Malahide Samhain festival 2026:

The Haunted Trail returns to the grounds of Malahide Castle this October with the new Malahide Samhain Festival, combining playful daytime spooks with a more atmospheric celebration after dark. All rooted in the Irish folklore, storytelling and ancient traditions that started it all, it’s the perfect offering for families who want the ultimate spooky evening out or indeed prefer a little less haunted day-time light.
 

By day, The Haunted Trail presents the Malahide Samhain Festival, brings playful Halloween fun as families encounter mischievous characters including Puck the Jester, Malahide’s resident spirit, before venturing into the Samhain Forest to discover the folklore and traditions behind Ireland’s original Halloween. Running until 4.30pm, it’s Halloween with the fright dialled down, making it ideal for younger ghosts and ghouls or anyone who gets spooked easily.
 

As darkness falls, Samhain takes on a different side as from 4.45pm, visitors will journey along The Haunted Trail and through the Samhain Forest before arriving at The Samhain Gathering, where the storytellers of Candlelit Tales breathe life back into tales of old and haunted Ireland, for the young and old alike, all set to live traditionally inspired music. Enjoy these evocative tellings while enjoying the seasonal food and drinks available to purchase, in an atmosphere built for gathering together, just as it always has been as the veil grows thin. The Night Experience remains family-friendly while offering a more atmospheric way to celebrate the season for Halloween lovers, folklore fans and the culture-curious of all ages.

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Souvenir photography will be available in the Walled Garden, with free on-site parking for visitors and easy access by public transport.

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Ticket Information: 
 

Day Experience: Sessions up to 4.30pm, with tickets starting from €14 for children and €17 for adults plus booking fee.
 

Night Experience: Sessions from 4.45pm, with tickets starting from €18 for children and €21 for adults  plus booking fee, including access to The Samhain Gathering with storytelling and live Celtic music.
 

Infants under 2 years go free. Family and group saver bundles are available with flexible payment options including Klarna, allowing families to spread the cost over three payments.