By Chelsea Tyler McNeill
Looking for some ideas for what to do this Hallowe’en? Look no further than this list of the top activities happening in Dublin and its surrounding areas this October.
The Bram Stoker Festival: at venues across Dublin City
This Hallowe’en festival runs from the 28th to the 31st of October with lots of scary fun for everyone. Over the course of four days, there will be events including scary movie screenings in The Light House Cinema, Dracula’s Disco, scary music trail and a horror expedition. You can find all of their events and book tickets through their website.
Farmaphobia: Causey Farm, Navan, Co. Meath
Warning, this is not for the faint hearted. For those of you horror lovers who truly want a fright this Hallowe’en, Farmaphobia is for you. Less than an hour’s drive from Dublin city centre, you can prepare to be chased by clowns, go down to the mutilation morgue and find your way through mazes where you won’t be alone. Tickets begin at €18, depending on the time you go at and the activities you want to do. Further details can be found at http://www.farmaphobia.ie/
Pumpkin picking: Airfield Farm, Dundrum, Dublin
What would Hallowe’en be without carving your own pumpkin? Airfield Farm in Dundrum is the perfect day out for the whole family, with children’s play areas and a farmers market. Get in the spirit of Hallowe’en by picking your own pumpkin and enjoying all of the autumn food and beverages from the farm. Admission is €10 for adults and €5 for children (under threes are free) or you can look online for family packages and deals.
Dublin Zoo Hallowe’en Spooktacular: Phoenix Park, Dublin 8.
For the kids who can’t wait until Hallowe’en night for the festivities to start, bring them down to Dublin Zoo where from 12pm to 2pm, there will be Hallowe’en festivities dotted all around the zoo. There will be arts and crafts, spooky zoo keeper stories, face painting and monster music. Admission fee is the usual, €17 per adult and €12.20 per child (under three is free), family packages are also available online.
Masquerade Mystery in Malahide Castle: Malahide, Co. Dublin.
Malahide Castle are inviting families to come dressed up in their scariest costumes for a spooky masquerade mystery tour. Families will be brought around the haunted castle to go ghost hunting and for other spooky festivities. It costs €12 for adults and €6 for children but family packages are also available. Find out more at MalahideGardens.ie.
Witches lair at the Leprechaun museum: Jervis Street, Dublin 1.
The leprechaun museum are taking us back to the roots of Hallowe’en, and at the witches lair you will hear stories of old Irish folklore and ancient witchcraft. There are day time events for under 18’s and night time events for the overs. The night time tours cost €16 and the prices of day time events vary, see all the information here.
The Dublin Ghost Bus: Dublin City and surrounds.
Hop on the tour bus and see the most terrifying sights in Dublin, this is a Hallowe’en night out that won’t disappoint. For €28 per adult you go all around Dublin to castles, graveyards and haunted sites with actors playing their roles from beginning to end so you really feel like you are in another world. It is a two hour tour beginning at the Dublin Bus headquarters on O’Connell Street. It is not suitable for children under 14. For more visit their website.
Tayto Park: Ashbourne Co, Meath
Tayto Park is less than an hour outside of Dublin and it offers day and night events throughout the month of October to celebrate Hallowe’en. Tayto Park after dark is open for 14 year olds and over, and for €20 per person you get a pass for all the rides plus you get to experience a 5D horror move. During the day, kids over eight can come to the house of horrors which is €6 per person. The park will also be open to all ages for different activities during the days like face painting and craft making. For more visit their website here.
Hocus Pocus at the big drive in cinema: Cherrywood, Co. Dublin
On Hallowe’en Eve, drive down to Cherrywood Business Park to watch Hocus Pocus on the world’s largest outdoor LED movie screen. You can watch this Hallowe’en classic in the comfort of your own car and even listen to the movie through your radio. So bring your friends, get some food and get into the Hallowe’en spirit. There will also be screenings of other classic movies like Grease and the Lion King at the end of the month, head over to their website to get your hands on tickets.