The Galway City Night-Time Economy is set to celebrate the city’s vibrant night-time culture with a series of new, commissioned events for the inaugural Gaillimh Ah-Boo festival as part of Fáilte Ireland's Home of Halloween programme. Find out more here...
Designed to celebrate and enhance Galway's unique night-time experience, the Gaillimh Ah Boo programme features a dynamic lineup of participatory events that invite locals and visitors to actively engage with the city after dark. From spine-tingling street performances, a captivating procession celebrating our ancestors, to art installations in shop fronts, each event is crafted to be inclusive, creating a space for everyone to come together and celebrate the magic of Samhain.
Discover the full programme here
Amharc | to look, to see
Date: Friday October 24th – Sunday November 23rd
Time: 5:30 PM
Location: Multiple locations across the city
Galway City Council Night-Time Economy is delighted to present Amharc (meaning to look, to see), involving five art installations in shop fronts by renowned Irish artist Rita Duffy. Windows of businesses across the city will be transformed into miniature stage sets. A selection of windows will house ‘reanimated furniture’ as unique magical installations, and digital screens will present animated drawings. Just as the darkness of winter casts its chilly spell on Galway, we invite you to take a walk and find these beautifully lit ‘alternative shop’ windows. Each art work is its own surreal little theatre, celebrating the darkness, inviting the passerby to stop for a while and look.
Drawing inspiration from recent travels in South America and referencing diverse sources such as Dr. Caligari's Cabinet, Flemish altar paintings, traditional shrines, each window tells its own story. The eclectic mix of influences promises a unique aesthetic that blends theatre, visual art, and storytelling.
Amharc is a visual feast designed to enhance the city's streetscape by night and offer a fresh perspective on the themes of Samhain inspired by the history of Galway City. We invite you to explore the city by night and discover each of these magical, illuminated displays.
Galway City Council would like to extend thanks to the following businesses for their engagement, support, and partnership in making this project possible.
Locations:
AIB, Lynch's Castle, Shop St
Claddagh Credit Union, Mainguard St
Murphy's Ice Cream Shop, High St
Poblacht, William St West
Kai Restaurant, Sea Road
Amharc is presented as part of the Galway City Home of Halloween Programme, is funded by Galway City Council, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Fáilte Ireland.
Samhain Community Dance Spectacle: A Thriller in Eyre Square
Date: Thursday, October 30th
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Eyre Square
Get ready, Galway - the Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy is taking over Eyre Square with a spine-tingling community dance spectacle! In partnership with Galway City Council's Night-Time Economy, this event will bring Samhain to life with a spectacular reimagining of Michael Jackson’s legendary "Thriller" dance. This performance is a community ritual, weaving modern pop culture with the powerful magic of ancient Celtic folklore. As the veil between worlds thins at this ancient time, we invite Galway's residents, community groups, and dance schools to step into a space "out of time" and embody powerful figures from Irish folklore.
Who will you become? The fearsome Cailleach (The Divine Hag), the mischievous Púca, the chilling Banshee, or your own haunting creation?
More than just a dance, this is a vibrant, inclusive street spectacle that encourages everyone—dancers, families, residents, and visitors—to dress up and participate. The Genevieve Ryan Dance Academy has created easy-to-follow instructional videos so you can learn the moves ahead of time, and professional dancers will be on hand on the night to guide everyone through the routine. Whether you are a seasoned performer or a first-time mover, you'll be right at home.
This event is a fun, family-friendly way for the people of Galway City to come together and connect with the ancient, mystical heart of Samhain as part of the inaugural Gaillimh Ah-Boo, Galway City Home of Halloween Programme.
Learn the dance and join in, instructional video HERE.
The Samhain Community Dance Spectacle: A Thriller in Eyre Square, presented as part of the Galway City Home of Halloween Programme, is funded by Galway City Council, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport and Fáilte Ireland.
Samhain Procession | Día de los Muertos: Honouring and Welcoming Ancestors
Date: Sunday, November 2nd
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Streets of Galway City (details to be announced)
Come join us on the streets of Galway for a special procession that celebrates our ancestors! This vibrant event brings together three traditions: Samhain, Día de los Muertos, and All Souls' Day.
In partnership with the vibrant Mexican Community in Galway, Galway City Council Night-Time Economy is delighted to present this event as part of Gaillimh Ah-Boo. Led by the Mexican community, the procession will be a beautiful and colourful celebration filled with music, dance, and joy, honouring the shared reverence for ancestors at the heart of all three celebrations. It's a way for everyone—children, parents, and friends—to come together and celebrate the powerful bonds that connect us to our past, present, and future.
Samhain Procession | Día de los Muertos: Honouring and Welcoming Ancestors, presented as part of the Galway City Home of Halloween Programme, is funded by Galway City Council, the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, Creative Ireland and Fáilte Ireland.
Café Lates: Pumpkin Carving at Ré
Date: Monday October 27th
Time: 6-9PM
Location: Ré Coffee and Design, Salthill
More info and tickets here
Get ready for some Samhain fun in Salthill! Join Ré Coffee and Design for a Pumpkin Carving Competition you won't want to miss. Unleash your creativity and see if you have what it takes to carve the best pumpkin. You can enter the competition individually or team up with a friend. The Ré team will be awarding prizes for the best pumpkin, most creative design, and most innovative design.
Don't worry about bringing any supplies— carving tools and pumpkins will be provided.
While you're carving, enjoy some special festive drinks and delicious snacks, available for purchase all evening.
This is a ticketed event, with tickets priced at €10 and available via Eventbrite.
Please note places are limited and suitable for 18+ years only.
This event is part of the Galway City Café Lates Initiative, an initiative proudly funded by Galway City Council and the Department of Culture, Communications, and Sport.
