Celebrating the spooky season in Ireland, the birthplace of Halloween? If Dublin’s bustling crowds feel overwhelming, head to Galway! From haunted tours to thrilling festivals and parades, Galway transforms into a spooky wonderland, welcoming visitors of all ages with an exciting array of events and activities.
Whether you’re a family looking for a fun-filled day out, a thrill-seeker ready for a mysterious adventure, or someone who just loves the festive spirit, Halloween in Galway has something for everyone.
1. Macnas Halloween Parade
The legendary Macnas Halloween Parade is an unmissable highlight of Galway’s Halloween festivities. Known for its imaginative, large-scale street theatre, the Macnas Parade is a visual spectacle that brings the city to life with giant puppet creations, performers in eerie costumes, and atmospheric lighting. The parade weaves through Galway’s narrow streets, attracting thousands of onlookers.
For the 2024 Halloween Bank Holiday, Macnas presents Turas Alf (Alf’s Journey), featuring a breathtaking 20-meter long, 5-meter high giant newt named Alf. This grand spectacle, inspired by themes of climate change and habitat loss, will take over Eyre Square for the weekend of October 26–27 at 6-8 PM. Alf will lead a spectacular parade through the streets before heading to The Claddagh for a grand finale.
2. Galway Aboo Halloween Festival
The Galway Aboo Halloween Festival is one of the biggest Halloween events in the city and runs for several days leading up to October 31st. This festival takes over the Latin Quarter, transforming it into a lively Halloween wonderland for locals and visitors of all ages. Expect elaborate street performances, live music, costume parades, themed floats, and more, celebrating both the playful and haunting sides of Halloween.
To make the most of your Halloween celebrations, consider staying in a central hotel in Galway City or near Eyre Square and Latin Quarter, where most events take place.
3. Haunted Galway Walking Tours
Love ghost stories and history? Explore the eerie past of Galway with the Haunted Walking Tour. Led by an experienced guide, discover the chilling history behind the city’s most haunted locations such as Forthill Cemetery, Lynch’s Memorial Window, The Kings Head, and Galway Cathedral.
Uncover tales of murder, executions, mysterious disappearances, and other spine-tingling events that have left their mark on Galway’s history. Brace yourself as you explore the graveyards, narrow alleyways, and hidden spots where the ghosts were said to linger. The tour lasts for 1.5 hours… unless you plan to retreat from fear!
4. Visit Galway’s spooky landmarks
Galway’s rich history and medieval architecture give the city a naturally spooky vibe during Halloween. A visit to some of Galway’s most famous landmarks can feel even more mysterious when viewed through a Halloween lens.
- Medieval Quarter: Galway’s Medieval Quarter provides the perfect backdrop for Halloween celebrations. The narrow cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and ancient landmarks take on a haunted feel as the city embraces the spirit of the season. Many local businesses, cafes, and pubs decorate for Halloween, creating a festive and eerie ambiance.
- Lynch’s Castle: One of the oldest buildings in Galway, Lynch’s Castle is not only a piece of history but also the source of eerie tales. The Lynch family’s infamous role in Galway’s past and the legends surrounding their rule make this spot one to visit during Halloween. Don’t miss the Lynch Memorial Window, a stone facade that adorns the side of St. Nicholas’ Collegiate Church. As legend has it, in 1493 the town’s mayor hung his son from this window for murdering a visitor.
- The Claddagh Cemetery: For a truly spine-chilling experience, visit The Claddagh Cemetery, located just outside the city center. As one of the oldest graveyards in Galway, it is filled with history, and its aged tombstones and dark paths provide a perfect setting for those seeking a spooky stroll.
5. Escape rooms and interactive horror experiences
If you’re looking for more interactive thrills, Galway offers a variety of escape rooms and immersive horror experiences during Halloween.
- Claustrophobia Galway Escape Rooms: Offering several themed escape rooms, Claustrophobia Galway adds special Halloween scenarios during the spooky season. Work with a team to solve puzzles and escape the room before time runs out — it’s a thrilling activity that’s sure to get your adrenaline pumping.
- Haunted House Experiences: Some of the buildings in the Medieval Quarter are transformed into haunted houses, offering interactive experiences for visitors. These spooky walkthroughs are designed to give you a good scare, with actors, special effects, and plenty of unexpected frights.
6. Halloween costume parties and pub crawls
Galway’s nightlife is legendary, and during Halloween, the city’s pubs and clubs host some of the best costume parties in the country. Many of the city’s favorite bars get into the spooky spirit, offering themed drinks, DJ sets, and costume competitions.
For those who want to experience multiple venues in one night, Halloween pub crawls are a popular way to explore the city’s nightlife. Many pubs participate, with each location offering a different Halloween theme and a variety of drink specials. Make sure to dress in your spookiest attire!
7. Family-friendly Halloween activities
Celebrating Halloween with kids? Galway offers several family-friendly events that are fun without being too spooky. In addition to the Aboo Festival, there are several activities around the city designed for younger audiences.
- Galway Pumpkin Patch
- Halloween Murder Mystery Orienteering at Wildlands
- Hallowe’en at Brigit’s Garden
- Halloween Treat at Turoe Pet Farm
- Spooky Fest at Loughwell Farm Park
- Slieve Aughty Halloween Festival
- Spooky Wooky at Burren Nature Sanctuary
From the colorful and creative Macnas Parade to haunted tours and pub crawls, the city comes alive with eerie energy in late October. Whether you’re a family looking for fun activities or a thrill-seeker in search of ghostly adventures, Halloween in Galway promises an unforgettable experience full of frights and delights.
Author Bio: Carmina Natividad is a daytime writer who spends a fair amount of time discovering new cafes, watching live music, and visiting cultural gems after shift. Her fondness for travel, food, music and cultural appreciation makes it easy for her to write inspiring pieces of content about them. To learn more about hotels and travel blogs, you may visit Imperial Hotel Galway.
