Experience the best events in Galway - completely free! Explore This is Galway's Ultimate Budget-Friendly Events Guide and never miss out on top happenings without spending a cent.
Please note: This article will be updated as events take place meaning that this article can be your go-to no matter the day of week or time of year. For Galway’s full events calendar, visit thisisgalway.ie.
Halloween Family Workshop: Spooky Stories & Art - Fully Booked
When: October 29th at 11am
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Halloween was traditionally regarded as the night when the boundaries between this world and the Otherworld grew thin – a night of fairies, ghosts and the dead. Join storyteller Rab Fulton as he shares a suitably spooky tale. Afterwards, inspired by the story, create your own illustration of a character or scene with artist and art educator Vicky Smith. All materials provided. Admission is FREE, but advance booking is essential, as places are strictly limited. To book, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie. This event is suitable for children aged 8– 12 – please specify child’s age when booking. This event is part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo! – a city-wide celebration of Samhain supported through Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme.
Halloween Family Storytelling: Spooky Samhain Tales - Fully Booked
When: October 29th at 1.30pm & 2.15pm and October 30th at 1.30pm & 2.15pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Samhain marked the beginning of winter, when the long, dark evenings by the fireside lent themselves to storytelling. Join storyteller and author Rab Fulton for some spooky tales inspired by this ancient time of year. Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. This event is suitable for families. This event is part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo! – a city-wide celebration of Samhain supported through Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme.
Halloween Family Workshop: Traditional Halloween Masks
When: October 30th at 11am
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Halloween was traditionally regarded as the night when the boundaries between this world and the Otherworld grew thin – a night where fairies, ghosts and the dead roamed about freely. In the past, the fear of encountering an otherworldly being led people, mostly adults, to disguise themselves for protection. These ‘guisers’ darkened their faces with soot or wore homemade masks and costumes, and changed their voices to conceal their true identity. Join Brendan McGowan, Museum Education Officer, as he explores the Halloween tradition of ‘guising’. Afterwards, create your own traditional Halloween mask from recycled materials with artist and art educator Vicky Smith. All materials are provided, but feel free to bring along your own scraps of fabric or other suitable materials. Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. This event is suitable for children aged 8–12. Please specify child’s age when booking. This event is part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo! – a city-wide celebration of Samhain supported through Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme.
Family: Silent Saturday
When: October 31st, 10am-12pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Silent Saturdays are sensory-friendly mornings at Galway City Museum, designed to offer a calmer and more comfortable visit for neurodivergent visitors, people with sensory differences, and anyone who would benefit from a quieter environment. These sessions take place on the last Saturday of each month. They run from 10am to 12pm. During this time, sound levels throughout the building are reduced or turned off where possible, large groups visits are discouraged, and the Education Room on Level 2 is available as a designated Quiet Space.
Music: Maurice Lennon Trio
When: October 31st at 2pm
Where: Tig Cóilí
More information here
Coming to Tig Cóilí this Halloween is the brilliant musical trio Maurice Lennon, Ciara Brennan, and Chris Dawson. Three exceptional musicians, operating in perfect symbiosis, during a performance they combine their talents to create a sound that is both innovative and steeped in tradition. Together, they are a powerful musical partnership and are making waves in the Irish traditional music world. Ciara’s instrumental playing and haunting vocals complement Maurice’s virtuosic fiddle playing, while Chris’s rhythm and intricate arrangements on multiple instruments add depth and texture to the music. Not to be missed, make sure you call in for this free Saturday show!
Talk & Taste Event: Traditional Halloween Fare
When: October 31st at 2pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Traditionally, Halloween was a time of feasting, and the occasion was marked with special foods and treats in honour of the night. Colcannon, boxty, apple cake, blackberry pies, and pudding all formed part of the fare. Of all the foods traditionally eaten at Halloween, the brack (bairín breac or barmbrack), or fruit loaf, remains perhaps the most familiar. In Halloweens past, it might contain not only a ring, but also a small silver coin, a button, a thimble, a chip of wood and a rag, each one foretelling the finder’s future. Join culinary historian Anna O’Donnell as she discusses traditional Halloween fare, delves into the customs associated with the brack, and demonstrates how to make one. Afterwards, sample a freshly-made traditional brack. Admission is FREE, but early booking is advised as places are limited. For bookings, please email Museum@GalwayCity.ie or call (091) 532460. This event is suitable for all ages. This event is part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo! – a city-wide celebration of Samhain supported through Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme.
Talk: The Murder of Michael Walsh, 1920 with Brendan McGowan
When: November 3rd, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum is hosting a series of educational talks at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, on the first Tuesday of each month from November 2026 to March 2027. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme explores different aspects of Galway’s rich history and heritage, from medieval pilgrimage and historic buildings to murder, mystery and the story of Westside itself. In October 1920, Michael Walsh, popular owner of the Old Malt on High Street and a Sinn Féin member of the Galway Urban District Council, was taken from his place of business and murdered on the Long Walk. Join Brendan McGowan, Education Officer at Galway City Museum, as he tells Walsh’s story through the objects and photographs, including new details that have recently come to light.
Launch Night: OXO 2026
When: November 6th, 6-9pm
Where: Outset Gallery
More information here
Outset Gallery is delighted to present the 2026 edition of the Outset Xmas Open which will take place on Friday 6th November from 6-9pm. OXO will act as Ireland’s largest Christmas exhibition of 2026 and will run between 6 Nov 2026 – 24 Jan 2027, providing a platform for artists based locally, nationally & internationally to exhibit their artwork in Galway City, the cultural capital of the West. OXO 2025 featured 170 works from over 150 artists representing a diverse range of artists across multiple disciplines. We had a footfall of 7000+ visitors over the course of Nov 2025 – Jan 2026 and expect OXO 2026 to surpass this acting as a calendar event in Visual Art. This free launch event will run from 18.00 – 21.00 with complimentary refreshments from our generous sponsors and music from a local DJ. On Thursday 5th November, there will be a Private Viewing for OXO 2026, from 6pm – 8pm; This intimate event is aimed towards interior designers, collectors and buyers specifically, with complimentary wine and small bites from Magpie! If you are interested in attending this viewing you can reserve your attendance here
Culture: International Uilleann Piping Day
When: November 7th, 2-4pm
Where: Galway City Museum
More information here
Celebrate International Uilleann Piping Day 2026 with a live performance of Ireland’s national pipes. Enjoy an afternoon of music, culture, and tradition. The uilleann (‘elbow’ in Irish) pipes or ‘Irish pipes’ are a sophisticated form of bagpipe with a history that can be traced back to the 1700s. In recognition of its cultural importance, uilleann piping was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2017. This musical event is free of charge and no booking is required.
Book Signing: The World of Oliver Jeffers Tour - SOLD OUT
When: November 8th, at 12pm
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Come and meet award-winning author and artist, Oliver Jeffers at Kennys for a book signing of his books, which will include his brand new children’s book A Day Off School and the new paperback edition of There’s a Ghost in This House. A free art print will be gifted with either of those two books bought on the day! Copies of A Day Off School and There’s a Ghost in This House will be available to buy at Kennys Bookshop on the day, along with many of his other books! If you require multiple tickets please ensure you book as a group so that each individual is registered and assigned a ticket. All are welcome!
Dips for Health
When: November 13th, at 12.30pm
Where: Ladies Beach Salthill
More information here
Looking to boost your mood, meet new people, and feel more connected? Connect with Yourself & Others and Join Dips for Health! Come along for a free sociable sea dip between 12.30pm and 1.30pm. No pressure, just connection, community, and the sea. Refreshments provided!
Music: Slow Attack of The Mumbling Folk
When: November 13th at 8pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
Slow Attack of the Mumbling Folk are an improvisational duo comprising Aaron Hurley and Aaron Coyne. The Aarons coax dreamy distorted melodic fog from heavily effected guitars, wobbly keys and fuzzed out bass. This rare live performance is to celebrate their first release, which will be available on the night in cassette format. Support on the night comes fron the Aaron’s solo songwriting projects A Ghostly Lunar and Yawning Chasm.
Music: 20th Century Paddy: The Songs of Shane MacGowen – Album Launch Listening Party
When: November 18th at 6pm
Where: Róisín Dubh
More information here
Join fellow Shane MacGowan fans for a special listening party at Róisín Dubh, where you’ll get to experience 20th Century Paddy in full. This is a chance to come together, enjoy the album & celebrate the songs of one of Ireland’s greatest songwriters.
Barna Art Fair
When: November 21st/22nd, from 10am
Where: Scoil Shéamais Naofa, Barna
More information here
Barna Art Fair returns to Scoil Shéamais Naofa for its third consecutive year, offering visitors the perfect opportunity to shop for unique Christmas gifts while supporting local artists. This year’s fair will showcase 25 contemporary artists from across the West of Ireland, bringing the community together for a festive weekend celebrating local creativity, culture and conversation.
Talk: Medieval Pilgrims from Galway to Santiago de Compostela
When: December 1st, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum is hosting a series of educational talks at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, on the first Tuesday of each month from November 2026 to March 2027. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme explores different aspects of Galway’s rich history and heritage, from medieval pilgrimage and historic buildings to murder, mystery and the story of Westside itself. One of the major pilgrimages of the medieval Christian world, the Camino de Santiago (the Way of St James) is a network of routeways that lead to the shrine of St James the Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Galicia in northwest Spain. Join Dr Bernadette Cunningham, author of Medieval Irish Pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela (2018), as she shares the story of Galway’s Margaret Athy and other pilgrims from the West.
Talk: The Reliquary of St Ursula with Eóin Ó Néill
When: January 5th, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum is hosting a series of educational talks at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, on the first Tuesday of each month from November 2026 to March 2027. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme explores different aspects of Galway’s rich history and heritage, from medieval pilgrimage and historic buildings to murder, mystery and the story of Westside itself. The reliquary was made by Galway silversmith Richard Joyce – of Claddagh Ring fame – in 1723 to hold the reputed remains of St Ursula, a fourth-century British princess who, according to tradition, was martyred along with 11,000 female companions by the Huns while on a pilgrimage to Rome. Join Eóin Ó Néill, Collections Officer at Galway City Museum, as he shares the fascinating story of the reliquary and reveals what recent scientific research has uncovered about its contents.
Talk: Some Historic Buildings in Galway with Michael Scott
When: February 2nd, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum is hosting a series of educational talks at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, on the first Tuesday of each month from November 2026 to March 2027. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme explores different aspects of Galway’s rich history and heritage, from medieval pilgrimage and historic buildings to murder, mystery and the story of Westside itself. Galway, a modern city built on a medieval core, has many historic buildings and streets, not least Dominick Street Lower, one of Galway’s first suburbs. Join Michael Scott, Architectural Conservation Officer with Galway City Council, as he highlights the history of Dominick Street Lower and in particular No.45 and No.47, two of the finest examples of Georgian Galway.
Talk: Westside through History with William Henry
When: March 2nd, at 10.45am
Where: Westside Resource Centre
More information here
As part of its outreach programme, Galway City Museum is hosting a series of educational talks at Westside Resource Centre, Seamus Quirke Road, on the first Tuesday of each month from November 2026 to March 2027. Developed in response to the interests of the local community, the programme explores different aspects of Galway’s rich history and heritage, from medieval pilgrimage and historic buildings to murder, mystery and the story of Westside itself. Join local historian and author William Henry as he shares the stories of some of the notable people and places of Galway’s Westside, including Rahoon, Shantalla, Newcastle, and Dangan. Among other things, he will discuss the so-called Sliding Rock where Daniel O’Connell held a ‘monster meeting’ in June 1843.
Feature photo by Chaosheng Zhang
Published on Updated on
