Ghostbus Kids Tour, Pumpkins After Dark at Newbridge House, Malahide's Haunted Trail and Luggwoods. Choose an experience that suits your children's ages and comfort with spooky stories; the Ghostbus Kids Tour is designed for ages 7-14.
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Are there free things to do in Dublin at Halloween?
The National Museum of Ireland on Kildare Street offers free admission. Bram Stoker Festival also usually includes free activities, with the 2026 programme due in late September. Check whether individual free events require advance booking.
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Should I book Dublin Halloween events in advance?
Booking ahead is a good idea if you have a particular date or group size in mind. Check available Ghostbus departures and timed-entry events before making the rest of your plans, especially around the October bank holiday and Halloween itself.
Make the Ghostbus part of your Dublin Halloween
Bring your friends, choose your Halloween date and let Dublin's darker stories set the scene for the evening. The original Ghostbus Tour brings together live entertainment, local history and theatrical scares for a memorable night in the city.
