Galway's event calendar is absolutely bursting with events and festivals all year long! So, to help you make the most of what’s going on, we’ve put together a must-read guide featuring the top 15 events you won’t want to miss this month. From family-friendly events to live entertainment, there’s something for everyone - so dive in and start planning your next great Galway experience right here..
Below is just a snippet of everything Galway has to offer event-wise in the month ahead. If you would like a full list of all the wonderful events Galway has on, please check out our website at; https://thisisgalway.ie/events/.
Galway Comedy Festival
When: October 20th -26th
Where: Galway City + County
More information here
Halloween in Galway is ‘Comedy Christmas’ as Galway Comedy Festival returns for the October Bank Holiday, taking over the City with a bumper line-up spanning international headliners, Irish comedy greats, and the best emerging talent on the circuit. Tommy Tiernan, Emma Doran, Dara Ó Briain, Deirdre O’Kane, Rhys Darby, Mike Wozniak, Serena Terry, Jack Dee, Georgie Carroll, Al Porter, David McSavage, and Emer Maguire lead the laughter at #GCF26 and you're not going to want to miss a second of it! With 60 shows across 14 venues over 7 days and nights, and tickets going on sale at 10am this Wednesday 16th September, it’s time to start planning your annual week of ‘carefully curated craic’. Discover the full lineup at the link above and get booking your seats!!
Galway Cartoon Festival
When: October 1st - 6th
Where: Galway City
More information here
Galway Cartoon Festival will mark its 10th anniversary this October and this year’s theme is ‘Having a Laugh’. Ireland’s festival for cartoons and cartoonists celebrates its survival with some great events everyone can take part in, whether you’re an aspiring artist or just out for fun. Coming to the Festival is the brilliant Glenn Marshall of Private Eye, who will recreate the Wooden Horse of Troy; Galway’s favourite Guardian stalwart Martin Rowson returns with one of his great stand-up performances; and there will be expert drawing workshops for adults and children. This 10th festival is also bringing guests from Belgium, Europe’s spiritual home of comic art. The European Cartoon Centre will present a history of Belgian art told through cartoons, while leading French satirist Nicolas Vadot – who contributed to the very first Galway Cartoon Festival poster design – will talk about his career in television, animation, and editorial cartooning. Additionally, a special celebratory exhibition at the Galway City Museum is set to look back over the highlights of the first ten years, as the Festival grew from just a single exhibition into the feast of activities, exhibitions, and extraordinary guests it is today - the only event of its kind in Ireland. Check out the full programme and then make sure to come and have a laugh at Galway Cartoon Festival 2026.
Macnas’ Halloween Parade
When: October 25th
Where: Streets of Galway City
More information here
Get ready for a wild Samhain as Macnas celebrates its 40th anniversary with Fiáin, a Halloween spectacle that’s set to transform the streets of Galway City. Pronounced fee-awn, Fiáin is a celebration of the wild - from the untamed landscapes and elements of the West of Ireland to the wild inspirations that have shaped Macnas’ extraordinary work over the past four decades. This year, the parade is only the beginning of an exciting 40th anniversary programme of celebratory projects and events, honouring Macnas’ remarkable creative legacy while looking towards the future. So, save the date and prepare to experience Halloween at its most spectacular, unpredictable and wild. Fiáin is coming.
above: photo by emjcamera
Gaillimh Ah-Boo!
When: the month of October
Where: Galway City
More information here
Building on the success of its inaugural year, Gaillimh Ah-Boo! is back and better than ever! As part of Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Destination Development Scheme, this year’s programme is even more diverse, capturing the vibrant atmosphere and unique cultural backdrop of Galway City. The season marks an extra-special milestone for the city’s arts landscape, celebrating both Macnas’s 40th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children. From spine-tingling street spectacles to immersive sound and light installations, Gaillimh Ah-Boo! invites locals and visitors alike to experience Halloween in its authentic, original form, rooted in folklore, feasting, and fire. Visit the link above to see what spooky delights await!
Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
When: October 9th -18th
Where: Galway City
More information here
For decades, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children has been bringing theatre, dance, music, circus, literature and art to young audiences across Galway, and this October, the much-loved festival is celebrating its 30th anniversary. This milestone year promises more than 60 arts experiences, with artists and performers travelling from Ireland and across Europe. Alongside family performances, the 2026 programme includes dedicated events for schools, helping to ensure that as many children as possible can experience high-quality live arts. The festival also features performances for children with additional needs, creative workshops, art exhibitions, free pop-up events and even a number of events for adults. The magic of Baboró isn’t confined to the theatres and galleries! Throughout the festival, keep an eye out for free pop-up events appearing in locations around Galway City. This October, Galway once again belongs to its youngest members, so head into the city, explore, create and see what you discover.
above: illustration by Shona Shirley Macdonald
Rocky Horror Disco Dinner
When: October 23rd
Where: HYDE Bar
More information here
Step into a world of glitter, fishnets, fabulous costumes and Halloween mischief at HYDE Bar, for an unforgettable disco dinner inspired by some of the legendary spooky musicals! Your ticket includes an ample picky bits dinner and a complimentary cocktail served at HYDE Bar while talented live performers bring the room to life with spooktacular vocals and audience interaction. Expect a celebration of timeless spooky musical favourites from Addams Family, Heathers, Rocky Horror and more! Come dressed to impress—glam, gothic, outrageous, or completely original—and get ready for a night of and celebration.
Niamh Regan Live
When: October 3rd
Where: Little Lane Coffee Bonham Quay
More information here
Join Little Lane Bonham Quay as they proudly present Galway’s very own folk artist Niamh Regan supported by All Thumbs. It’s been awhile since we’ve enjoyed the music of Niamh Regan live in Galway, so this is definitely not a gig you want to miss! Get your tickets asap, as limited space is available. All ticket holders will enjoy a complimentary beverage of their choice.
above: photo by Katya Kaushan
HopeSpace x Wildlands Wellness Fundraiser
When: October 1st
Where: Widlands
More information here
Join Wildlands for a very special evening of wellness, connection and community with proceeds going directly to support HopeSpace Children’s Grief Support Service. Across three hours, you’ll experience Breathwork & Meditation with Deirdre Hurley, Pilates with Orla McHale, EFT Tapping with Caroline Fitzgerald, a Sound Bath with Maria Browne, and group Bio Energy Healing with Ruth Kelly including complimentary refreshments on arrival and time to connect. Whether you come to nourish your own wellbeing, honour someone you love or simply support an incredible cause, your presence will make a meaningful difference.
October Sunflower Sessions
When: October 3rd + 4th
Where: Massimo + The Blue Note
More information here
The Sunflower Sessions’ Music & Market is back at Massimo Bar this October! Expect a mix of vibrant local vendors selling a mix of crafts, clothing, prints and artwork. Sunflower project merch will be available as well. Donations are welcome at the door. If you miss them on that day, join them the next day in The Blue Note, where from 7.30pm they’ll have live music from The Works, Infidel, and Túr Balor. €5 base donation at door. All donations will go towards funding care packages for young people in eating disorder treatment during the Christmas period, with any extra proceeds supporting Bodywhys.
above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Louise O'Neill in Conversation with Catherine Doyle
When: October 7th
Where: Kennys Bookshop
More information here
Award-winning Irish author Louise O’Neill will be at Kennys Bookshop, joining author Catherine Doyle in conversation about A Bigger Life, her upcoming memoir. Part memoir, part manifesto, A Bigger Life is a candid, courageous exploration of modern womanhood, sexual freedom, and the myths we’re sold about what makes a life worthwhile. It’s about embracing uncertainty, finding joy after heartbreak, and creating space for the version of yourself that doesn’t play small. Louise invites us to laugh, wince, and reflect as she asks the question at the heart of the book: What does it really mean to live a bigger life?
Sustainable Living Skills Day
When: October 11th
Where: Brigit’s Garden
More information here
Visit Brigit’s Garden for more creative, inspiring and practical hands-on skill building that helps us all live more sustainably – each taught by expert tutors. Workshops include; Willow Basket Weaving with Thomas Delaney, Dry Stone Wall Building with Fergus Packman, Living Willow Structures with Maria Buitenhuis, Autumn Foraging with Olwyn Williams, Natural Fibre Cordage with Carol Barrett and Growing Native Trees from Seed with Saul Mosbacher. Early booking for all workshops is advised.
Hadestown: The Musical
When: October 13th + 18th
Where: EYE Cinema
More information here
The international hit musical comes to the big screen! Winner of eight Tony Awards in 2019 including Best Musical and the 2020 Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album, Hadestown: The Musical is the genre-defying musical blending modern American folk music with New Orleans-inspired jazz to reimagine a sweeping ancient tale of two intertwining love stories, that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and King Hades and his wife Persephone. Filmed live on stage in London’s West End and featuring the original Broadway stars, Hadestown: The Musical invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back.
Le Chéile with Clodagh Wade & Hilary Morley
When: October 19th
Where: Daróg Wine Bar
More information here
Each of Daróg Wine Bar’s Le Chéile gatherings bring artists and guests together for relaxed, thoughtful conversation centred around creativity, place and storytelling. For this edition, exhibiting artists Hilary Morley & Clodagh Wade join Edel Lukács in conversation to discuss their joint exhibition “Points of Viewing”, currently on display in Daróg. Alongside the talk, guests will enjoy a guided tasting of two wines selected specially for the evening, with time to explore the exhibition, meet the artist, and browse a curated pop-up art shop featuring original works and prints.
Autumnal Candle Making & Cocktails
When: October 15th
Where: Tom Sheridans Bar & Restaurant
More information here
Craft your own custom-made candle, as you sip on cocktails & enjoy sweet treats, giveaways & girlie fun! Led by Blackthorn Candles, you’ll be guided every step of the way in creating your cocktail candle with plenty of time to chat with friends and enjoy a drink or three! There will be giveaways too and some surprises to look forward to on the night, with your ticket including a welcome cocktail on arrival, a candle-making class, sweet treats, platters of sharing food, giveaways & prizes. This event is in partnership with Ketel One Vodka.
Spectacular Connemara Photography Workshop
When: Check in October 21st for a 4-night stay
Where: Clifden Station House Hotel
More information here
If you’re a photography enthusiast eager to enhance your skills and capture the mesmerising beauty of Ireland, this event is for you. Immerse yourself in the art of photography during this exclusive expedition, led by the esteemed professional landscape photographer Gareth McCormack. Throughout the course, you’ll embark on a breathtaking adventure, exploring some of Connemara’s most captivating locations that will leave you awe-inspired. The daily itinerary will be decided by Gareth based around the conditions, but with so many incredible vistas around you there are boundless options; whether you’re witnessing the enchanting reflections of Pine Island dancing on the serene waters of Derryclare Lough, capturing the intricate rock and sand formations adorning the stunning Glassilaun Beach or finding yourself mesmerized by the turquoise waters of Dog’s Bay you won’t be disappointed. Join them for an unforgettable few days of photography, learning, and camaraderie in one of Ireland’s most picturesque regions. Let your creativity soar and capture moments that will stay with you forever.
Main photo courtesy by Chaosheng Zhang
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