If you are like me, you have probably spent the last fews days taking down decorations from the attic, smearing fake blood on the windows and putting skeletons in the garden (when did this all start?).
Although this week sees the launch of Halloween events and activities around the country, we're going to give you some ideas for things to do this weekend in Ireland that don't include ghosts or ghouls.
If you want a frightfully good day out, you can check out our 51 things to do this Halloween in Ireland guide.
Have fun!
1) Baboró: International Arts Festival for Children
Now in its 22nd year, Baboró International Arts Festival for Children is bursting with theatre, dance, music, exhibitions, film and literature as well as talks and workshops for children and adults, from 15th - 21st October. Events over the weekend include The Colour Factory, Weird Science workshop, Night Light and Nosferatu.
2) Seal Rescue Ireland
Courtown Seal Rescue Centre will host a Spooky Splash Halloween party over the next two weekends with all proceeds going to the seal hospital. There will be lots of family fun with pumpkin carving, face painting, scavenger hunts, Halloween themed crafts and games, guided tours and more.
3) Foxford Trad Festival
The 4th Foxford Traditional Weekend takes place from the 18 - 21st with a weekend of traditional Irish music, master classes, workshops, sean-nós dance competitions, music sessions and lots more.
4) Imagine Arts Festival
The 17th annual festival features over 100 events over 10 days including live performances, exhibitions and interactive performances and music in Waterford City.
5) Conamara Sea Week
Conamara Sea Week celebrates the wonderful marine heritage of Connemara with music workshops, art exhibitions, concerts, talks, walks, children’s activities, sports events and more. Events this weekend include Luka Bloom in Kylemore Abbey and a free Family Fun Day on Sunday.
6) Belfast International Arts Festival
Belfast International Arts Festival runs until November 3rd with a world-class programme of theatre, performance art, visual art, dance and music. Events this weekend include a showing of Ian McKellen’s King Lear, the Maggini Quartet, Tony Walsh and more.
7) Wexford Fringe Festival
Wexford Fringe is a vibrant annual festival of music, art, drama and culture with something for everybody, offering an eclectic mix of over 300 events over 17 days including cabaret, comedy, circus, dance, film, theatre, puppetry, music, and visual art, many of which are free to attend.
8) Bualadh Bos Children's Festival
Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival captures the imagination of young audiences in Limerick with magical theatre in the Lime Tree & The Belltable, book readings, talks, interactive workshops and more.
Performances this weekend includes Science Magic Show and The Speks.
9) Kerry Film Festival
The Kerry Film Festival is an internationally recognised film festival which takes place this weekend in Killarney with outstanding short and feature films including the Irish premieres of Melody Makers and Mad Hannans as well as screenings of Thunder Road, Metal Heart and more.
10) Tradoodle
Tradoodle concludes this weekend in Monaghan with A Winter Wish in the Garage Theatre, Suantraí musical lullabies in various libraries and you can still visit the Jigsto Jacobites exhibition, a stunning collection of illustrations by Mick McCabe in Iontas.
11) CranaFest
Returning to Swan's Park, Buncrana, the adrenaline-pumping Crana Fest takes place this weekend with races, coaching sessions and rafting. The festival has activities for everyone with a special rate white-water rafting that would suit all the family.
12) Children are Stinky
This exciting kid's comedy- winners of the Children’s Choice Award at Edinburgh Fringe - visits Siamsa Tire in Tralee on Saturday morning. Expect daredevil stunts, incredible acrobatics, lighting fast hula hoops and loads of laughs.
13) Inspectorium: Weird and Wonder Beasts
What creature has no teeth but a tongue as long as your arm? Drop into the Discovery Zone in Natural History Museum on Saturday from 11am - 1pm to learn about some weird and wonderful beasts and touch skulls from the handling collection.
Three things to do next week:
1) Funderland, Belfast
The Titanic Quarter will again host the annual Funderland event in Belfast from October 24th to November 4th with all the usual thrills and spills to keep everyone entertained.
2) Cork Jazz Festival
The October Bank Holiday weekend in Cork can only mean one thing! The Cork Jazz festival headline acts include Blind Boys of Alabama, China Moses, the Stanley Clarke Band and everything from ska to swing, jazz to brass.
3) Westport Arts Festival
The 43rd festival runs for six days from Wednesday, 24th October to Monday, 29th October and offers a selection of events and activities to appeal to all ages and tastes.
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