There is only one thing on children's minds this weekend - and it's not that there are only nine Saturdays until Christmas. (Sorry!)
Anyway, we have already published a guide to the different events and activities around Ireland over Halloween. You can check it out here: 52 things to do this Halloween in Ireland.
Below, we tried to include other ideas for other things to do over the weekend if pumpkin patches and poltergeists are not your thing.
Whatever you decide to do, just remember on Monday there will only be eight Saturdays left!
Have fun!
1) Westival | Westport Arts Festival
The 43rd Westival runs for six days from Wednesday, 24th October to Monday, 29th October and offers selection of events and activities to appeal to all ages and tastes.
Westival takes pride in being an Autumnal-Halloween-festival of comfort, and many of the events take place during the long evenings, around open hearths of softly-lit rooms, or during dusk where the imagination can play part in interpreting the world with magic and intrigue.
2) Roolaboola Children's Arts Festival
RoolaBoola, Children’s Arts Festival in Castlebar runs from 24th - 29th October and features top theatre, film, visual art and workshops for children and their families including clown workshop, mini-monster print-making, dicing with storytelling, Nation Creation workshop, and shows "How to Catch a Star", "Pink and Blue" and more.
3) Cork Jazz Festival
The October Bank Holiday weekend in Cork can only mean one thing! The Cork Jazz festival headline acts include Blind Boys of Alabama, China Moses, the Stanley Clarke Band and everything from ska to swing, jazz to brass.
4) Savour Kilkenny
Savour Kilkenny returns to the medieval city for four days of foodie heaven from 25th - 29th October with culinary delights, interactive demos and masterclasses with award-winning chefs, quirky dining events, beer and wine tasting, live entertainment, and, of course, a bustling market!
5) Funderland, Belfast
The Titanic Quarter will again host the annual Funderland event in Belfast until November 4th, with all the usual thrills and spills to keep everyone entertained.
6) Dead Interesting Tours
A new tour in Glasnevin Cemetery takes in an alternative view of the varied heritage and the history within its walls. With lesser known stories of extraordinary lives and extraordinary events, this is the secret history of Ireland’s most well-known cemetery. Tours at 1pm on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday.
7) Belfast International Arts Festival
Belfast International Arts Festival runs until November 3rd with world-class programme of theatre, performance art, visual art, dance and music. Events this weekend include Handle with Care, a free, fun-packed street show for all the family in Falls Park on Saturday and CS Lewis Square on Sunday.
8) Féile Samhain at Hook Lighthouse
Hear about the age-old traditions from the gathered druids as the 800-year-old Hook Lighthouse celebrates the festival of Samhain with tales, pumpkin carving and guided tours that are lit only by lanterns.
9) Aisling Children's Arts Festival
The 20th annual festival celebrating the arts in Longford concludes this weekend with Comedy Club 4 Kids, Little Folk with Kyle and arts & crafts workshops in the Temperance Hall on Saturday including Tin Foil Robots & Paper Monsters, DIY Trick Or Treat Bag, Hairy Scary Eyeballs and more.
10) Connemara Sea Week
Conamara Sea Week celebrates the wonderful marine heritage of Connemara with music workshops, art exhibitions, concerts, talks, walks, children’s activities, sports events and more. The festival concludes this weekend with live music, trad sessions, demo & tasting at Artisan House, the Connemara Sea Week community dinner and more.
11) Axis Ballymun
I AM BABA is a theatre adventure for babies with a magical adventure of song, lights and textures for babies aged 0-12 months inside a specially designed tent that holds just 6 babies – each with their adult guest. There are three free shows this Saturday morning in the Axis Arts Centre, but booking in advance is essential.
12) Imagine Arts Festival
The 17th annual festival concludes this weekend with more live performances, exhibitions and music in Waterford City.
13) Thurles Halloween Arts Festival
The 11th annual Thurles Halloween Arts Festival runs until October 31st with movies, dance, workshops, camps, fireworks, Reco the Magician, Jack Wise’s Street Show, live music from Paul Brady and lots more.
14) Wexford Fringe Festival
Wexford Fringe is a vibrant annual festival of music, art, drama and culture with something for everybody, offering an eclectic mix of over 300 events over 17 days including cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, and visual art, many of which are free to attend.
15) Bosco & Snow White
After starring on Irish TV for years, Bosco is still a firm favourite with every new generation. This Sunday your family can enjoy the story of Snow White through an interactive and live experience in the Pavilion Theatre.
16) Dowth Point-to-Point & Country Fair
Fun bank holiday family day out on Sunday with a promise of great racing, country fair exhibits, artisan food, free family fun and a shopping village in a celebration of the best of country life and hospitality.
Three things to do next week:
1) Tradoodle | Sligo
Events include Deep Sea Shadow Puppetry Workshop, Feel to the Beat sean-nós dancing, Under the Sea session, A Winter's Wish and The Wonderful Tune.
2) Wild Lights
Wild Lights returns to Dublin Zoo next until 6th January with a magical night-time spectacular event, featuring giant colourful lanterns and illuminated animal sculptures inspired by wildlife.
3) CS Lewis Festival
CS Lewis was born in Belfast and the festival showcases his diverse works and strong connections to his childhood home. Through a series of events and activities including talks, film, theatre, arts, crafts, readings, music, workshops, exhibitions, tours and literature - everyone is invited to open the wardrobe door to the world of C.S. Lewis.
YourDaysOut is a sales and marketing platform for local businesses and event organisers with tools to help promote, publish and sell tickets and bookings online, for up to 50% less that other ticket sites. It is also No.1 in Ireland for people looking for things to do, where users can FOLLOW their favourite business pages and get notifications about any offers, events and buy tickets for Halloween or Christmas.
