Spider-Man Tag & Run
Dublin | 11th October, 2026

Spider-Man swings into Kidspace Rathcoole for a special Tag & Run Challenge, where children collect a TAG wristband before racing around the playcentre to find interactive game points and score as many points as possible. The morning also includes a sweet pancake brunch for every child, a meet and greet with Spider-Man and full access to the 10,000 sq ft indoor playcentre.

Halloween Day Festival
Wexford | Until 31st October, 2026

Secret Valley Wildlife Park opens its Halloween Day Festival this weekend, combining the park's animals and activities with a Monsters' Woodland Walk, Witches' Village and a huge pumpkin patch where each child can choose a small pumpkin to take home.

New for 2026 is a Trick-or-Treat Hunt with five treats for each child. Admission also includes keeper talks, animal activities, a tractor ride, Adventure Hunt, playgrounds and Halloween photo opportunities.

For adults and thrill-seekers, Secret Valley also hosts Cornmaze Massacre on selected nights from 16th October, with more than 10 scare zones, live actors, haunted woodlands and a giant corn maze.

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children
Galway | 9th - 18th October, 2026

Baboró opens in Galway this weekend with a packed programme of theatre, music, film, visual art, storytelling and hands-on workshops created for children and families.

Opening weekend events range from performances and family films to storytime, music and creative workshops, with activities available for everyone from babies and toddlers to older children and teenagers. The festival continues across Galway until 18th October.

Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival
Limerick | Until 10th October, 2026

Bualadh Bos Children’s Festival heads into its final weekend with theatre, magic, poetry, storytelling, dance and film for children and families at venues across Limerick. Joe the Magician performs on Friday evening, while Saturday includes Laugh Out Loud Poetry Hour, Wandering Stories with Sinéad O’Brien, FLIP and a screening of Labyrinth to close the festival.

The Lit Festival
Waterford | 9th - 11th October, 2026

The Lit Festival returns to Waterford for its ninth year with three days of reading, writing, poetry, performance and creative workshops, curated by young people for young people.

The weekend programme features writers, poets, illustrators and performers including Mikey Cullen, Ruth Ennis, Ellen Ryan, Joanne McCarthy, Niamh Fennessy, Sarah Bowie and Darren Yorke, alongside open mic events, Dungeons & Dragons, workshops and activities for younger readers aged eight to 12.

Pumpkins After Dark
Dublin | Until 31st October, 2026

Pumpkins After Dark returns to Newbridge House & Farm for Halloween, with thousands of illuminated hand-carved pumpkins transforming a 1km outdoor trail through the grounds.

Visitors can expect brand-new displays for 2026, live pumpkin carving, entertainment, interactive photo opportunities and seasonal food and treats. The experience is suitable for all ages, with plenty of Halloween atmosphere but no jump scares.