With Halloween just next week, we thought it would be fitting to show what’s on in Waterford for Halloween! There is so much on from Pumpkin picking in Mount Congreve gardens to pop up movies being shown in Christ Church Cathedral in Waterford City and Lismore Heritage Centre. The big event across Waterford is Samhain which is on in Waterford and Dungarvan. This event will celebrate the folklore, magic and myth of Samhain.
Lafcaido hearn gardens
This is a unique experience which runs by day and is very much aimed at ‘Little Monsters’. Ghosts, ghouls, witches and skeletons will lurk in the woodlands, strange sounds and noises will add to this haunting walk. Adults and Children can also enjoy the story of the gardens and follow the normal discovery and fairy trails but be warned you may meet many strange creatures as you enter into the Woodlands.
For Adults there will be a special ‘Cotton Thread’ art installlation which will form cobwebs in the Woodlands, as the Japanese gardens continue to make its events more sustainable. Children and adults can enjoy storytelling of classic ghostly tales – not a trick, but a treat!
Check out The Lafcaido Hearn Gardens website for more information
Dark History tours – Waterford Treasures
During the 90 minute fully guided Dark History Tour visitors will be taken through the centuries, to explore the murky underbelly of Ireland’s oldest city. Vampires, ghosts, murderers and poor creatures from Waterford’s past will make an appearance on this special limited edition tour experience. From the home of the Waterford Treasures museums in the Viking Triangle to the top of the town in Ballybricken square, the city is filled with stories just dying to get out.
Check out our blog on Dark History Guided Tours for more information!
Mount Congreve pumpkin picking
Mount Congreve Gardens need your family’s help! Spooky skeletons and ghastly ghouls have taken over the gardens! Follow our Halloween trail to help us find them.
On arrival, each child will receive an activity sheet – from there you can start your adventure! At the end, your child can collect their pumpkin.
Don’t forget to dress up to help us scare the ghouls away!
Check out the mount congreve website for more information!
Spooky Express – Waterford suir valley railway
Are you brave enough to board the Spooky Express? Book a compartment for your family to enjoy a forty minute trip into the unknown, boarding at Kilmeadan Station, anything can happen, as you journey along the banks of the River Suir! It is Spooky, Kooky, Creepy and Fun, just as Halloween should be. The train will then return to Kilmeadan Station travelling at 17km per hour. Wrap up well as it can be chilly in the partially open carriages. There are two indoor carriages. Refreshments are available in the Whistlestop Café at Kilmeadan Station. This event will be happening from October 28th – November 5th!
Samhain – Spraoi
With a host of events taking place from Friday, October 27th to Tuesday, October 31st, Waterford will celebrate the folklore, magic and myth of Samhain. Dress up and join the spooky spectacle as Spraoi recreates the magical mystery of Samhain with fantastical floats and scary special effects. This night-time economy initiative is in partnership with Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts Gaeltacht, Sport & Media.
Halloween Film Night: Midsommar (2019) – Lismore
The film follows a dysfunctional couple who travel to Sweden with a group of friends for a midsummer festival, only to find themselves in the clutches of a sinister cult practicing Scandinavian paganism.
The soundtrack is composed by British electronic musician Bobby Krlic (The Haxan Cloak). Writing in the Guardian, Steve Rose describes Midsommar as ‘a powerful study of grief, betrayal, breakups and more’.
Enjoy popcorn and a beer to make a night of it in the atmospheric Pugin Hall.
Tickets 15 euro, snacks and complimentary softs drinks included. Over 18’s only. Friends scheme member price 12 euro. Pay bar available.
EVENT NOW SOLD OUT – PLEASE EMAIL FOR AVAILABILITY – info@lismorecastlearts.ie
lismore heritage centre
Lismore heritage centre will be hosting free halloween movies for the public. Beetlejuice will be shown on Monday 30th of October. The Adams Family will be shown on Halloween with Hocus Pocus being shown on the 2nd of October. Don’t forget to book your tickets on the lismore Heritage Website!!! Alternatively, if you’re feeling confident, complete your own scary tasks at the heritage centre’s Escape Room.
For those looking for a spine-chilling experience, head to 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!
From Pumpkin carving and fancy dress parades, to scary movies and CARNEVIL, there is something for everyone happening in Lismore this Halloween.
For more information or to book tickets, visit www.discoverlismore.com or www.carnevilatlismorecastle.com
Pop up Movie – Christ Church
Christ Church Cathedral hosts 2 “Spooky” movies for Halloween! The first being Hocus Pocus at 6pm and the second being The Conjuring at 8pm. Sadly, all the tickets are sold out but what a great venue to host a halloween themed pop up movie! Check out the website for more infomation!
Ballyvoyle tunnel
The Spooky Tunnel is back, which will be on show from Friday 27th of October till Thursday 2nd of November. It is a ‘walk or cycle through experience’ that promises to be a sight to behold for all age groups! Ballyvoyle Tunnel, is an almost 400 metre long brick lined tunnel, which was constructed during the 1870’s. It’s dimly lit recesses and arched ceiling are fantastically atmospheric at any time of year and form the perfect backdrop for a ‘spooktacular’ Halloween themed display.
James Doherty: Dark History Walking Tour
James Doherty returns to Imagine Arts with his ever popular Dark History Walking Tours . Expect to learn about Waterford’s gruesome past as James discusses Execution, Murder and Mayhem.
Disclaimer : these tours are not suitable for minors due to the subject matter .
For more information check out the Imagine Arts Festival website!
IMAGINE ARTS FESTIVAL
Imagine Arts Festival is a unique celebration of the arts here in Waterford City. The multidisciplinary arts festival is a professional organisation supported by a voluntary committee.
Imagine Arts Festival likes to capture the essence of Waterford’s burgeoning artistic community and give it a national platform and therefore a bigger audience.
Their aim is to feature the best of national and international artists and inspire new ideas and thought within the local community by exposure to such talent and creativity. Its vision is clear: promote established and emerging artists, from local, national and the international arena, support various artform development and in turn nurture its audiences through an eclectic programme of activities that evoke and engage on a multi-sensory level.
The festival will be running from Tuesday 24th of October till Sunday 29th of October!!!!
We will update the page with more events for what’s on in Waterford for Halloween as we find them!
