Galway Halloween Events 2026

Galway is expected to come alive once again autumn with the Gaillimh Ah-Boo! Festival 2026, a week-long celebration honouring Samhain, the Celtic festival that inspired Halloween. The Highlights include Dark Shores at Ladies Beach, storytelling at Galway City Museum, and the Macnas Parade lighting up the city centre. Visitors can enjoy Dark History Tours, a Samhain Sing Song, and vibrant performances like the Tine Lasta Fire Show and Samhain Community Dance Spectacle in Eyre Square. With art, theatre, comedy, music, and parades filling the streets, Gaillimh Aboo! captures the true spirit of Samhain and Galway’s love of spectacle and storytelling.

Halloween bank holiday weekend 2026 is expected to bring another wonderfully exciting spectacle of unusual creations to the streets of Galway by Macnas. The Macnas Halloween Parade in Galway is an annual, free, large-scale spectacle that takes place in the city centre on the evening of Sunday, October 25th, 2026, starting at 5:30 PM. This year’s parade, titled “An Treun – The Summoning of the Lost”, is inspired by a forgotten story by Bram Stoker and the call of the Corncrake. The event is a highlight of Galway’s cultural calendar and is known for captivating audiences with its giant creations and storytelling through the streets. Don’t miss this stunning Macnas experience!

This Halloween, explore the eerie past of Galway with the Dark History Tour of Galway City. Led by an experienced guide, discover chilling tales of executions, murders, and hauntings as you visit sites like Forthill Cemetery, Lynch’s Memorial Window, The Kings Head and Galway Cathedral. Suitable for ages 12+, this tour offers a spooky, historical dive into Galway’s darker side. Advance booking is essential!

The Galway Comedy Festival returns this Halloween, running from October 20th to 26th, 2026, bringing top international and Irish comedians to venues across Galway. Expect hilarious stand-up, improv, and comedy shows at locations like Leisureland and Róisín Dubh. With a week of laughter-filled events, this festival offers the perfect way to enjoy the Halloween holidays with some comic relief!

Step into the spirit of Samhain at the Galway Samhain Céilí. Hosted by The Galway Céilí Club, the evening begins with a lively workshop led by Joe, followed by two hours of dancing to energetic live traditional music. Beginners are warmly welcomed, and mistakes are all part of the fun! Don’t forget your fancy dress—there’s a prize for the best costume!