Samhain Festival 26 at VISUAL

The Otherworld stirs at VISUAL…

22 October - 1 November 2026

This Samhain, VISUAL becomes a threshold between our world and the Otherworld.

As the ancient festival of Samhain comes to life and the veil between worlds grows thin, expect a spellbinding celebration of folklore, fire and fun. Discover the haunting tale of The Last Witch Bridget Cleary, gather around the flames for FIRE NIGHT featuring VolkiDána, enjoy the vibrant sounds of Úlla Búlla with Ríona Sally Hartman & band, the shimmering tones of Lemoncello and the wit, music and storytelling of Aindrias de Staic.

By day, the Spooky Scavenger Hunt winds its way around VISUAL, leading curious adventurers of all ages on an otherworldly quest. Then, on Sunday 25 October, the free Family Fun Day brings spooky stories, drop-in art workshops, strawcraft, costume competitions, a Deadly Disco and plenty more!

As Halloween approaches, the magic takes a cinematic turn with screenings of the eerie The Wicker Man, the enchanting Wolfwalkers, and the wonderfully chaotic Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up.

From ancient Samhain traditions to fiery spectacle, family fun to supernatural stories, Samhain Festival 26 at VISUAL invites you to step beyond the familiar and discover what lies on the other side...

The Otherworld is closer than you think.

Thursday 22 October

11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
8pm | The Last Witch Bridget Cleary - €22

Friday 23 October

10am | Primary School Movie Morning and Costume Competition: CoCo - Free*
11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
2pm - 3.30pm | A Special Samhain We Go On - Free*
2pm - 3.30pm | Have A Gawk: The Spooky Edition - Free*
3.30pm - 5pm | The Samhain Community Café - Free
7.30pm | FIRE NIGHT Outdoor Family Event featuring VolkiDána - Free*

Saturday 24 October

10am - 11am | Samhain Yoga - €12
11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
12pm + 1.30pm | Úlla Búlla with Ríona Sally Hartman & band - €12

Sunday 25 October – Family Fun Day

1.30pm, 2.30pm, 4pm | Stories from the Shadows - Free*
2pm - 4pm | Trad Music @ Carlow College - Free
2pm - 5pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
2pm - 5pm | Costume Competition - Free
2pm - 5pm | Spooky Face Painting
2pm - 5pm | Deadly Disco @ The Digital Gallery - Free
2pm - 5pm | Little Creepy Crawlies VISUAL (0-6 years) - Free
2pm - 5pm | Magnetic Aesthetic Art Workshop @ The Learn and Play Gallery - Free
2pm - 5pm | Drop-In Art Workshops @ Carlow College - Free
2pm - 3pm | Strawcraft Workshop (Adults) @ Carlow College - €15
3.30pm - 5pm | Strawcraft Workshop (All Ages) @ Carlow College - Free

Tuesday 27 October

11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free

Wednesday 28 October

11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free

Thursday 29 October

11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
8pm | Lemoncello - €25

Friday 30 October

11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt - Free
8pm | Aindrias de Staic: By the Light of the Silvery Moon - €27

Saturday 31 October - Halloween

10am - 2pm | Samhain Illustration Workshop - €25
11am - 5.30pm | Spooky Scavenger Hunt – Free
3pm | Wolfwalkers (2020) - €7
7.30pm | The Wicker Man (1973) - €7