Events
Festivals, fairs, seasonal days out and one-off happenings for home educating families across Ireland — with a date to put in the calendar.
Coming up
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Crochet for Teens
A 6-week crochet course for teens at Claremorris Family Resource Centre, Co. Mayo — 'make it, wear it,' learning to create your ow…
When14 Sept – 19 Oct 2026
Introduction to Drawing Animals with Rosie Harel-Dore
A six-week Saturday drawing course with local artist Rosie Harel-Dore. You'll pick up the basics of sketching animals, their anato…
WhenSaturdays, 3pm to 5pm
Killarney Pumpkin Farm
A pick-your-own pumpkin farm in its sixth year, with a corn maze, witch's cottage, pixie village, storytelling and resident alpaca…
WhenWeekends in October plus the Halloween midterm week; timed tickets, book online
Baboró's 30th Festival
Baboró marks 30 years with its 2026 international arts festival for children — performances, exhibitions and workshops across Galw…
When9–18 Oct 2026
Sing-out Saturdays
Inclusive Saturday singing workshops at the Linenhall Arts Centre in Castlebar, for young people aged 7 to 18 of all abilities, wi…
WhenSaturdays 4pm to 5.30pm; seven workshops: 10, 17, 24 October and 7, 14, 21, 28 November
Halloween at Nore Valley Park
A working farm near Bennettsbridge that turns its grounds over to pumpkin picking, a torchlight treasure hunt and a scare maze for…
WhenDaytime pumpkin picking on selected dates 10 to 30 October; evening fire trail and scare maze 23 to 26 October
Community Day at Monaghan Peace Campus
A free family open day at Monaghan's Peace Campus with art workshops, sensory experiences, Minecraft activities, clay and collage,…
WhenSaturday 10 October, 11am to 4pm
Funtasia Pumpkin Patch Festival
A daytime pumpkin patch festival at Funtasia in Drogheda, a gentle fun-by-day family event. It falls early in the month, handy if…
When12 and 13 October, 11am to 5pm
Kids Crochet Classes with Gintare
A five-week crochet course for children aged 7 and up, run by Gintare at Sallins Community Centre, just outside Naas. Over five Tu…
WhenTuesdays 3.30 to 5pm, a five-week course from 13 October
Samhain Chiarraí (A Kerry Halloween)
A county-wide Halloween festival built around Celtic harvest tradition and An Cailleach Chiarraí, the Goddess of Winter. The progr…
WhenThursday 15 October to Sunday 1 November
Express Yourself! Sculpture Class for Children
A hands-on sculpture class for children aged 8 to 12 at the Glucksman gallery in University College Cork. Inspired by artworks in…
When2pm to 4pm
The Happy Halloween Experience
A gentle indoor Halloween visit to the home of Hattie O'Goodspell, the Good Witch of Munster. Children hear stories, practise spel…
WhenSaturday 17 to Saturday 31 October
Ovens Pumpkin Patch
A family pumpkin patch about fifteen minutes from Cork city where children pick pumpkins off live vines. There's also a maze, pump…
WhenSaturdays and Sundays 17 to 25 October, entry 10am to 3pm
Halloween Estate Trail at Johnstown Castle
Families pick up a trail map and search the castle grounds for spooky characters. Younger children tick off the characters they fi…
WhenDaily 17 October to 1 November, 10am to 3pm
Pooka Spooka at Causey Farm
Causey Farm's gentle daytime Halloween event is aimed at younger children, part of the Spirits of Meath festival. It mixes traditi…
WhenDaytime family event on 17 and 18 October and further midterm dates, 12pm to 4pm
Carlow Brick Show 2026
A LEGO® fan show at the Woodford Dolmen Hotel in Carlow — huge custom models, dioramas and MOCs built by LEGO enthusiasts, spannin…
WhenTimed entry slots, 11am–5pm
Tonagh Pumpkin Hollow
A small family-run pumpkin patch with a pick-your-own field, a pumpkin arch photo spot, Halloween music, swings and games, and two…
WhenDaily 18 to 26 October, 11am to 5pm
Samhain Festival 26
Carlow's Halloween festival, a celebration of folklore, fire and fun across venues in and around Carlow town. Family highlights in…
When22 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
Savour Kilkenny Food Festival
Kilkenny's harvest food festival has a dedicated kids strand over the mid-term weekend, with hands-on sessions like a cookies work…
WhenThursday 22 to Monday 26 October
Lú, Drogheda Festival of Light
Drogheda's free festival of light, with large-scale projection shows lighting up the town's historic landmarks, including the Old…
WhenAfter dark
Dead of Night Halloween Festival
Longford's county-wide Halloween festival brings music, theatre, storytelling and family events to venues across the county throug…
When23 to 31 October, building to the Fire and Shadows Procession on 31 October
Samhain Self-Guided Trail at Strokestown Park
Families follow a trail map through the Serpentine Woodlands, gathering clues about the old traditions of Oíche Shamhna and collec…
WhenFriday 23 October to Sunday 1 November, 10.30am to 4pm daily
Cavan Eco Féile
A free sustainability festival in Cavan town with a climate expo, family-friendly attractions, local food vendors, workshops and l…
WhenFriday 23 to Sunday 25 October
Samhain Camp — Laois Forest School
A two-morning autumn woodland camp at Laois Forest School near Rosenallis — fire skills, den building, seasonal crafts and child-l…
WhenTwo mornings, 11am–1.30pm
Samhain Toddler Stay & Play — Laois Forest School
A gentle woodland stay-and-play for toddlers and a parent at Laois Forest School's Doire Seoige site in Rosenallis — sensory play,…
When2.30pm–4pm
Raheen Barr Pumpkin Patch
A family pumpkin patch tucked in the hills outside Castlebar. Pick your own pumpkin, plus face painting, storytelling, a carving w…
WhenOpen 24, 25, 26, 30 & 31 October 2026. Sessions daily at 12pm, 1.30pm and 3pm (1 hour each).
Slieve Aughty Halloween Festival
A family Halloween festival at the Slieve Aughty Centre near Loughrea. Spooky story rooms in the stables, scary face painting, fir…
WhenDaily from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November 2026. Bookings 12pm to 3pm; café open 12pm to 5pm.
Belvedere Halloween Trail & Samhain Circus
A daytime family Halloween event at Belvedere House near Mullingar, part of its Home of Halloween season. There's a live Samhain c…
WhenSaturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, 10am to 3pm
Monsters, Misfits and Mayhem at Bunratty
Bunratty's folk park fills with roaming ghosts, a haunted storyteller, a ghost recruitment bureau for younger visitors, escapology…
WhenSaturday 24 to Monday 26 October, 1.30pm to 7pm daily
Halloween at Vandeleur Walled Garden
The walled garden is dressed as a cobweb-covered graveyard with pun-filled tombstones. Children can paint their own ceramic pumpki…
WhenHaunted Garden 24 to 31 October, with pumpkin-painting workshops and storyteller Eddie Lenihan during the week
Trick or Treat in the City
A free city-centre trail where families follow Halloween characters through the streets, collect stamps and surprises, and enjoy s…
WhenSelected evenings 24 to 31 October, from 3pm
Waterford's Weird and Wicked Past
A storytelling tour through the gruesome and strange side of medieval life, covering old medicine, hygiene, crime and punishment.…
WhenSaturday 24 to Friday 30 October, 11am to 12pm
The Witch's Magic Trail at Birr Castle
Children ride the Halloween train and follow a trail through the castle grounds, solving clues to help two witches recover their l…
WhenDaily 24 to 31 October, sessions every 30 minutes from 11am
Halloween Happenings at Lullymore
The heritage park on a bog island near Rathangan runs its Halloween programme through the mid-term break, with haunted holograms,…
WhenSaturday 24 October to 1 November, online booking slots
Adventure Lights at Carlingford Skypark
A lit outdoor path at Carlingford's Skypark takes families past illuminated 3D statues and creative installations after dark. It's…
WhenAfter-dark illuminated trail from 24 October
The Pumpkin Express at Oakfield Park
Oakfield Park's Halloween event centres on a haunted ride on the narrow-gauge railway through the demesne, with a pumpkin patch, c…
WhenSaturday 24 to Monday 26 October, from 2pm (earlier slots suit younger children)
Howling Halloween at Brigit's Garden
A Samhain weekend at Brigit's Garden with a ghostly treasure hunt, storytelling and potion-making with the Wacky Witch, plus face-…
WhenSaturday 24 to Monday 26 October, 12pm to 4pm
Macnas: Fiáin
Macnas's spectacular free street parade returns to Galway on Sunday 25 October — giant puppets, fire, music and wild imagination c…
When25 Oct 2026
Kiltimagh Spooky Walk
A family Halloween evening at Emigrant Park in Kiltimagh, back again on Sunday 25 October. There's a Tots' Less Spooky Stroll for…
WhenSunday 25 October (times to be confirmed)
Trick or Treat Street
A family Halloween experience at The Art Deco in Ballymote. Professor Pumpkin and Popcorn Boy have Trick or Treat Street ready, wi…
When26 to 30 October
Masks and Mystics: Children's Halloween Workshop
Children design and decorate a Halloween mask inspired by folklore and seasonal characters, with all materials provided and the ma…
WhenMonday 26 to Friday 30 October, 2pm to 3pm
Fangs and Fables
A family storytelling session drawing on Irish and Norse mythology, with a medieval vampire and a Viking werewolf. Children handle…
When26, 30 and 31 October and 1 November, at 3pm and 4pm
Samhain at The Organic Centre
The Organic Centre's Halloween fest returns with a trail around the gardens where children hunt for hidden surprises, seasonal Sam…
WhenMonday 26 October, 12pm to 4pm
Happy Vibes Halloween Camp
A Halloween-week camp for ages 4 to 11 at Ballintemple School and Fairy Park in Ballinlough. The days are full of spooky yoga, aut…
WhenTuesday 27 to Friday 30 October, 9am to 2pm
Hullabaloo! Offaly's Children's Arts Festival
Offaly's children's arts festival marks its 20th year with four days of workshops and shows across five towns, from music, craft a…
WhenWednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October
Púca Festival
Ireland’s Halloween heritage festival across Trim and Athboy, the ancient home of Samhain — fire shows, a lantern procession, proj…
When29 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
Halloween Creative Camp, Dunamaise Arts Centre
A three-day mid-term camp where children work with an artist across collage, printing, clay, painting and zine making on a spooky…
When29 to 31 October, Saturday session 10am to 2pm
Mayo Dark Sky Festival
Three nights under some of Ireland's darkest, clearest skies, based in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy. The programme mixes starga…
WhenFriday 30 October to Sunday 1 November
The Big Barn Bash – Family Food Festival
A brand-new two-day family food festival at Coppenagh House Farm, celebrating food, farming, family and the outdoors. The programm…
When31 Oct – 1 Nov 2026
Halloween Workshop for Kids (Rediscovery Centre)
A hands-on Halloween workshop at the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, packed with spooky science, themed games, experiments and art…
When2:30pm to 4pm
The Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade
Cork's long-running Samhain street spectacle, marking its 20th year in 2026, where a giant dragon travels between worlds with a pr…
WhenSaturday 31 October from 7pm
Toil and Trouble: Family Afternoon at Rothe House
Toil and Trouble is Kilkenny's festival built around the 1324 Alice Kyteler witch trial. On Halloween day the medieval Rothe House…
WhenSaturday 31 October, drop-in afternoon
Let's Talk Science Festival 2026
A free, all-day family science festival at the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun, celebrating science and sustainability with interac…
WhenDrop in, 11am to 4pm
Yule Camp — Laois Forest School
A two-morning midwinter woodland camp at Laois Forest School near Rosenallis — fire, den building, winter crafts and child-led out…
WhenTwo mornings, 11am–1.30pm
Yule Toddler Stay & Play — Laois Forest School
A gentle midwinter stay-and-play for toddlers and a parent at Laois Forest School's Doire Seoige site in Rosenallis — sensory natu…
When2pm–3.30pm
Past events
35
YOFA Teen Photography Group
A teen group in Co. Wicklow using photography to explore observation, storytelling and communication, run by San from YOFA.ie with…
WhenWednesdays 11am to 2pm, 19 sessions from September to May
Monaghan Home Education Meet-Up
A home education meet-up at Castleblayney Library, open to all home-educating families in Monaghan and beyond. This session has a…
WhenTuesday, 11am
Galway Brick Show
A LEGO® fan show at Caltra Community Centre in east Galway — big custom builds, dioramas and MOCs by LEGO enthusiasts across theme…
WhenTimed entry slots, 11am–3pm
Comic Fest Mayo
Comic Fest Mayo returns to Castlebar Library — a day celebrating comics, graphic novels and pop culture, hosted by Mayo County Lib…
When26 Sept 2026
Dungeons & Dragons Workshop
A free Dungeons & Dragons workshop at Portlaoise Library, a chance for older children and teens to try the tabletop role-playing g…
WhenSaturday 26 September, 1pm to 4pm
Traditional Harvest Day (Bunratty Castle & Folk Park)
A traditional 19th-century Harvest Day at Bunratty Castle & Folk Park in Co. Clare. Step back in time for threshing demonstrations…
When20 Sept 2026
Otter Walk & Talk, Galway Docklands Festival
A free Otter Walk and Talk along the Lough Atalia Loop, part of the Galway Docklands Festival and run by Nature Network Ireland wi…
WhenSunday, 12:30 to 1:30pm (register from 12:15pm)
Board Games & Pokémon Meet-Up
A community board games afternoon at Ballyhaunis Community Hall, back on Sunday 20 September from 4 to 6pm. There's a big selectio…
WhenSunday 20 September, 4 to 6pm
Apple Fest at Cloughjordan
Welcome to the famous Apple Fest in Cloughjordan ! It is a lovely day with nice activities, and the apple press :) If you plan t…
When19 Sept 2026
Big Beach Clean
A nationwide coastal clean-up run by Clean Coasts each September — join one of hundreds of community beach (and river and lake) cl…
When18–20 Sept 2026
Balla After Dark: Culture Night
Balla After Dark is a free, family-friendly Culture Night in the heart of Balla, Co. Mayo. An evening celebrating culture, communi…
When18 Sept 2026
Origami Workshop (ages 6-9)
A free, hands-on origami workshop for children aged 6 to 9 at Cork City Library's Children and Young People's Library. Little ones…
When6pm to 7pm
Clifden Arts Festival
Ireland's LONGEST-RUNNING community arts festival (49 years)! Children's workshops, storytelling, live performances. Flutter-Bop f…
When17–27 Sept 2026
Fermoy Home Ed Meet-Up
A home-ed meet-up at Fermoy Town Park, organised through the Home Education Meet Ups Ireland group. Bring the children for a play…
WhenWednesday 16 September, from 10.30 to 11am
Dublin Brick Show Tallaght 2026
A LEGO® fan show at the Maldron Hotel in Tallaght — huge custom models, dioramas and MOCs built by LEGO enthusiasts, spanning favo…
WhenTimed entry slots, 11am–5pm
Make Your Own Puppet (Blackwater Valley Makers)
A beginner-friendly puppet-making workshop at Blackwater Valley Makers in Fermoy. Make your own character puppet from a spoon and…
When12 Sept 2026
The Greatest Show — Family Musical
A high-energy family musical inspired by The Greatest Showman — dance, drama and dazzling performances to sing and stomp along to,…
When5 Sept 2026
Sensory Play Workshop — Lovely Laois Festival
A free, hands-on sensory play workshop for children at the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival in Portlaoise — messy, creative, sense…
When5 Sept 2026
Silent Disco for Neurodiverse Teens
An inclusive silent disco for neurodiverse teens at the Lovely Laois Homecoming Festival in Portlaoise — dance to music through wi…
When5 Sept 2026
MMG 26: Rolling!
A playful outdoor performance at Solstice Arts Centre in Navan — a dancer rolls, spins and stacks his way through a pile of cardbo…
When5 Sept 2026
MMG 26: Peakaboo!
A gentle dance-theatre show made just for babies, from Selma Daniel Dance — laughter, the senses and soft sculptures, all built ar…
When5 Sept 2026
Explore Your Shore (Bull Island)
A free morning of coastal exploration on Bull Island, discovering the plants and animals of the shore and taking part in hands-on…
When5 Sept 2026
Autumn Plant Fair & Medieval Combat (Claregalway Castle)
The autumn edition of the Galway Garden Festival at Claregalway Castle, with many of Ireland's best nurseries and rare-plant speci…
When5 Sept 2026
Music West Open Day (Castlebar)
An open day at Music West in Castlebar, Co. Mayo, to discover music classes for children and adults. Come along to try out instrum…
When5 Sept 2026
Waterford Harvest Festival
Waterford city's annual food and harvest festival — a weekend of local food, markets, live music and family attractions across the…
When4–6 Sept 2026
Not-Back-to-School Picnic (Roscommon)
A relaxed Not-Back-to-School picnic for home-ed families in Roscommon, old hands and newcomers alike. Meet at Roscommon Playground…
When3 Sept 2026
IKEA Lunch & Board Games Meet-Up
A relaxed meet-up for home-educating families at IKEA Ballymun — gather upstairs in the Food Hall Restaurant, at the big tables be…
When2 Sept 2026
Chalkfest (Summer in the City)
A free, family-friendly street-art afternoon on O’Connell Crescent — turn the street into a giant chalk canvas, with artists on ha…
When29 Aug 2026
Cultural Dance Celebration Workshop
A free, all-ages intercultural dance workshop at Ballina Arts Centre with Undercurrent — try African, Hip Hop and Passinho styles…
When11am–1.30pm
Children's Theatre Series — Clare Island
A two-day children's theatre screening series on Clare Island, Co. Mayo, brought by Clare Island Connected Hub and The Ark — recor…
When25–26 Aug 2026
Clown-led Beach Clean & Show
A Water Heritage Day double-bill on Achill — a climate-clown-led beach clean at Keel, then ‘Juanita’s Big Problem’, a circus show…
When23 Aug 2026
The Babbling Brook, in a Slow Meandering River
A free family morning by the Altidore river at Newtownmountkennedy, Co. Wicklow — dip for tiny river creatures and uncover the bio…
When23 Aug 2026
NeuroArt Family Festival
A free, inclusive family festival in Portlaoise celebrating creativity, neurodiversity and community — art workshops, music, movem…
When22 Aug 2026
LEGO Robotics Workshop
Hands-on robotics for ages 6+: design, build and programme your own LEGO robots with an expert instructor. Free and first-come, fi…
When17 Aug 2026
Celebrate the Timeless Craft of Hand Weaving
Watch the near-lost craft of Irish hand-weaving come to life at the Thomas MacDonagh Museum in Cloughjordan, Co. Tipperary. Weaver…
When15–23 Aug 2026