As the veil thins and Samhain approaches, Dublin is set to transform into a carnival of gothic spectacle and spooky celebration. The highlight of the city’s Halloween festivities is the breathtaking return of the Macnas Parade, part of the wider Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival.
If you’re looking for a mix of world-class spectacle and community fun that won’t cost a cent, here is your guide to the best free events in the capital this haunting weekend and on Halloween night.
The Macnas Parade: An Treun – The Summoning of the Lost
Prepare to be mesmerised as the world-renowned spectacle makers, Macnas, take to the streets of Dublin for their unforgettable annual nighttime procession.
- When: Sunday, November 2, 2025, at 7:00 PM.
- Where: Starting and weaving through the North East Inner City, around Mountjoy Square. The route includes Great Denmark Street, Gardiner Place, Gardiner Street, and Seán McDermott Street.
- Cost: FREE for all spectators.
This year’s parade, titled An Treun – The Summoning of the Lost, draws inspiration from a long-lost tale by Dracula author Bram Stoker, weaving an ecological fable and a haunting dreamscape into a spectacular outdoor performance. Expect massive, signature Macnas puppets, striking costumes, live music, and otherworldly enchantment.
The Macnas Parade and Free Dublin Halloween Events
| Event Name | Date & Time | Location | Description | Link |
| Finglas Fright Night | Fri, Oct 31 (5 PM–9 PM) | Finglas Civic Centre, D11 | Carnival thrills with rides, music, face painters, and a fireworks display. Sensory Hour: 5 PM–6 PM. | More info |
| Darndale Together After Dark | Fri, Oct 31 (4 PM–7 PM) | Darndale Belcamp Village Centre, D17 | Features a Cabaret, haunted house, lantern procession, and a fireworks display at 7:00 PM. | More info |
| Crumlin Halloween Festival | Fri, Oct 31 (12 PM–4 PM) | Eamonn Ceannt Park, D12 | Family-friendly fun with a ghost train, live music, face painting, and magical activities. | More info |
| D10 Halloween Festival | Fri, Oct 31 (Various times) | Ballyfermot (Various locations), D10 | BMX displays, Zombie Run, haunted house at Bluebell Youth Centre (2 PM–5:30 PM), and fireworks. | More info |
| Scare in the Square | Fri, Oct 31 (4 PM–8 PM) | Pearse Square Park, D2 | Carnival games, spooky DJ, face painting, and a haunted maze. Quiet Session: 4 PM–4:30 PM. | More info |
| Otherworld Halloween Festival | Fri, Oct 31 (6 PM–9 PM) | Trinity Comprehensive School Grounds, D9 | Funfair rides, circus acts, live music, and a dazzling fireworks finale in Ballymun. | More info |
| The Haunted Harbour at The Hub | Fri, Oct 31 (5 PM–8 PM) | The Digital Hub, D8 | Ghostly pirates, skeleton crews, and spooky scares as St. Patrick’s Tower is transformed. Free, no booking required. | More info |
| Fatima’s House of Horrors | Fri, Oct 31 (3 PM–7 PM) | F2 Centre, D8 | A house of horrors experience for the brave, part of the wider Dublin 8 Halloween events. | More info |
| Dockers & Demons Festival | Oct 20–31 (Various times) | Ringsend & Irishtown (Various), D4 | A multi-day festival with haunted houses, parades, and a Big Top circus tent on Oct 30 & 31. | More info |
| Macnas Parade: An Treun | Sun, Nov 2 (7:00 PM) | North East Inner City, D1 | The spectacular annual night parade with giant puppets, music, and performance art. | More info |
