As the October Bank Holiday weekend looms closer, we want to guarantee you have a terrifyingly great long weekend here in Galway. With fancy dress parties, an incredible parade through town, Galway Comedy Festival and so much more! Check out our list below to discover some spooky ways to celebrate your Halloween Bank Holiday Weekend..
Galway Comedy Festival
As the highly loved Galway Comedy Festival hits its final few days in the City of Tribes. There is going to be no end of hilarious shows and standup jokes to keep you all entertained. Full programme and tickets available here; https://www.galwaycomedyfestival.ie. The weekend of the comedy festival will see a host of comedians take to the stage across Galway city including; Jessica Collins, Karl Spain, Rich Hall, The Dirty Circus, Phill Jupitus, Seann Walsh, Elena Gabrielle, Deirdre O'Kane and many many more!
Macnas Parade 2023
After years without it, we are truly delighted to see that the world class Macnas parade is returning to the streets of Galway this Halloween Bank Holiday Sunday. With a new artistic director at the helm, James Riordan, this year’s parade promises to bring a new myth to life. The title of this year’s parade is ‘Cnamha La Loba.’ Cnamha, meaning bones in Irish, and the story of La Loba being derived from Slavic and South American folklore. Check our interview with James in our new This is Galway magazine online or in print now. Read it here.
above: photo by Ciarán Mac Choncarraige, photo from Macnas 2018
Cooley-Collins Traditional Music Festival
Taking place in Gort over the Bank Holiday weekend Friday until Monday 30th, this year's Cooley-Collins festival marks its 39th anniversary and this year it is going to be better than ever. The year’s festival features; Céilí dancing, music performances by the Slieve Aughty Band, Rhythm & Sticks, trad music sessions by local musicians, P.J. Hernon’s album launch and more as well as the U15 Cooley Collins Cup Music Competition. Check out the full programme here.
Wildlands Launch Brand New Activity!
The brand new Nets Adventure Courses is launching this Saturday at Wildlands. Get ready to soar above the treetops, compete in thrilling challenges, and create unforgettable memories with your family and friends. With two courses available- Net Adventure (4 years to adult) and Net Adventure Junior (walker to 4 years old). Whether you're a daredevil seeking thrills or a family looking for a day of adventure, there's something here for everyone. Book your adventure today and let the nets carry you to new heights! Book your tickets in advance of their launch here.
Solve-Along-a Murder She Wrote
The cult hit event Solve-Along-A-Murder-She-Wrote comes to Pálás Cinema on Oct 29th, with an interactive screening of a classic Murder, She Wrote episode. This unique and hilarious night features games, prizes and audience participation! In “Broadway Malady” Jessica Fletcher heads to New York City but soon gets caught up in a murder mystery only she (or you!) can solve! Book your tickets here.
Orchard Thieves Cube at Taylor's Bar & Beer Garden
The Cube is returning to Taylor’s Bar & Beer Garden this October 29th from 5.30pm. Taylor’s are hosting an exciting event with their good friends over at Orchard Thieves. Play the game and be in with a chance to win some amazing prizes, free pints and more! Enjoy live music, complementary pints and giveaways, don’t miss it. For more information please tap here.
Halloween weekend at Galway City Distillery
From 3pm on Saturday, head over to Galway City Distillery for Planet Retro's costume closet pop-up shop and get your winning Halloween costume! They'll also have a fashion show on at 4pm so you can get some last minute inspo if you need it. Get ready for an incredible Halloween Bash in a stunning venue - Galway City Distillery with Celtic Chaos. Joining them on the night is their very special guest the legendary Christopher Coe. You know the drill bring your alter egos, fancy dress, rave sticks. keep ‘er lit! Get your tickets here.
Waking Nightmares at Pálás Cinema
Drawing audiences attention to decade responsible for the birth of modern horror, Pálás Cinema are screening some terror-inducing films from the 1970s on the run up to Halloween night. The 1970s was the decade of global crisis, trauma, resistance, and rebellion. This explosive social and political culture fuelled our collective nightmares and inspired a new generation of filmmakers to channel their spirit of rage and revolution into a new era of modern horror. This autumn Pálás unleashes a programme of Halloween horror films that changed the genre as we know it. Over the Halloween weekend they are showing; House, Young Frankenstein, The Crazies and Halloween. Get your tickets here.
above: Artwork by Conor Merriman
Talk & Display at Galway City Museum
The Keepers of the Gael at Galway City Museum explores Gaelic society and culture in Ireland between 1200 and 1600, a period of struggle and conflict bookended by the Anglo-Norman invasion and the Tudor conquest. From 11am to 1pm, join Dave Swift of Claíomh (‘sword’ in the Irish language) Living History for this special display of the weapons, armour, clothing, and equipment of the Gaelic Irish of the type used in their struggle to maintain control of their ancestral lands and way of life. Dave will show and demonstrate the material culture of the period, share stories, and welcome any questions. From 2pm, Dave will then discuss medieval warfare in Ireland and shares the material culture (weapons, armour, clothing, and equipment) and stories of the Gaelic Irish as they struggled to maintain control of their ancestral lands and way of life. To get your free ticket to this event, please tap here.
Halloween Costume Party at Buskers Brownes
This Halloween Night, it's time to join the fun at Busker Brownes and be in for the chance to win big! Best costume prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places are €150, €100 and €50 respectively. It's going to be a night with all your favourite songs, and live performances from Vicaria Band, not to mention all of the amazing spot prizes which will be up for grabs all night long!! Do not miss it! Discover it all here.
Bottomless Prosecco ABBAnoon Tea at Lough Rea Hotel & Spa
Introducing a brand new way to shake up your autumn with a new bottomless prosecco afternoon tea at Lough Rea Hotel & Spa. Enjoy a full spread of sweet and savoury treats over a very special afternoon tea, all whilst you sing and dance along to an on-stage tribute to ABBA. ‘Mamma Mia Band’ will perform LIVE whilst our guests relish two hours of bottomless prosecco. Prosecco, Nosecco & non-alcoholic juices available. For more information and to get your tickets please tap here.
Family Friendly Fun at EYE Cinema
Ghouls, ghosts and goblins young or old are in for a treat when visiting the EYE Cinema this Friday to Tuesday! Their list of screenings include: ‘How to Save the Immortal’ (PG), the perfectly on-topic for this season ‘The Canterville Ghost’ (PG), the colourful ‘Trolls Band Together’ (G), the ever-so-popular ‘Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ (G) and more. For the more grown-up and braver cinema going souls, check out the ‘Retro Creeps Movie Season’ featuring luxury screenings of ‘The Rocky Horror Picture Show’ (1975) and ‘The Shining’ (1980) both back on the big screen for a limited time only from Friday. Alternatively, there's the much awaited ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’ (15A), Liam Neeson in ‘Retribution’ and Michael Fassbender in ‘The Killer’ both out this weekend. To make this October Bank Holiday weekend a freaky good one, EYE Cinema are offering 10% off popcorn and cinema snacks to those trick-or-treaters coming in sporting their Halloween costumes across the weekend. Free face-painting will also be available on Halloween dat from 11am to 1.30pm to get everyone ready for their evening shenanigans after the cinema. For more information please check out their website here.
above: photo by Ciarán MacChoncarraige
Race in Pink 2023
The annual Race in Pink is back this Sunday 29th in the Ballybrit Racecourse to raise vital funds for The National Breast Cancer Research Institute. Your ticket includes: admission ticket to the race track, hospitality badge, a drinks reception, a 4 course lunch with wine, live music, a celebrity MC and horse racing tipster. Get your tickets here.
Jazz Performances at Queen Street
Jazz is the name of the game this Sunday at Queen Street. Get ready for back to back performances from 2pm right up until the late hour of 11pm with Tobi Kaye, DJ & Sax. Jazz is best enjoyed with delicious food so try out of Queen Street's signature menu items as well as their delicious cocktails while you sway away to quality jazz tunes. For more information on Queen Street's Jazz Sundays please tap here.
Howling Halloween at Brigit's Garden + Samhain Evening
Samhain is all a-go at Brigit's Garden and there's loads for the whole family to enjoy. Get ready for the Ghastly Ghouls’ Treasure Hunt, Spooky Storytelling with Rab Fulton, and Notion & Potions with the Wacky Witch. This is all part of their Howling Halloween event which runs on Sunday and Monday, tickets for which are available here. On Sunday night from 7.30pm, you are warmly invited to join Brigit’s Garden for a special gathering to mark the festival of Samhain – a candlelit evening, mainly indoors with some time around the fire outdoors (weather permitting). They will share stories and songs of Samhain and relax with a meditation; reflect on what you need to let go of and what you wish to call in over the winter season; and they will honour our ancestors and those that have passed, and drum around the fire. For more information on this, please tap here.
above: Brigit's Garden
Paint & Prosecco at Queen Street
Round up your pals and enjoy an afternoon of guided painting and bubbles to brighten up the winter evenings! Included in the price of your ticket is everything you need- all the art equipment (apron, easel, paints, paintbrushes plus a canvas that you get to take home with you!), step by step instruction with a local artist as well as 2 glasses of prosecco! (or a non-alcoholic drink if you prefer). Get your tickets here.
Nine Crows Pop Up
For the first time in years, Nine Crows Vintage will be back in Galway for one day only! This Friday from 12pm to 4pm, find them at The Galway Rowing Club and shop from a range of 1000 handpicked vintage and secondhand items. To matters even better everything is under €30. They'll have clothing for men, women, unisex as well as accessories. Entry is free, please bring your own shopping bag on the day, and please note that both cash and card are accepted. To learn more about Nine Crows check out their Instagram here.
Harryween Disco Brunch at HYDE Bar
This Sunday 29th, HYDE Bar is transforming into Harry’s House! That’s right, they’ll be hosting their very own Harryween Disco Brunch sponsored by Bacardi Caribbean Spiced Rum at their chic Galway city-centre spot – and you’re invited. It promises to be a flamboyant party, and you’re welcome to dress up to really get into the carnival spirit of this unique occasion. On the day, you’ll enjoy a main course brunch and two Bacardi Caribbean Spiced Rum cocktails to really add to the experience. So, get that Danny Zuko look, make yourself up like Dorothy Gale, wear a ragdoll costume – and get creative for the unmissable Harryween Disco Brunch. Tickets available here.
DNA presents Halloween Haunted House Party
DNA Nightclub are transforming the space into a spooktacular haunted festival this Halloween Night! Dance the night away to all the thrilling classic and don’t forget to dress up as DNA have loads of prizes to giveaway.. including Cash, VIP Tickets, Platinum Cards, Bar Tabs and more! Get your entry ticket right here.
Halloween Party at McGettigan's all Weekend
Ahead of the long weekend, McGettigan's have put together a frightfully good lineup for your few days off. Kicking off your weekend on Thursday night with live music from special guest Brazilian singer and band from 8pm. On Friday it's game night with both a pool killer tournament and music bingo. On Saturday and Sunday, get ready for some spooky cocktails and spooky costumes as there will be €500 worth of prizes to be won. Then to celebrate student race days, it's 50% off the drinks menu on Monday and Tuesday! With live music and DJs everyday, you are not going to want to miss this. Stay tuned for anymore updates here.
Halloween Fancy Dress Party + Absent 012: The Absent Chainsaw Massacre at The Cellar
If you like to get fancy (dressed) and win some cash, you need to be at The Cellar Bar this October 29th! As it's time for their annual Halloween Fancy Dress Party and everyone is invited to come along and be in for the chance to win big!! With €200 up for grabs, do not miss it! Jam with ‘Shoot The Waters’ & groove the night away with DJ Gilly till late. Runner-up prizes await too. Dare to join them? On Halloween night, it’s time for the the Absent Chainsaw Massacre! This will be their Halloween night special, and they'll will be having a giveaway to best costume on the night. Get your tickets here.
above: photo by Saksham Gangwar on Unsplash
The Black Gate presents: Síomha
Síomha announces: ‘Infinite Space Reimagined’ EP and Tour for Autumn 2023 with a show in Galway’s Irish language theatre, An Taibhdhearc on Saturday 28th. A follow up to her critically acclaimed and ambitious debut album ‘Infinite Space’, the EP will feature reimagined versions of songs from the album, exploring alternate sonic universes and allowing the listener see beyond the songs as they thought they knew them. The E.P features some very special guests as well as some stripped-back renditions of songs. This night is going to be unforgettable so get your tickets here and don’t miss it.
Runaway Club Presents: Halloween w/ High Fidelity
If you are feeling brave enough this Halloween night, Join Seven Bar as they host one of Ireland’s most skilled DJ’s: High Fidelity. Having made a reputation for himself for his versatility and technical skills behind the decks, they are thrilled to have him play for us this Halloween. His skills have earned him some high profile gigs and sold out headline shows this year! There will be prizes on the night for best costumes! On support its Runaway Club’s finest: Oisín Cullen & Sam Knight. Get your tickets here.
A Modern Movement: Halloween Special at Áras na nGael
On Sunday night, head on over to Áras na nGael for a spooky surprise as A Modern Movement returns for their 18th show and this one is a special Halloween get together, so fancy dress is essential!! Featuring an amazing lineup with Bury Me With My Money, Rural Savage, Wren Boy and Back to Winnipeg, get your tickets here asap! Costumes will be mandatory and expected, get creative people!
Activities for your Family October Midterm
If you're busy trying to conjure up ways to keep the little ones entertained throughout the October midterm, we've got just the thing for you! We’ve put together a list of fun activities to enjoy with the whole family so dust off those monster masks and get ready to have some spectacular fun this October 30th to November 3rd.. Read all our recommendations here.
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