Samhain Festival 26

A Celebration of Folklore, Fire and Fun at Halloween

22 October – 1 November 2026

As autumn deepens and the nights draw in, the boundary between worlds begins to shift...

Welcome to Samhain Festival 26, Carlow’s celebration of the ancient Celtic festival that marks the end of harvest and the beginning of winter – a time of fire and folklore, stories and spirits, mystery and mischief.

This year, Samhain takes over Carlow, bringing an atmospheric programme of events and experiences to VISUAL, Delta Centre, The Library, The Exchange, Duckett’s Grove and venues across the county.

At VISUAL, discover haunting tales, live performance, fire, music, film, art and family adventures, with the Otherworld never far away. Wander among ghosts and strange happenings at Ghosts in the Gardens in Delta Sensory Gardens, encounter dragons and theatrical magic at The Exchange, or get creative with wild creatures, spooky cooking, art and musical tales at The Library.

At Duckett’s Grove, history and folklore intertwine beneath the shadows of one of Carlow’s most atmospheric landmarks, while the Fringe programme brings the festival into the wider community with traditional music and sessions, Halloween folklore, spooky movie nights and family farm adventures – from local pubs and community venues to the countryside.

From ancient traditions and local legends to live music, creative experiences and Halloween thrills, Samhain Festival 26 invites you to see Carlow through a different lens – where the familiar becomes strange, stories come to life and there is always something waiting just beyond the ordinary.

Come curious. Stay awhile. Something is stirring across Carlow...