CORK

Dragon of Shandon Samhain Parade: Attracting huge crowds from around Cork city, the Dragon of Shandon parade is one of the highlights of October, featuring a 36-foot sculpted dragon. In its 13th year, the parade preparation brings together artists and community volunteers who collaborate to paint, make floats, create masks and more. Come check out the results of their hard work – and dress warmly!

When: 7pm. Cost: Free. Suits: The whole family. Find out more here.

DUBLIN

Visit Frankenslime’s Lab: Science communicator Catherine McGuinness is hosting a Halloween-themed spooky science event at the Irish Emigration Museum in CHQ this morning. Feel free to come along in your scariest costume…

Suits: 6-12 years. When: 11am-12pm. Cost: €8. Find out more here. 

Boo At the Zoo: Dublin Zoo has an afternoon of spooky tricks and events on today, October 31. Visitors to the zoo can enjoy Halloween face painting, scary arts and crafts in the Meerkat Restaurant, spooky talks from the zookeepers and a monster disco outside Houghton House.

Suits: All ages. When: 12 – 3pm (normal zoo opening hours apply). Cost: Events are free with entry. Child €13.20, Adult €18. Find out more here.

Dublin Zoo's elephants had some seasonal pumpkin-smashing fun earlier this month. Facebook / Dublin Zoo Facebook / Dublin Zoo / Dublin Zoo

Liberties Halloween Monster Bash: With story-telling, face painting, a film screening and even piñata bashing, this event at the Digital Court on Rainsford Street in Dublin 8 is a brilliant way to spend a few hours before engaging in some trick or treating. It’s part of Dublin City Council’s programme of free Halloween events across the city.

Suits: The whole family. When: 4pm-6pm. Cost: Free. Find out more about Dublin City Council’s Halloween events here. 

Otherworld Festival in Ballymun: Another Dublin City Council event, the Otherworld Festival is a major part of Ballymun’s autumn/winter calendar each year. A Zombie and Witch Parade kicks off at The Virgin Mary School on Shangan Road at 4.45pm and the festival events kick off in the main plaza at 6pm, with fairground rides, deadly food, storytelling and music from Spring Break. Stick around for the fireworks at 8.30pm.

Suits: The whole family. Cost: Free. When: From 4.45pm all evening long. Find out more here.

KILDARE 

Halloween Family Trail of Terror: The Dare To Visit Kill-Dare festival finishes its almost week-long extravaganza tonight with a spooky trail of terror on Cherry Avenue. The organiser has advised that it’s fairly scary, so this isn’t one for very small children, but older kids will have a blast.

Suits: 10 years +. Cost: Free. When: 8pm Find out more here.

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