Ireland, Home of Halloween is an all-island initiative led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland, and Tourism Northern Ireland, celebrating Ireland as the birthplace of Halloween and sharing the ancient traditions of Samhain through authentic festivals and visitor experiences. Limerick is proud to be one of seven participating destinations and invites everyone to discover Halloween across the city and county from 11th October to 1st November.
Explore the events supported by Limerick City and County Council as part of this nationwide celebration of Ireland's Halloween heritage.
Samhain at the Crossroads
Monday 12th - Saturday 17th October | Kilfinane
This community-focused celebration blends folklore, harvest customs and local heritage within the Ballyhoura landscape. Artist-led workshops, storytelling and a lantern walk culminate in a welcoming gathering that captures the spirit of a traditional rural Samhain.
Morbid & Sons
Saturdays 17th & 24th October @ 2pm & 4pm | Nicholas Street
The popular street theatre troupe returns with its darkly comic Victorian “pop-up funeral shop”, bringing laughter and Halloween mischief to the streets of Limerick. Through interactive performances and quirky characters, the show offers a humorous take on life, death and everything in between.
Castleconnell Fright Fest
Friday 23rd - Sunday 25th October | Shannon House
Celebrate Halloween in Castleconnell with a weekend of spooky family fun, ancient folklore and eerie adventures. Castleconnell Fright Fest brings together three unique events, including a lively Spooky Fun Morning, an insightful Ancient Festival of Samhain Talk, and the thrilling Scary Trail. A perfect blend of thrills, tales and seasonal fun for all ages.
Glow & Ghouls Candle-Making
Friday 23rd October | 101
A Samhain candle-making experience that is a culturally rooted, participatory Halloween event that combines hands-on craft, storytelling and community engagement.
Trick or Treat in the City
24th, 25th, 26th, 30th & 31st October | Starting Point: The Crescent, O'Connell Street
An immersive family-friendly trail through Limerick's city centre featuring storytelling, live entertainment, themed experiences and interactive activities inspired by Irish Halloween traditions. Running across two weekends, the event connects key city locations while bringing Georgian Limerick to life through seasonal animation.
Limerick Harvest Festival
Sunday 25th October @ 10.30am - 5pm | Limerick Milk Market
Taking place at the Milk Market, this family-friendly autumn festival celebrates food, culture, creativity and community in the heart of the city. Visitors can enjoy artisan producers, live entertainment, demonstrations and hands-on activities showcasing the best of the harvest season.
HallowNight Festival
Tuesday 27th - Friday 30th October | Northside FRC
Taking place over four exciting days, the programme features traditional turnip‑lantern carving, a guided Haunted Heritage Walk through some of the area’s most atmospheric sites and an intergenerational storytelling night where local legends and memories are shared across generations.
Samhain Tales by the Limerick Fireside
Wednesday 28th (Friar's Gate), Friday 30th (Glórach) & Saturday 31st (People's Museum) October
Storyteller and musician Dáithí Collopy explores the origins and traditions of Samhain through a blend of folklore, history, music and verse. The performance includes uniquely Limerick tales, from the haunting of Thomond Bridge to the curse of St. Munchin.
King's Island Halloween Walking Tour
Wednesday 28th, Thursday 29th & Friday 30th October | Bishop's Palace
Dark nights provide the perfect backdrop for the King's Island Halloween Walking Tour at the ancient Bishop’s Palace on Church Street, King’s Island. The Haunted Tour is suitable for all ages and takes in the historic Bishop’s Palace building and its ancient cellars through to the old St Munchin’s graveyard.
Halloween City Centre Fancy Dress 5km
Thursday 29th October @ 8pm | Starting Point: King John's Castle Plaza
Up to 2,000 participants will take to Limerick's illuminated streets for a unique 5km Halloween-themed night run, walk or jog through the city centre. The event culminates at King John's Castle with music, lights, costumes and a festival atmosphere celebrating the Halloween season.
Samhain at Lough Gur: Where Myth meets Memory
Thursday 29th October - Monday 1st November
This atmospheric four-day celebration in Lough Gur brings Ireland’s ancient traditions to life through folklore, creativity, history and family fun.
Halloween Scarefest
Thursday 29th October @ 4pm | The Factory, Southside Youth Space
This family event will include a live Scare Maze, DJ, face painting, interactive games, Halloween goodie bags, a limited place Candy Floss Workshop and Find the Factory Ghosts competition.
Halloween Tour
Thursday 29th, Friday 30th & Saturday 31st October | People's Museum
A spooky tour of the Georgian townhouse, packed with dark historical tales and eerie stories from the past.
Oktoberfeis
Friday 30th October from 6pm | King John's Castle
Get ready for an incredible celebration that brings together the best of Irish culture and the unmistakable energy of Oktoberfeis, all set against one of Ireland’s most spectacular historic landmarks. Experience an evening packed with live entertainment, beginning with live music, spectacular traditional Irish dancers, interactive entertainment, competitions and surprises throughout the night, before a DJ takes over to close the event with a massive party atmosphere.
Mystery Samhain Banquet
Friday 30th October @ 6pm - 10pm | Meeting Point: King John's Castle
A unique theatrical dining experience that brings guests on a mystery journey through the city to a secret historic venue, celebrating Limerick's medieval heritage and the origins of Halloween. The evening combines storytelling, live performance and a three-course seasonal menu inspired by traditional Samhain foods and local produce.
Rathkeale Halloween Festival
Friday 30th & Saturday 31st October
A folklore-inspired Halloween programme that reimagines Irish mythology through storytelling, workshops, a Samhain carving trail and a spectacular ‘Dullahan to Darkness’ parade. The festivities conclude with a fancy dress party, creating a distinctive community celebration rooted in local culture and legend.
Halloween at Desmond Castle
Saturday 31st October @ 4.30pm | Newcastle West
Set against the stunning backdrop of the historic Desmond Castle, this inclusive Halloween event draws inspiration from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain and promises a bewitching experience for visitors of all ages. Enjoy a packed programme of storytelling, live music, arts and crafts, street performers, competitions, costumes, covens, and plenty of seasonal surprises throughout the evening.
Looking for even more Halloween magic? Alongside these Ireland, Home of Halloween events, you'll find plenty more frightfully good things to see and do across the city and county.
