The Pumpkin and Fun Family Halloween Festival at Navan Adventure Centre. Photo: Spirits Of Meath Halloween Festival.

Top picks for last-minute Halloween fun for everyone!

Published: Fri 27 Oct 2023, 10:07 AM

Hannah McNamara

Searching for some last minute spooky fun this Halloween? Look no further, the Spirits of Meath Festival has got you covered.

The Boyne Valley has long been considered as the home of Halloween. According to legend, Samhain, the ancient Celtic Festival that we now call Halloween, originated at Tlachtga (also known as the Hill of Ward) in the Boyne Valley!

So what better way to celebrate Halloween than a trip to the Boyne Valley to experience the Spirits of Meath Festival 2023 which will run from the 6th October to 6th November.

This year’s line-up is full of exciting events and activities that will definitely appeal to all age groups.

With tickets still available for the Funtasia Pumpkin Patch Festival on 28th, 29th and 30th October, head down to Funtasia Theme Park, Drogheda and hop aboard the enchanting pumpkin express. When you arrive, you can hand-pick your pumpkin before you carve and decorate it. You can also visit the arts and crafts area, play games, win prizes, indulge in an array of themed treats and capture the memories with a Halloween-themed photo opportunity. Prices: €9.90 (with pumpkin) / €6.90 (no pumpkin).

For today and tomorrow only, Funtasia Theme Park will also be hosting an electrifying evening of family-friendly thrills at Funtasia’s Family Halloween Waterpark Party. Get ready to groove to the beats of the dynamic DJ, as the waterpark transforms into a mesmerizing wonderland with a fusion of vibrant lights, swirling mist, and pulsating music, which you won’t want to miss. €19.50 per ticket.

Pooka Spooka at Causey Farm will be taking place on 28th - 31st October and is guaranteed to be a great day of Halloween fun for the young (and the not so young). Throughout the day you can get involved in games and crafts, get aboard the hay-ride and check out the pumpkin-carving demonstration. To really get a scare try the story telling and tunnel of terror! €14 per person. Children under 2 free of charge.

Pooka Spooka at Causey Farm. Photo: Spirits Of Meath Halloween Festival.

The Pumpkin and Fun Family Halloween Festival will take place at Navan Adventure Centre on 28th - 31st October with some of the activities included being a family fun comedy variety show, pumpkin carving area, Halloween disco, adventure obstacle course, mini golf and pedal go-karting! Kids €18 pp. (Early bird price €16 pp, limited early bird tickets). Adults €11 pp. (Early bird price €10 pp, limited early bird tickets). €3 booking fee (per booking transaction, not per ticket).

Lú Festival of Light in Drogheda will run over two long weekends, this weekend (27th – 31st October) and next weekend (2nd – 4th of November). It will shine a light on the myths and legends from our shared mythological past. Learn about the stories of Amergin, Aengus & Caer, Boainn, Fionn and the Salmon of Knowledge, and Lugh of the Long Arm. The stories will be brought to life over eight days of stunning illuminations that will light up the Old Abbey, St Peters Church and Laurence’s Gate using the latest digital technology. The festival will also host live street performance, together with family friendly entertainment.

Aerial shot of St Peter’s Church lit up at last year’s Lú Festival of Light, Drogheda.

Ireland's largest Halloween interactive theatrical experience has returned with some new haunt experiences. Farmaphobia boasts five amazing and diverse haunts and a team of over 200 actors who will push your nerves to the limit. The Halloween experience at Causey Farm will take place until 2nd November. Journey through the five horrifying haunts spread over 100 Acres of Fear, with eerie corners, blood-curdling frights and ghoulish entertainers. Farmaphobia doesn't limit their scaretainment to just the haunts, meet some of the Farmaphobia friends roaming around the farm. The experience would not be complete without the return of DJ Spooks who will be performing nightly. For more info or to book your tickets go to https://farmaphobia.com/.

One of the five horrifying haunts this year, ‘The Cult’. Photo: Farmaphobia (Facebook)

Experience a thrilling and spine-tingling Halloween season at Emerald Park with the ‘Tricky Trail' and ‘Emerald Park After Dark' events. The Tricky Trail family treasure hunt is set to immerse families in a world of spooky stories, eccentric experiments and captivating entertainment. Entry to the Tricky Trail is included free with all ticket prices on 28th October- 1st November from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Dare to conquer the legendary "Big Eight" attractions at the park's night event. After Dark takes place on 28th and 29th October from 6:30 PM until 10:00 PM. Price: General Admission - €17 and Members - €12. For more information visit https://www.emeraldpark.ie/events/after-dark.

Emerald Park 'Tricky Trail' event. Photo: Emerald Park

The Otherworld will take place at Loughcrew Estate from the 28th – 30th October. The event will feature spooky Samhain walks as “the Soul Guide” Bartle D’Arcy brings visitors through the veil to the Otherworld – a place where all is not what it seems, and from which some never leave…Nightly tours will take place at 6pm, 7pm, 8pm and 9pm. Book online at https://loughcrew.com/.

Otherworld organiser and soul guide, Bartle D’Arcy.

Of course it wouldn’t be Halloween without the Púca Festival, which is returning from today, 27th October until the 31st, in various locations across Trim and Athboy. The festival will be five days of music, feasting and much more. Headliners for this year include Niall Breslin, Mack Fleetwood, Jason Byrne, The Waterboys, Damien Dempsey, Macy Gray, and much more! Visit: www.pucafestival.com.