October Bank Holiday Weekend: A Whirlwind of Culture Across Ireland
Table of Contents
Get ready for a jam-packed October Bank Holiday Weekend in Ireland! From the soulful sounds of jazz to spooky Halloween spectacles and cutting-edge electronic music, there’s something for everyone. Here’s a guide to some of the biggest events happening across the country.
Key Facts
- What: A diverse range of cultural events – Cork Jazz Festival, Macnas Halloween Parade, Haunted Dancehall.
- Where: Cork City, Galway City, and Dublin.
- When: october 23rd – November 2nd, 2025.
- Why it Matters: These events showcase Ireland’s vibrant arts scene, attract tourism, and offer unique cultural experiences.
- What’s Next: Ticket sales are ongoing for many events. Check event websites for details and availability.
1. Cork Jazz festival (October 23rd – 27th)
The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival is back for its 47th year, promising five days of incredible music. Over 500 musicians will perform across 100 events in nearly 80 venues. Expect a truly eclectic mix, from traditional jazz to soul, funk, hip-hop, reggae, and world music. And don’t forget the free pop-up gigs scattered throughout the city!
Featured Artists:
* Lee Fields and The Expressions
* Orchestra Baobab
* Saul Williams
* Rejjie Snow
* Cymande
* Maverick Sabre
2. Macnas halloween Parade (October 26th – Galway, November 2nd – Dublin)
Macnas, the renowned Irish street theater company, returns with their spectacular Halloween parade. This year’s theme, An Treun – The Summoning Of The Lost, draws inspiration from a forgotten Bram Stoker tale and the haunting call of the Corncrake. Prepare for a shape-shifting spectacle filled with folklore, magic, and mischief. The parade will take place in Galway City on October 26th, starting at 5:30pm, and will be repeated in Dublin on November 2nd as part of the Bram Stoker Festival.
🧿AN TREUN – The Summoning of the Lost
🎃Galway Parade – Sunday,26th October at 5:30pm
An Treun is a spectacular,shape-shifting parade inspired by a long-lost tale by Dracula author Bram Stoker and the haunting call of the vanished Corncrake.
Details: https://t.co/BXpZYhMoqA pic.twitter.com/sOH78KceOw
– Macnas (@Macnas) October 6, 2025
3.haunted Dancehall (October 25th – Dublin)
Held at the National concert Hall in Dublin, Haunted Dancehall is a one-day festival celebrating world-builders, sonic visionaries, and boundary-breakers in contemporary electronic and experimental music. Having been named an Irish Times Festival of the Year in both 2022 and 2023, this event consistently delivers a cutting-edge lineup.
featured Artists:
* The Bug
* Róis
* Shabaka
* Andy Stott
* Joanne Robertson
* Elaine howley
* Milan W.