Brace yourselves for a weekend of masterful craic as Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival returns to transform the city into a playground for deadly adventures.
Across four days and nights, audiences can look forward to sinking their fangs into spectacles which include live horror podcasts, cult cinema experiences, some unnerving theatre, hands-on creativity and free family fun in venues and public spaces throughout Dublin.
Highlights include Macnas’ spectacular Fiáin parade, live horror podcast Petrified, acclaimed horror theatre Stitch, camp-classic cinema, food, fashion, free family fun and creative experiences. Here are some suggestions to help add a dash of Samhain to those all-important October Bank Holiday weekend plans.
Petrified Live
The award-winning Irish horror podcast Petrified takes to the stage for a brand-new live episode, featuring its signature storytelling and spine-tingling scares. Audiences are also invited to stay for a Q&A with creators Peter Dunne and Liam Geraghty, alongside the cast afterwards.
Stitch
Fresh from an acclaimed run at Cork Midsummer Festival, Stitch brings its sinister take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein to Dublin, Written and performed by Irene Kelleher, this unsettling theatrical horror explores what happens when the lines between monster and maker begin to blur. Described as ‘Sinister, unsettling and unrelentingly atmospheric’, we’re advised that this play is not for the faint-hearted.
Stokerland
One of Dublin’s favourite family events returns with a gloriously Gothic playground for little monsters and their families. Expect live performances, storytelling, street theatre, creative play, face-painting, curious characters and the ever-popular Victorian-style carousel.
Saturday 24 – Monday 26 October at St Patrick’s Park, Dublin 8
Dracula (1958) 4K Restoration
Horror fans can catch a rare screening of Hammer Horror’s iconic Dracula, starring Christopher Lee as the Count and Peter Cushing as Van Helsing. The newly restored director’s cut features long-lost footage returned to the film for the first time in decades, offering a fresh look at this landmark of British horror.
Sunday 25 October at the Light House Cinema
Macnas Parade: Fiáin
Feast your eyes on the spectacular parade from internationally renowned street theatre company Macnas, as inspired by the wild elements of the West of Ireland, Fiáin brings giant visual theatre, music, performance and storytelling to the streets of Dublin’s North East Inner City.
Monday 26th October, North East Inner City
Dracula’s Disco
Presented in partnership with The Ark, Dracula’s Disco returns for an afternoon of spooky tunes, dancing and ghoulish surprises for little ones and grown-ups alike. Perfect for ages 4+, families are invited to dress up, hit the dance floor and join Count Dracula’s Resident DJ for a Halloween disco.
Monday 26th October at The Round Room at The Mansion House
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Blood, Guts & Black Pudding
Author Kate Ryan and chef Andrew Rudd explore Ireland’s centuries-old tradition of blood pudding, discussing its place in Irish food culture and why it deserves to be celebrated. The event will finish with a tasting of black pudding from Dublin producers.
Monday 26th October at The Old Irish Times Building
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Sip and Sculpt – The Spooky Edit
Modern day Dublin creatives are also invited to sip and sculpt their way into the spooky spirit courtesy of a specially themed Sip and Sculpt session in Smithfield.
Transport yourself to This Must Be The Place for a BYOB night of pottery, drinks, music, and games with some great prizes in store, as Alternative Dublin helps participants breathe new life into some old masterpieces. No experience needed – just bring all the bloody minded creativity you can muster and a willingness to sink your teeth in.
Part of the Night Bites section of Dublin City Council Bram Stoker Festival’s after-dark series, the event is presented in association with the Night-Time Economy Advisor. 6pm, Mon Oct 26th. Tickets €10 + Booking fee.
Monday 26th October at This Must Be The Place, Dublin 8
The Bram Stoker Festival runs from Friday October 23rd to Monday October 26th. For the full programme and ticket information, visit their website.
It’s gonna be a scream.
