Four major festivals celebrate Halloween in the place where it began
The Boyne Valley, where the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain was celebrated more than 2,000 years ago, has unveiled its 2026 Home of Halloween programme, bringing together four flagship festivals and hundreds of events across Meath and South Louth from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 8thNovember 2026.
Halloween is now celebrated across the globe, but its roots can be traced to the ancient festival of Samhain. Today, Boyne Valley: Home of Halloween invites visitors to experience that heritage through a modern programme of festivals, family attractions, food experiences, folklore, culture and spectacular light displays.
Spanning five weeks, the programme brings together some of Ireland’s most distinctive Halloween events, celebrating the traditions, stories and seasonal experiences that make autumn in the Boyne Valley unique.
Kieran Keogh, Chief Executive, Meath County Council, commented:
“The Boyne Valley is proud to be home to a Halloween season unlike anywhere else in Ireland. Rooted in the traditions of Samhain, Home of Halloween brings together four major festivals and hundreds of events across the region. The programme showcases the Boyne Valley at its most vibrant and offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience the destination during the autumn season.”
Spirits of Meath
The season opens with Spirits of Meath, running from Friday 2nd October to Sunday 8th November, transforming locations across County Meath with a programme of family-friendly Halloween experiences, seasonal trails, folklore-inspired activities and immersive attractions. Visitors can enjoy everything from pumpkin patches and themed dining experiences to thrilling Halloween events at Emerald Park and the internationally renowned Farmaphobia at Causey Farm.
Lú Festival of Light
From Friday 23rd October to Sunday 26th October, Drogheda’s Lú Festival of Light will illuminate the historic town centre with large-scale projections, storytelling and immersive light installations inspired by Irish mythology, local heritage and legendary figures. Beyond the lights, discover craft markets, cabaret and more – linger over great food and live music, and experience Drogheda’s vibrant nightlife”.
David Conway, Chief Executive, Louth County Council, said:
“The Home of Halloween programme highlights the strength of collaboration between Louth County Council, Meath County Council, Visit Louth, Boyne Valley Tourism, Fáilte Ireland and our wider tourism partners. By working together, we are creating a coordinated visitor experience that celebrates the unique story of Samhain while supporting tourism, local businesses and the wider economy across the Boyne Valley region.”
Púca Festival
The Halloween celebrations continue with Púca Festival in Trim and Athboy from Thursday 29th October to Sunday 1st November. Inspired by the mythical shape-shifting spirit of Irish folklore, the festival combines music, spectacle, storytelling, comedy, food and fire performances in a contemporary celebration of Ireland’s ancient Samhain traditions. Athboy reconnects visitors with the origins of the festival at the Hill of Tlachtga, while Trim provides a dramatic medieval backdrop for one of Ireland’s most distinctive Halloween experiences.
Samhain Festival of Food & Culture
The season concludes with the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture in Kells running from Thursday 5th November to Sunday 8th November. Celebrating the harvest traditions at the heart of Samhain, the festival brings together producers, chefs, artists, storytellers and communities for a packed programme of food experiences, talks, tastings, demonstrations and cultural events.
Ireland Home of Halloween – a collaborative all-island initiative
The Boyne Valley is proud to be one of seven Home of Halloween destinations. Now in its second year, Ireland Home of Halloween is a collaborative all-island initiative led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland, celebrating the island’s connection to the ancient festival of Samhain through festivals and visitor experiences inspired by Halloween’s origins.
Speaking about the Home of Halloween 2026, Paul Mockler, Head of Business, Festivals and Major Sporting Events, Fáilte Ireland said,
“We’re pleased to support the Boyne Valley as part of Ireland Home of Halloween. The success of the programme in 2025 demonstrated the strong appeal of authentic Halloween experiences rooted in Ireland’s traditions and folklore. This year, visitors from home and overseas will have even more reasons to explore destinations across the island during the autumn season. By working in partnership with local authorities and communities, we’re showcasing the very best of our cultural heritage, creating distinctive visitor experiences that will encourage travel beyond the traditional peak season, generate economic benefits for local areas and support sustainable tourism growth.”
Together, Spirits of Meath, Lú Festival of Light, Púca Festival and the Samhain Festival of Food & Culture create a Halloween season that celebrates the heritage, culture, food and folklore of the Boyne Valley across five weeks of events and experiences.
Boyne Valley Home of Halloween is delivered in partnership, and would like to acknowledge The Centre of Food Culture Ireland, Boyne Valley Tourism Members, Love Drogheda BID, The Cottage Market and Visual Spectrum.
For full programme details visit www.boynevalleyhomeofhalloween.ie
