Share the Scare this year in Ireland’s Oldest City – October 27th to October 31st!
Experience Halloween like you’ve never experienced it before, with Samhain in Waterford…October 27th to October 31st.
A mystical and spirited 4 day festival featuring a spectral Scáthanna Spraoi procession along the ancient routes of the old city centre, Heavy Metal Halloween gigs in John Roberts Square and Grattan Square, Dungarvan and a chilling All Hallow’s Eve thrill on Ballybricken Hill.
Other events include bloodcurdling Sunday Brunches with a taste of Jazz, World Cup Rugby on the Big Screen and weekend prizes for best and scariest Halloween costumes.
Samhain in Waterford is spookily supported by Waterford City and County Council, Failte Ireland, Creative Ireland, and Night Time Economy Ireland via the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
P R O G R A M M E
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 27TH
Scáthanna (Shadows) Note – Change of route
Award winning Spraoi present Scáthanna (Shadows), a stunning Samhain procession featuring floats, fire, performance, light, sound and special effects. Audiences will join the Scáthanna’s procession as it weaves through some of Waterford’s oldest and scariest streets, where battlements and town gates once stood, to a dramatic fiery finale on the Mall.
• From 19.30 – Gather at John Robert’s Square – Wear your costumes! (Be outdoor aware with your clothing.) ENTRANCE IS FREE!
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 28TH
Samhain agus Spórt
Heavy Metal Halloween Part 1
Rock-up to John Roberts Square in your favourite Halloween Habiliments and hang-out to two of Waterford’s hottest bands.
• 16.30 Aliens In Caves
• 18.00 Children’s Fancy Dress winners announced from stage.
• 18.30 Lithium Lounge
• 19.30 Adult’s Fancy-Dress winners announced from stage.
• 19.45 The Big Rugby Match on the Big Stage
ENTRANCE IS FREE!
(This is an alcohol-free event – any alcohol must be purchased and consumed in a licensed premises)
SUNDAY OCTOBER 29TH
The Samhain Sessions
Waterford:. Chill-out in Waterford with its Sunday Samhain Session – Cool Jazz and a very special Halloween Brunch from the Kazbar and Revolution – groovy Jazz adjacent to fantastic pints and bites. ENTRANCE IS FREE!
• 12.00 Apple Market, Waterford
In Grattan Square, The Dungarvan Samhain Session will rock you out with the Heavy Metal Halloween Part 2: Dress up in your favourite Halloween Costumes and win prizes for best child and adult costumes.
• 16.45 Lithium Lounge
• 18.15 Children’s Fancy Dress winners announced from stage.
• 18.45 ‘Washed Out’
• 19.30 Adult’s Fancy-Dress winners announced from stage.
• 19.45 Aliens In Caves
ENTRANCE IS FREE! (This is an alcohol-free event – any alcohol must be purchased and consumed in a licensed premises)
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31ST
The Hill @ Halloween
A very special thrill – The Hill @ Halloween, is an extraordinary seasonal cultural happening presented by Creative Waterford and Waterford Community Safety Partnership in the traditional heartland of the old, old City. Featuring a kaleidoscope of music, dance, performance, light, sound, and special effects this immersive collaboration is a truly unique Halloween Night experience. ENTRANCE IS FREE!
From 19.30 – Gather at Ballybricken Green
OTHER SPOOKY SPECIALS
OCTOBER 23 – 27 at 7PM
DARK HISTORY TOURS WITH WATERFORD TREASURES
A 90 minute tour where you will be taken through the centuries to explore the murky underbelly of Waterford, Ireland’s oldest city. But beware, as Vampires, ghosts, murderers and poor creatures from Waterford’s past may make an appearance! Tickets from €15
‘After Dark’ tours October 23rd to 27th 7pm. Suitable for ages 16 and over. Bookings via www.waterfordtreasures.com
OCTOBER 29
SPOOKY MAGIC SHOWS at the City Square shopping Centre. Come in and join in the fun with super magic shows every 30 minutes. 13.00 – 16.00 ENTRANCE IS FREE. Plus Balloon making, Face painting, Photo competition and Halloween crafts.
OCTOBER 30
POP-UP HALOWEEN MOVIES AT CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL
Have a night of fright and enjoy scary movies in the ultimate spooky setting, as Christ Church Cathedral will be showing Hocus Pocus at 6pm and for the braver bunch, it will be showing The Conjuring at 8.30pm. Tickets €15
For more information or to book tickets, visit http://www.thepopupmovieclub.ie.
DURROW
OCTOBER 27 TO NOVEMBER 2
Waterford Greenway Spooky Tunnel. Dare to be scared? The Spooky Tunnel makes a dramatic return to the renowned Waterford Greenway at ENTRANCE IS FREE – if you dare enter!
KILMEADEN
OCTOBER 28 – 31
Mount Congreve Gardens Halloween Trail. Dress up and help us rid the estate of Ghosts, Ghouls and scary Skeleys! The trail starts from 9am until 3pm. A child ticket includes a kid’s activity sheet and a pumpkin! Pre-booking is recommended. Packages start at €22. Suitable for children aged 4-10.
Visit www.mountcongreve.com
LISMORE
OCTOBER 28 – 29
CARNEVIL at Lismore Castle where each step taken will feel as if descending into a nightmarish realm where reality and fantasy entwined. Visit a world that reveals itself only on the darkest of Halloween nights! Tickets €25. For more information and bookings go to http://www.carnevilatlismorecastle.com
TRAMORE
OCTOBER 18 – NOVEMBER 1
Lafcadio Hearn Japanese Gardens Ghostly Woodland Walk. Lafcadio Hearn wrote and translated many Japanese Ghost Stories – see how they resonate and interact on a spooky tour through the fabled gardens – but beware as you step foot in the wood ghouls, witches and skeletons may be lurking in the undergrowth and high up in the trees. Parent and Child packages from €9. For more information or to book tickets, visit http://www.lafcadiohearngardens.com.
Other complimentary programmes on those dates:
The Imagine Festival Waterford
The Waterford Writer’s Weekend
Can’t make it to Waterford for Samhain?
Why not pop over to our our scarefest friends in Limerick, Longford or Meath on the Bank Holliday Weekend? You will be guaranteed fun and fear for all the family as well as good food and plenty of banter.
- Samhain Limerick
- Dead Of The Night Festival Longford
- Puca Festival Meath
Come back to this site for regular updates.