What's Happening in Dublin this weekend (Oct 31st) - Free Events

Hi folks,

Spooky season is in full swing, and this week Dublin is absolutely heaving with Halloween magic, gothic happenings, fireworks, eerie parades, and even a clothing swap for those who’ve had enough of the haunt. Here's your guide to everything going on:

Here’s what is happening this week:

• Bram Stoker Festival (Fri–Mon, citywide)
  Yes, the Macnas Parade is actually happening in Dublin this year. We checked twice.

• Samhain in South Dublin (Oct 31 – Nov 2, Tallaght & Clondalkin)
  Carnival eats, creepy cinema, zombie appearances and a sensory-friendly zone.

• Fingal Festival of Fire (Fri 31, Blanchardstown, Balbriggan, Swords, Malahide)
  Fireworks & scary discos in 4 locations – bring your warm layers!

• DCC Halloween Events (Oct 20 – 31, various locations)
  Dozens of events from haunted harbours to Dockers & Demons.

• Too Good To Keep Clothing Swap (Sat Nov 1, Windmill Lane)
  No ghosts, just great garms and sustainable shopping.

🦇 Bram Stoker Festival

📍 Across the city
📅 Fri 31 Oct – Mon 3 Nov
Bram Stoker Festival returns for a four-day celebration of gothic arts and spooky creativity inspired by the Dracula author himself. From gothic theatre and film to parades and family fun, it's one of the highlights of the Dublin calendar.

💥 YES, the Macnas Parade is actually happening this year – and no, it’s not a fever dream.

Highlights include:

• Macnas Parade: An Treun: The Summoning of the Lost, weaving puppets and pageantry through the NEIC.

• Dracula: The Hunt: At the Abbey Theatre.

• Stokerland Funfair: Family fun at St Patrick’s Park.

• SCANRA, Poetry Brothel, Kwaidan, and many more spooky & stunning events.

🔗 Full details: bramstokerfestival.com

🌕 Samhain in South Dublin

📍 Tallaght & Clondalkin
📅 Thu 31 Oct – Sat 2 Nov
Two haunted hubs – Tallaween & Spookdalkin – are bringing Halloween to life in South Dublin. Expect:

• Creepy Cinema

• Zombies on patrol

• Fire performers

• Sensory-friendly areas

• Glitter bar, food trucks, carnival fun

• Costume prizes!

🎭 Open to all – full info here: sdcc.ie Halloween

🔥 Fingal Festival of Fire

📍 Balbriggan, Swords, Malahide, Blanchardstown
📅 Friday 31 Oct
Dublin’s skies are lighting up with fireworks and spooky disco fun at four Fingal spots:

• Bremore Castle

• Swords Town Park

• Malahide Castle

• Millennium Park

  Fireworks at 7:30PM | Free to attend | Leave the car at home!

👻 Dublin City Council Halloween Events

📍 Various city neighbourhoods
📅 Now – Thu 31 Oct
Dublin’s neighbourhoods are getting into the spooky spirit with dozens of local events including:

• Dockers & Demons

• The Big Scream

• Donaghmede Monster Mash

• Edenmore Fireworks

• The Haunted Harbour

• Fatima’s House of Horrors, and more.

📍 Full map of events: dublincity.ie/events

👗 Too Good To Keep: Clothing Swap

📍 Windmill Lane
📅 Sat 1 Nov | 11:30am–3:30pm
Not everyone loves ghouls & goblins – for the fashion-conscious, sustainable crowd, this is for you. Swap your wardrobe, refresh your look, and shop sustainably in a chill atmosphere.

Special Mention: Pop Culture for a Cause

How to Make a Hollywood Pop-Up Book… on Steroids!
📍 3 Fitzwilliam Street Upper
📅 Thurs 7 Nov | 7–8pm
💶 €10 per ticket
Imagine being asked to create the most over-the-top, technicolour pop-up book Hollywood has ever seen — and saying yes. That’s exactly what Northern Irish illustrator Neal McCullough did when the Willis Wonderland Foundation (set up by the late legendary songwriter Allee Willis) came calling.

At this lively talk, Neal shares the wild, behind-the-scenes story of how he and a crack team of creatives from around the world turned a wacky idea into a fully illustrated, insane-on-every-level pop-up book about Allee’s life, home, and famous friends.

You’ll hear about:

• The real-life pink Hollywood mansion that inspired the book

• The music legends and outrageous parties that passed through it

• The world-class illustrators and paper engineers who brought it to life

• And the wild stories behind some of the world’s most iconic hit songs

Expect laughs, pop culture deep-dives, big visuals, and some serious creative inspiration. A portion of the proceeds go towards the Willis Wonderland Foundation, supporting the arts and community projects.
More: Event Link

Please share this event guide with your friends or family who might enjoy some of the events in here!

We’re working on something new to bring to the free events scene in Dublin and hope to publish soon.

If you have an event to share or to support The Dublin Buzz and have a shout out, you can contact me here!