Did you know that Ireland is the ancestral home of Halloween?
The roots of Halloween can be traced back 2000 years to the Celtic Samhain festival, which celebrated the end of summer. Today, Halloween (or Oíche Shamhna in Irish) is a fun holiday to spend with family and friends, dress up, play games and of course eat sweet treats. Halloween is a fun time to visit Dublin with lots of fun and spooky things to do for all ages. Book family-friendly accommodation in Aspect Hotel Dublin and plan a memorable Halloween in Dublin.
The Nightmare Realm
The Nightmare Realm returns in 2023 to Smithfield Square in Dublin City Centre and promises to once again be a fright-fest for all of the family. This indoor spook fest is sure to get your pulse racing with five mazes across a large campus and plenty of scares around every corner. This award-winning Halloween attraction has dozens of actors ready to spook you with mazes to cater to every fear. Experience the little museum of horrors, the banshee experience, and extended Halloweentown and after all of that, if you haven’t lost your appetite, there is a food court to refuel. Solo adult tickets cost €32 and family tickets cost €100. It’s too scary for little ones so they welcome guests aged 13 and up.
Puca Festival
Puca Festival, located in County Meath, returns this year to celebrate Ireland being the birthplace of Halloween. From 27th – 31st of October 2023 locations in Trim and Athboy are transformed into festival spaces with an incredible line-up of acts and events announced already and more to follow. Legend has it after the lights go out, the shape-shifting spirit of Púca comes alive changing the fortunes of all who cross her path. At Púca Festival they salute the Halloween spirits through food, entertainment, art, storytelling, and music to create one of the most memorable Halloween experiences in Ireland. There are many events aimed at all ages including storytelling and entertainment, but the majority of the evening entertainment is aimed at older teens and adults.
Gravedigger Ghost Bus Tour
Dublin City has its share of spooky secrets, things you would never guess from a normal tourist trail. The Gravedigger Ghost Tour is one of the most unique and entertaining things you can do around Halloween with your family. The stories begin with Trinity College where they transport you back 600 years ago to when the old Augustinian Priory and the plague house were there. You’ll hear the stories of some of the scariest and haunting parts of Dublin’s history from two character actors in full costume. They have a second tour giving you the gory details of the Coffin Ships from the Great Famine in Ireland. It’s a truly unique Dublin tour with stories the usual tour guides won’t tell you.
Civic Theatre Spooktacular
From October 27th to 31st you can celebrate the spooky season with a live Halloween spooky-but-not-too-scary show. Brought to you by the same group that put together the Civic Panto, the Spooktacular is great for all ages. Join Princess Arabella and her trusty butler Wiggles as they face a mysterious challenge in Spookville caused by three creepy witches. Child tickets from €14, adult tickets from €17 or a family ticket from €60. There will be a sensory-friendly performance on October 29th at 2 pm. It’s a fun way to celebrate the spookiest day of the year without too many scares.
Bram Stoker Festival
Did you know that one of the most famous horror writers in the world was born here in Dublin? Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, is revered and honoured in Dublin around Halloween each year at the Bram Stoker Festival. From Friday 27– Monday 30 October you can enjoy tours, entertainment, street performances, music, and family-friendly fun for all ages at this special festival that takes place in various venues around the city. Keep an eye on their website for the latest announcements and lineup.
Plan a trip to Dublin this midterm and create Halloween memories they’ll never forget. Aspect Hotel is a family-friendly hotel in Dublin perfect for groups, couples, solos and families of all sizes. Our best available rates are exclusively available on our website, guaranteed.
