Bram Stoker Festival 2026

The Bram Stoker Festival is Dublin’s official Halloween festival, marking the city’s connection to the creator of Dracula, who was born at 15 Marino Crescent in Clontarf in 1847. It runs over the October bank holiday weekend, Friday 23 to Monday 26 October 2026, various times, at various venues across the city. It is brought to life by Dublin City Council and produced by Schweppe Curtis Nunn, with support from RTÉ Arts, and is billed as one of Dublin’s biggest festivals.

What to expect

The festival’s own site describes four days and nights of “deadly adventures”, with events and activities for both Gothic enthusiasts and families. As of mid-September, the 2026 programme itself had not yet been published: the festival’s site says “our 2026 programme will be announced in late September”. In past years the mix has run from free outdoor spectacles to ticketed indoor and immersive events, so expect a similar shape again, with full details confirmed closer to the date at bramstokerfestival.com. The festival leans into Stoker’s Gothic legacy rather than a generic costume-party Halloween, aiming for genuine atmosphere over the bank holiday weekend.

Getting there

Events are spread across various venues in Dublin city centre; exact locations are confirmed with the 2026 programme once it is published in late September.

While you’re in Dublin

The festival makes a good excuse for a longer bank holiday weekend in the city, with plenty to fill the days around it, from Stoker’s own Clontarf birthplace to the rest of the city centre’s Halloween atmosphere. There is more to see across Co. Dublin.

Good to know

• Friday 23 to Monday 26 October 2026, various times

• Various venues across Dublin city centre

• Most outdoor events are free; some ticketed indoor and immersive events are added once the programme lands

• Booking: via the festival website once the programme is live

• Details from the Bram Stoker Festival official site, checked 14 September 2026