With Halloween just around the corner, we have gathered some of the events, festivals and parades happening across Cork this year – there’s plenty of fun and fright to be had for all the family!
Leap Scarecrow Festival, Leap, West Cork
From 19 October–1 November, Leap will undergo a spectacular transformation. The streets will come alive with a quirky army of straw creations.
The village will buzz with indoor festivities, gigs, arts and craft workshops, dances, storytelling, street entertainment, family fun, and spooky surprises designed to capture the imagination of all ages.
Bandon Banshee Festival, Bandon
Taking place from 23 October – 1 November, enjoy arts and crafts workshops, parades and more across the week leading up to Halloween.
On 30 October from 3:30pm – 7pm, enjoy the Banshee party, parade and fire show free of charge, thanks to Creative Bandon, Riverview and Supervalu. Enjoy free hamburgers, ghoulish face painting by the legendary Tracey Irwin of Mumbo Jumbo, and enjoy scrapes with the Daddy of all Long Legs, the Great Galán. Follow the Banshee Parade at 5:30pm to the world famous ROGU fire show at 6pm.
For more visit Creative Bandon on Facebook.
Dragon of Shandon
Re-emerging from the underworld at 7pm on 31 October, the 36-foot Dragon made by the hands of the Cork City community will once again prowl the streets escorted by her legion of loyal ghouls, beasts, misfits and spooky creatures, to celebrate the ancient tradition of Samhain in a thrilling nighttime parade and finale show. Thousands of spectators are expected at the event, which is free to attend.
Doneraile Samhain Festival
Taking place in Doneraile across the Halloween weekend, you can celebrate all things Samhain. A craft fair will take place on Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November from 10:30am-4pm in the town’s main street.
At 3:30pm on Saturday 31 October, a Halloween parade will head through the town. There will be dancing witches, a fire show and a Shakespeare troupe. The parade starts from Hickeys pub and will walk down the town, entering the park via Fish Pond Lane.
Emily’s Bar will have a Halloween party on Saturday 31 October, starting from 8pm. Prizes will be awarded to those with the best costumes.
On Sunday 1 November, Doneraile Park and Tea Room will host a family fun day. Birds of prey and a kids’ party club will form part of the fun.
Shadows of the Clock, Youghal
Experience the darker side of Youghal’s history this Halloween with the return of Shadows of the Clock, a unique series of after-dark tours at the historic Youghal Clock Gate Tower.
Taking place on 23rd, 24th, 29th, 30th and 31st October, the guided tours will offer visitors a rare opportunity to discover stories associated with one of Youghal’s most significant heritage attractions after dark. Tours will depart at 6pm and 7pm each evening, with each experience lasting approximately one hour. An additional adult-only (18+) tour will run at 8pm on 29th, 30th and 31st October.
For centuries, the Clock Gate Tower has played a prominent role in the history of Youghal. Originally serving as part of the town’s fortifications and later operating as a prison, the building holds many stories of punishment, unrest and intrigue.
Spirit of Samhain, Youghal
Taking place from 30–31 October, this free festival celebrates the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. From arts and crafts workshops, candlelit storytelling, face painting, trick or treat walks and performances and rituals from the Witches of Youghal.
See spiritofyoughalevents.com for more information.
Spike Island Spookfest Trail
This Halloween event is perfect for all the family. Take a ferry across the harbour before embarking on an adventure through Spike Island, where areas of the ancient fortress and prison have been transformed into a realm of Halloween spookiness! Little ones can trick or treat their way around the fortress – keep an eye out for friendly tour guides who will be handing out sweet treats. Along the trail, there will be spectacular fire juggling performances every hour by Cork circus skills performer, Circus Cake.
Once the trick or treating is complete, families can relax at the cafe and kids playground.
Suitable for children aged 2+. Book tickets via spikeislandcork.ie.
Cork City Ghost Tour
What better time to do a ghost walking tour than Halloween? The Cork Ghost Tour lasts for 75 minutes and starts and finishes outside of Cork Opera House at Emmett Square. Bookings via corkghosttour.ie. For group bookings and enquiries about dates and times, contact corkghosttour@gmail.com.
Halloween Spooky House, Passage West
Enjoy a good fright in the Halloween Spooky House in Passage West, Cork. The Spooky House is located at the Father Collins Community Centre will be open from 23-26 October, from 6pm-9pm each night, except on 26 October, when it’s open from 5pm-8pm.
The house is built and staffed entirely by volunteers and monies raised will go towards Marymount University Hospital and Hospice.
There will be a dedicated sensory friendly session on 26 October, offering a calmer, adapted Spooky House experience with reduced lighting, softer sounds and a more relaxed environment.
Tickets, which can be purchased at the door, cost €5 for a child, €10 for an adult or €20 for a family of four.
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