Upcoming events.
Santa’s House Express
🚂 Santa’s House Express
📍 Palmerstown House Estate, Johnstown, Kill, Co. Kildare
📅 Select dates | 28th November – 23rd December 2025 (Check website)
All aboard the Santa’s House Express, one of Ireland’s best-loved Christmas attractions! Begin your journey in the magical Departure Lounge, meet cheerful elves, sing with dancing reindeer, and soak up the festive buzz before boarding the Santa Train.
Your train ride brings you through twinkling woodlands to Santa’s Manor, where families enjoy an immersive, interactive visit with Santa — complete with an eco-friendly cuddly toy for every child. A fully festive adventure from start to finish!
🔗 More info & booking: santashouseexpress.ie
Passport to Christmas at the Irish National Stud
🎄 Passport to Christmas at the Irish National Stud
📍 Brallistown Little, Tully, Co. Kildare, R51 AP20
📅 Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays | 29th November – 23rd December 2025
Step into the festive village at the Irish National Stud & Gardens for an enchanting family adventure! Children receive their very own Christmas Passport and collect stamps as they journey through themed festive zones filled with magic, lights, characters and treats.
Enjoy Christmas scenes, mini fairground rides, storytelling moments and wintry surprises before finishing your journey with a special visit to Santa in his beautifully decorated grotto. A perfect day out to spark wonder and festive excitement!
🔗 More info & booking: irishnationalstud.ie
Santa’s Christmas Adventure – Kildare Farm Foods
🎅 Santa’s Christmas Adventure – Kildare Farm Foods
📍 Kildare Farm Foods, Rathmuck, Co. Kildare
📅 Check website for dates and times
Make magical memories at Santa’s Christmas Adventure at Kildare Farm Foods! Explore the open farm, meet Rudolph and his friends, hop aboard the Farm Shop Express and enjoy a festive virtual rollercoaster trip all the way to the North Pole.
Every child receives a personalised gift from Santa, and the whole family can enjoy a cheerful, relaxed Christmas experience surrounded by friendly animals and seasonal displays.
🔗 More info & booking: kildarefarmfoods.com
Sunday Fairs Vintage Treasures
🧺 Newbridge Town Vintage Fair – Weekly Event
📍 Newbridge Town Hall (St Conleth’s Hall), Main Street, Newbridge, Co. Kildare, W12 C652
📅 Every Sunday: 7, 14, 21 & 28 December 2025 | 4, 11 & 18 January 2026
🕒 10:30am – 4:00pm
💸 Admission €1 (proceeds go to local charities)
Step back in time and discover a treasure trove of antiques, vintage finds, collectibles, arts and crafts at the much-loved Newbridge Town Vintage Fair. Held every Sunday, this lively market brings together a fantastic mix of stallholders and local traders offering unique pieces you won’t find on the high street.
Whether you’re a seasoned collector, a casual browser, or just looking for a relaxed Sunday outing, the Vintage Fair is a great way to support local businesses while uncovering something special.
🔗 More info & trader bookings: dublinfairs.ie
📞 Contact: 087 330 9867
Christmas Larchill Artisan Market
Christmas Larchill Craft & Artisan Market
📍 Venue: Larchill Gardens Kilcock Co. Meath W23Y44P
📅 Date: Sunday December 14th
🕖 Time: 11am 3pm
🎟️ Tickets:
More info: Larchill Gardens
Sleigh Ride – Christmas Show (Moat Theatre, Naas)
Sleigh Ride – The Christmas Concert Spectacular
Time to rock around the Christmas tree and kick off the festive season in the best possible way with Sleigh Ride – The Christmas Concert Spectacular at the Moat Theatre. This feel-good Christmas show brings all the magic of the season to life, featuring much-loved festive favourites including All I Want for Christmas Is You, Last Christmas, Jingle Bell Rock, White Christmas, Merry Christmas Everybody, Let It Snow and many more – guaranteed to have you singing along from start to finish.
Location:
Moat Theatre, Abbey Street, Naas, Co. Kildare
Date & Time:
Check website for performance date and time
Tickets:
€30 per ticket + €1.50 booking fee
Website / Booking:
https://www.moattheatre.com/shows/sleigh-ride-christmas-2025
Winter Wonderland at Barretstown
Barretstown Winter Wonderland 2025
A magical festive weekend for all ages, featuring Santa’s Grotto, live performances, a Christmas market, delicious seasonal treats, and plenty of family fun in the beautiful surroundings of Barretstown Castle.
Location: Barretstown Castle, Co. Kildare
Dates: Saturday 22nd & Sunday 23rd November, 2025
Time: Various sessions throughout the day
More Info / Booking: Visit Barretstown’s website for grotto bookings, session times, and full event details (booking essential for Santa’s Grotto).
🖼️ Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing
🖼️ Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing
📍 McKenna Gallery, Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
📅 Saturday 1st November – Tuesday 23rd December 2025
🕒 Mon–Fri: 9:30am–5pm | Sat: 10am–3pm | Official Opening: Sat 1st Nov at 6pm
💸 Admission Free
Celebrate 15 years of Emerging Visual Art in County Kildare with this landmark exhibition, Pattern Recognition: Architectures of Seeing.
Presented by Kildare County Council Arts Service and Riverbank Arts Centre, this special anniversary showcase brings together fifteen talented artists who have each contributed to Kildare’s rich visual arts landscape through their first major solo exhibitions.
Curated by Paula Barrett, the exhibition explores how we perceive and interpret images — weaving together memory, rhythm, and technology in an unfolding conversation between human and machine perception. Expect a fascinating mix of media and ideas that challenge us to see not just more, but more deeply.
✨ Featuring works by: Martina McDonald, Noel Hensey, Brian Cregan, Mary-Jo Gilligan, Isobel Egan, Denis Kelly, Marta Golubowska, Brenda Kearney, Michelle McBride, Caoimhe McGuckin, Shane Hynan, Katie Whyte, Gavin Casey, Kym Tracey, and Fiyin Oluokun.
🎨 Special events:
Kildare Artists Lightning Talks
Under the Banner Of workshop with Mary-Jo Gilligan
📷 Image credit: Michelle McBride
🔗 More info: riverbank.ie
Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast – Talk with Edward J. Bourke
📚 Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast – Talk with Edward J. Bourke
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 7 January 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
💸 All welcome
Kick-start the new year with a fascinating evening of maritime history as Cill Dara Historical Society welcomes scholar, scientist, historian and author Edward J. Bourke. Edward will speak about Volume Three of his acclaimed Shipwrecks of the Irish Coast series, widely regarded as the most comprehensive work ever published on Irish shipwrecks.
This landmark publication is an invaluable resource for historians, researchers and divers alike, offering extraordinary insights into Ireland’s dramatic maritime past and the stories hidden beneath our coastal waters. Expect a thought-provoking and engaging talk, with plenty to interest both long-standing members and newcomers.
☕ Everyone is welcome — members, guests and anyone with an interest in local history are invited to join for an evening of learning, conversation and community.
Cill Dara Historical Society AGM
📋 Cill Dara Historical Society AGM
📍 Silken Thomas, Kildare Town
📅 Wednesday 14 January 2026
🕒 8:00pm
The Annual General Meeting of Cill Dara Historical Society takes place on Wednesday 14 January at the Silken Thomas. Members are warmly invited to attend, reflect on the year past, and take part in discussions shaping the society’s activities for the year ahead.
This is an important evening for the society and an opportunity for members, new and long-standing, to engage with the ongoing work of preserving and promoting the rich history of Kildare Town and its hinterland.
A Night to Remember – Kildare Town Through Poetry, Songs & Stories
🎭 A Night to Remember – Kildare Town Through Poetry, Songs & Stories
📍 KTC, Kildare Town
📅 Friday 30 January 2026
🕒 Doors open 7:15pm | Event begins 8:00pm
💸 Tickets €10
Join Cill Dara Historical Society for a very special cultural evening celebrating Kildare Town through poetry, music and storytelling. Featuring a range of local artists, this event brings history to life through personal memories, creative expression and shared community heritage.
An engaging and atmospheric night that blends arts and history, A Night to Remember promises an entertaining and meaningful experience, while supporting local voices and stories connected to Kildare Town.
The Patron Saints of Medieval Ireland
📖 The Patron Saints of Medieval Ireland
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 11 February 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Cill Dara Historical Society is delighted to welcome Dr Elizabeth Dawson, lecturer in medieval history at Carlow College, for an insightful talk on the patron saints of medieval Ireland.
This lecture explores the role of saints in shaping medieval Irish identity, belief and local tradition, offering a deeper understanding of how these figures influenced religious, social and cultural life across Ireland. A must-attend evening for anyone interested in medieval history and Ireland’s spiritual heritage.
Tales from a Drowned Valley – The Flooding of the Blessington Lake
📜 Tales from a Drowned Valley – The Flooding of the Blessington Lake
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 4 March 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Historian and author Dr Séamus Cullen recounts the powerful story behind the creation of Blessington Lake and the communities forever changed by its flooding. Through meticulous research and compelling narrative, this talk brings forward the human stories behind one of the most dramatic landscape transformations in the region.
A poignant exploration of memory, loss and local history, this talk will resonate with anyone interested in social history and place.
From Rebel County to Ravensbrück Camp: The Remarkable Story of Kate McCarthy
📚 From Rebel County to Ravensbrück Camp: The Remarkable Story of Kate McCarthy
📍 Kildare Education Support Centre (The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town, R51 KN66
📅 Wednesday 1 April 2026
🕒 Cuppa & Chat from 7:15pm | Talk begins at 8:00pm
Join historian and author Catherine Fleming for the extraordinary story of Kate McCarthy, whose life journey took her from Cork to one of the most notorious concentration camps of the Second World War.
This deeply moving talk sheds light on resilience, survival and the often-forgotten Irish connections to global historical events.
A Storytime Show With Santa Claus & Helena the Storyteller
A Storytime Show With Santa Claus & Helena the Storyteller
📍 Venue: Larchill Gardens Kilcock Co. Meath W23Y44P
📅 Date: Saturday 13th December
🕖 Time: 11am 2pm
🎟️ Tickets: Child €12, Adults €5, Family €30
More info: Larchill Gardens
Special Christmas Car Boot Sale
Special Christmas Car Boot Sale
📍 Venue: Larchill Gardens Kilcock Co. Meath W23Y44P
📅 Date: Sunday 7th December
🕖 Time: 11am 3pm
🎟️ Tickets: €2 entry, €15 far a stall outside, €20 in the barn, €25 in the cafe
More info: Larchill Gardens
🎢 Emerald Park Jingle Fest Package
🎢 Emerald Park Jingle Fest Package
📍 Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth, Co. Kildare
📅 Saturday 6th & Saturday 13th December 2025 | Santa visits at 1:40pm & 2:40pm
Make magical family memories this Christmas with the Emerald Park Jingle Fest Package at the 4-star Glenroyal Hotel, Maynooth.
Enjoy a full day of festive fun at Emerald Park’s Jingle Fest — from thrilling rides and live shows to heartwarming Christmas activities and a special visit with Santa Claus (complete with a gift for every child 🎅).
After the park, the festive spirit continues back at the hotel! Little ones can join the Little Explorers Kids Club while parents unwind with a dip in the pool or a well-earned cocktail in the Arkle Bar. Later, enjoy a delicious 3-course dinner at the award-winning Enclosure Restaurant, followed by a cozy Christmas movie night for the kids.
Wake up refreshed to a hearty full Irish breakfast the next morning — the perfect end to a magical family getaway.
🎁 Package Includes:
One-night family accommodation
Full-day admission to Emerald Park’s Jingle Fest (with Santa visit & gift)
3-course dinner for 2 adults & 2 kids
Access to the Little Explorers Kids Club
Goody bags for children
Full Irish breakfast
Leisure Club access (family & adult pools, sauna, jacuzzi & steam room)
Free parking (EV charging available)
🌟 Limited availability — pre-booking required!
🔗 More info & booking: glenroyalhotel.ie
The Origin of The Christmas Story
🎄 The Origins of the Christmas Story❄️
📍 What: A talk about the origins of the Christmas Story, journey through Texts, traditions and time, with professor Salvador Ryan, professor of Ecclesiastical history.
📍 Where: Kildare Education Support Centre(The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town R51KN66
📍 When: Wednesday December 2025- Talk begins at 8:00pm with ‘Cuppa and Chat’ from 7:15pm
📍 Booking: No booking needed
Part of Cill Dara Historical Society
New members welcome!
Wreath Making Workshop
Wreath Making Workshop
📍 Venue: Larchill Gardens Kilcock Co. Meath W23Y44P
📅 Date: Saturday 19th of November 2025
🕖 Time: 11am 1pm
🎟️ Tickets: 70€
More info: Larchill Gardens
Rescue Doggy Calendar Launch Night & Pub Quiz in Aid of KWWSPCA
Rescue Doggy Calendar Launch Night & Pub Quiz in Aid of KWWSPCA
📍 Venue: Fallons Bar & Café, Main Street, Kilcullen (R56 W597)
📅 Date: Friday, 28th November 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: Available at eventbrite.
🚗 Free parking available
🔞 Ages: 18+
🔁 Refunds: Up to 7 days before the event
🐾 Category: Community & Fundraising Events
🏷️ Tags: KWWSPCA, Fundraiser, Pub Quiz, Kilcullen Events, Community Night, Animal Welfare
Get ready for a paws-itively fun night out in aid of the Kildare & West Wicklow SPCA! 🐶
Join us at Fallons Bar & Café for the official launch of the Rescue Doggy Calendar, followed by a lively pub quiz packed with great questions, prizes, and laughter — all in support of local rescue animals.
Gather your team, grab a drink, and help raise funds for a fantastic cause. Every table makes a difference to the animals cared for by KWWSPCA. 💚
Crash Ensemble Presents Strings in the Air
Crash Ensemble Presents Strings in the Air
📅 Wednesday 19th November, 2025 – 8:00pm
💶 Tickets: €15 / €18
🎟️ Book Now - Visit the Riverbank website
Crash Ensemble is Ireland’s leading new music ensemble; a group of world-class musicians who play the most adventurous, ground-breaking music of today. Amazingly ordinary people doing extraordinary things – Crash is innovative, adventurous and ambitious.
Show length: 55 minutes, no interval
E. 1027 Eileen Gray and The House by the Sea
E. 1027 Eileen Gray and The House by the Sea
📅 Monday 17thth November, 2025 – 8:00pm
💶 Tickets: €5 - €9
🎟️ Book Now - Visit the Riverbank website
This docu-fiction explores the life and relationships of famed Irish artist and architect Eileen Gray. Using a mix of documentary footage and recreation, it focuses in particular on the history of her dream house on the Riviera – E.1027. Initially built for Gray and her lover Jean Badovici in the late 1920s, the house goes through dramatic changes over the years – including when Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier becomes fascinated with Gray’s creation. Obsessed with the building, Le Corbusier takes dramatic steps to claim E.1027 as his own.
Directed by Beatrice Minger & Christoph Schaub | 90 mins | Cert 12A | English and French with English subtitles
Emma Doran – Emmaculate
Emma Doran - Emmaculate
📅 Saturday 8th November, 2025 – 8:00pm
💶 Tickets: €18 / €20
🎟️ Book Now - Visit the Riverbank website
Smash hit Irish comedian, best-selling author, podcast host and viral online star Emma Doran hits the road once again taking her brand-new stand-up show Emmaculate across the UK and Ireland in 2025/26.
There's no such thing as a perfect family, but Emma wouldn't want one anyway...
The many trials and tribulations of Emma’s blended family are laid bare in this witty, rambunctious show from one of Ireland’s most beloved stand-ups. Strap in for a night to remember, jam-packed with razor-sharp observations, riotous on-stage antics and conspiratorial gossipmongering.
Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh & Seán Mac Erlaine
Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh & Seán Mac Erlaine
📅 Friday 7th November, 2025 – 8:00pm
💶 Tickets: €18 / €20
🎟️ Book Now at: www.riverbank.ie or click here.
Two of Ireland’s most captivating contemporary folk artists, Caoimhín O’Raghallaigh and Seán Mac Erlaine, join forces to celebrate their new duo album Jeu de Plomb.
Blending traditional roots with experimental soundscapes, their music is both deeply Irish and daringly original. Expect an unforgettable evening of haunting strings, woodwinds, and immersive live electronics — a spellbinding journey through the evolving voice of modern folk.
Belfast Girls Presented by An Táin Arts Centre & Quintessence Theatre
Belfast Girls
Presented by An Táin Arts Centre & Quintessence Theatre
📅 Wednesday 5th November, 2025 – 8:00pm
💶 Tickets: €18 / €20
🎟️ Book Now - Visit the Riverbank website or Click Here
Set in 1850, Belfast Girls follows five young women leaving Belfast aboard a ship bound for Australia in search of a better life. Confined together on their long voyage, secrets are revealed, bonds are forged, and each must face the truth that there is no escaping the past.
An award-winning feminist play by Dundalk writer Jaki McCarrick, Belfast Girls shines a light on a powerful, untold chapter of Irish history.
Directed by Rhiann Jeffrey.
Age Suitability: 14+
Warnings: Contains suggestion of sexual violence
Jail Escape
🚓Jail escapes: Great Irish Republican Escapes🏃♂️➡️
📍 What: A talk about the Great Irish republican escapes with James Durney, historian and author.
📍 Where: Kildare Education Support Centre(The Old Parochial House), Friary Road, Kildare Town R51KN66
📍 When: Wednesday 5th November 2025- Talk begins at 8:00pm with ‘Cuppa and Chat’ from 7:15pm
📍 Booking: No booking needed
Part of Cill Dara Historical Society
New members welcome!
The Neuroscience of Irish Trauma: Unraveling Mental Health in Ireland
The Neuroscience of Irish Trauma: Unraveling Mental Health in Ireland
📍 Venue: Moat Theatre & Café, Abbey Road, Naas
📅 Date: Monday, 3rd November 2025
🕖 Time: Doors open 7:00 p.m. | Talk starts 7:30 p.m. | Ends 9:30 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: Available via eventbrite.
🔁 Refund Policy: Refunds available up to 7 days before the event
Join Dr Michael Keane for an enlightening evening exploring how trauma reshapes the brain — affecting memory, emotion, and resilience. In this thought-provoking talk, Dr Keane will uncover the neuroscience behind trauma and recovery, drawing on two decades of brain imaging and unique insights into the Irish experience of trauma.
Discover how science is helping us understand mental health, and learn about the brain’s remarkable capacity for healing through new therapeutic and self-care approaches.
This in-person Seed Talks event includes time for a Q&A session, offering a rare opportunity to engage directly with a leading expert in behavioural neuroscience.
⭐ “Truly riveting talks — a great way to spend an evening with friends.” – Alexander P
⭐ “Expertly run, informative, and fun! 5 stars.” – Owen S
Follow @seedtalks on Instagram for updates.
Christmas Party 2025 – Your Best Life
🎄 Christmas Party 2025 – Your Best Life
📍 The Keadeen Hotel, Newbridge, Co. Kildare
📅 Saturday, 1st November 2025 | 3pm – 8pm
Get ready for the Christmas party of the year! Join Maura Derrane, James Patrice, and special guest Una Healy for an unforgettable festive celebration filled with sparkle, laughter, and Christmas magic.
Enjoy a dazzling afternoon of entertainment, delicious dining, live music, beauty and fashion masterclasses, pop-up shopping, giveaways, and party surprises galore — all in support of Breast Cancer Ireland.
✨ Expect fabulous gifts and vouchers from Homestore + More, Newbridge Silverware, Bare by Vogue and Codex Labs, plus festive fun from the moment you arrive: live tunes from The Loungeman, expert demos from Chef Adrian, and plenty of style inspiration to make your Christmas shine.
🎁 It’s not just a party — it’s a full-on Christmas fest!
🔗 More info & tickets: yourbestlifehub.com
The Dracula Story
🧛 A Dracula Story — by The Silken Thomas Players
Description:
Step into a chilling retelling of the classic vampire legend — but not as you’ve seen it before. In this haunting performance by the Silken Thomas Players, the tale of is brought to life in a visceral, immersive way where the shadows cast by the stage are as alive as the characters themselves. Expect flickering lights, eerie ambience, and moments that will make you question what lurks in the darkness.
A firm favourite among locals, this event has earned a reputation for its spine-tingling atmosphere and dramatic delivery — many return year after year for its thrills and community buzz.
Where:
(Beside Silken Thomas, Kildare Town)
When:
Multiple dates — check event listings for specific times.
Cost:
See booking link for ticket info.
Good to Know:
This performance features flashing lights — keep this in mind if you’re sensitive to light effects.
Audience participation and the immersive setup enhance the experience — come ready to be drawn into the story.
The performance venue is intimate: arriving early gives you the best chance of choosing your seat in the atmospheric Courthouse setting.
More Info / Book Now:
Eventbrite: A Dracula Story
Halloween Hoolie – Kildare Town Parade & Dance Party
Halloween Hoolie – Kildare Town Parade & Dance Party
Calling all witches, wizards, and spooky souls! Gather at The Square, Kildare Town this Thursday, 31st October at 7:00pm for a frightfully fun evening of music, dancing, and Halloween mayhem.
The night kicks off with DJ Owen Fagan setting the scene for a Witch’s Dance and a lively Halloween Parade through the town. Don your most creative costume—there are prizes for the best dressed! Everyone is welcome to join the fun and be part of this hauntingly good community celebration.
📅 Date & Time: Thursday, 31st October, 7:00pm
📍 Location: The Square, Kildare Town
🎶 Music by: DJ Owen Fagan
🎭 Activities: Parade • Witch’s Dance • Karaoke • Prizes for Best Dressed
For updates and more information, see the Hive Kildare Town facebook page
Celtic Banquet - Samhain a feast of story and song.
Samhain Celebration Banquet at The Inn at Milltown
📍 Venue: The Inn at Milltown
📅 Date: Friday, 31st October 2025
🕖 Time: 7:00 p.m.
🎟️ Tickets: €50 (includes 3-course meal)
📞 Booking: Tickets available from The Inn at Milltown or by calling 045 436042.
Join us this Samhain for a magical evening of music, storytelling, and poetry at The Inn at Milltown. Enjoy a delicious three-course banquet-style meal as local voices bring to life the legends and lore of Kildare — from the tales of Moll Anthony to other haunting local stories.
Featuring performances by Sionna, with storytellers and poets Mae Leonard, Mario Corrigan, and Pauline Clooney, this special event celebrates local talent, tradition, and community spirit.
For more information, contact Eimear Shannon at 086 3908438.
✨ Booking is essential — spaces are limited!
🎃 Halloween Fun in Athy! Pumpkin Carving Competition & Parade
Pumpkin Carving Competition & Parade – Athy
🎃 Pumpkin Carving Competition – Athy
Get ready for some frightfully good fun! Bring your carved pumpkin along, show it off on stage, and you could win a fang-tastic prize. Let your imagination glow and join in the spooky spirit! 👻
📍 Location: Athy Town
🕖 Date & Time: Friday 31st, time to be announced
ℹ️ Details: Visit the Athy Town Promoters Facebook page for updates and entry information.
✨ Halloween Parade & Light Show – Athy
Join the magic of Athy’s annual Halloween Parade! Enjoy drummers, dazzling lights, and a glowing procession of pumpkins in a fun-filled evening for all ages. A perfect way to celebrate Halloween night! 🎶🎃
📍 Location: Athy Town
🕖 Date & Time: Friday 31st , at 6.30pm
ℹ️ Details: Visit the Athy Town Promoters Facebook page for full event details and updates.
🎭 Market Scare on Market Square – Samhain Newbridge 2025
🎭 Market Scare on Market Square – Samhain Newbridge 2025
Description:
Join the heart of the Samhain Newbridge 2025 celebrations in Market Square, Newbridge! Enjoy an afternoon and evening filled with outdoor cinema, family fun, and the much-loved Samhain Procession & Fire Ceremony.
All events are free and open to everyone — a perfect community gathering to mark the turning of the seasons.
Where:
Market Square, Eyre Street, Newbridge
When:
Friday, 31 October 2025 — 2:30 PM to 7:30 PM
Cost:
Free | All ages welcome
Schedule:
🎬 2:30 PM – Hocus Pocus (Outdoor Screening)
A family-friendly Halloween favourite on the big screen! Bring a chair or blanket and come early to grab a good spot.
🌒 4:20 PM – Sleepy Hollow (Outdoor Screening)
As dusk falls, enjoy this gothic Tim Burton classic under the evening sky.
🔥 6:10 PM – Samhain Procession, Storytelling & Fire Ceremony
The highlight of the festival — join the community procession from George’s Street to Market Square, followed by live storytelling and the ceremonial Samhain Fire.
Good to Know:
Children must be supervised at all times.
Outdoor event — dress warmly and bring rain gear.
Traffic diversions may apply around Market Square (1:00–8:00 PM).
Extra fun (subject to confirmation): face painting & kids’ area from 2:30 PM.
Funding & Support:
Funded by the Department of Justice (Community Safety Innovation Fund) and supported by Kildare County Council (LPT Fund), Safer Newbridge, Riverbank Arts Centre, and June Fest.
For updates and more information go to : linktr.ee/SamhainNewbridge
Part of:
🎃 Samhain Newbridge 2025
Monasterevin Spook and Scare – Free Kids Halloween Event
Spook and Scare – Free Kids Halloween Event
Get ready for some Halloween fun in Monasterevin! The Monasterevin Community Centre is hosting a spooktacular afternoon filled with tricks, treats, and plenty of fun for children of all ages. Drop in anytime between 1pm and 7pm on Thursday, 31st October for a free family-friendly event that’s sure to bring lots of laughter and a few light-hearted scares!
🕐 Date & Time: Friday, 31st October, 1pm–7pm
📍 Location: Monasterevin Community Centre
💬 More Information: facebook.com/MonasterevinCommunityCentre1
👻 Free entry | Family fun | Local community event
Potion Workshop: The Magic of Taste
Potion Workshop: The Magic of Taste
Date: Thursday, 30th October
Time: 6:15pm
Location: Kildare Town Library
Step into Kildare Library this Halloween and unlock the secrets of flavour! In this interactive, alcohol-free cocktail demonstration, participants will explore how sweet, sour, bitter, salty, and umami flavours work together to cast a spell on the senses.
Hosted by drinks expert and TU Dublin lecturer Judith Boyle, this workshop promises smoky potions, eerie elixirs, and ghoulish drinks that prove you don’t need spirits to conjure a spellbinding beverage.
🎟️ Admission: Free — book your ticket at the library desk.
🦉 Bats in the Belfry & Things That Go Flap in the Night!
🦉 Bats in the Belfry & Things That Go Flap in the Night!
Description:
Join the Kildare Bat Group for a fascinating (and slightly spooky!) evening exploring the secret lives of bats, owls, and moths. Learn about Halloween myths, the magic of sound, and the mysteries of the night in this special Samhain Newbridge event.
Perfect for families, nature lovers, and anyone curious about the creatures that come alive after dark — it’s sure to be a thrilling hour of flaps, facts, and fun!
Where:
St Patrick’s Church of Ireland,
4 Moorefield Road, Newbridge, W12 HN15
When:
Thursday, 30 October 2025 — 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
(Doors open 5:40 PM)
Cost:
€4 per person
(Children under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian)
More Info:
Organised by June Fest Kildare book your tickets now, click here.
Part of:
🎃 Samhain Newbridge 2025
🎶 Inni-K – An Invitation to Sing
🎶 Inni-K – An Invitation to Sing
Description:
Join Inni-K (Eithne Ní Chatháin) for an uplifting and inclusive singing workshop celebrating both tradition and creativity. You’ll learn a traditional sean-nós song and one of Inni-K’s own compositions from her brand-new album — which she’ll be launching later that evening!
For those feeling brave, there’s even a chance to join Inni-K and her band on stage later in the night as a backing singer. Presented in Eithne’s trademark friendly and informal style, this workshop is open to everyone — no singing experience needed.
Fáilte roimh gach éinne / Everyone welcome!
Where:
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
When:
Thursday, 30 October 2025 — 5:30 PM
(Duration: 90 minutes)
Cost:
🎤 Workshop only — €10
🎟️ Workshop & Gig combo ticket — €25
More Info / Book Now:
Visit Riverbank Arts Centre
Part of:
🎃 Newbridge Samhain Festival 2025
Photo credit: Antonia Kenny
Watch : Tim Burtons Corpse Bride Film
💀 Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride
Description:
Step into Tim Burton’s beautifully eerie world with Corpse Bride, a stop-motion classic full of heart, humour, and hauntingly good visuals. Follow Victor, a young man accidentally whisked away to the underworld and wed to a mysterious Corpse Bride — while his true love waits in the land of the living.
With gothic charm, whimsical animation, and a story about love that transcends worlds, this is the perfect spooky-season cinema treat for all ages.
Where:
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
When:
Thursday, 30 October 2025 — 12:00 PM
Cost:
€4
Cert:
PG | 77 mins | English language
More Info / Book Now:
Visit Riverbank Arts Centre
Part of:
🎃 Newbridge Samhain Festival 2025
Presented in association with:
Access Cinema & Europa Cinemas
🐭 Halloween Felted Finger Puppet Fun! with Tamzen Lundy
🐭 Halloween Felted Finger Puppet Fun! with Tamzen Lundy
Description:
Join us for a spooktacular Wet Felt Making Workshop just for kids! In this fun, hands-on session, young crafters will learn how to make their very own felted finger puppet mice — perfect for Halloween play and storytelling.
No experience is needed, and all materials are provided. Expect creativity, a little bit of mess, and a lot of fun — plus, everyone gets to take home their very own mousey friend!
Where:
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
When:
Thursday, 30 October 2025 — Workshops at 10:00 AM & 12:00 PM
(Duration: 90 minutes)
Age:
7–12 years
Cost:
See booking link for details
More Info / Book Now:
Visit Riverbank Arts Centre
Part of:
🎃 Newbridge Samhain Festival 2025
🧶 Beginner Crochet for Adults – Halloween Pumpkin
🧶 Beginner Crochet for Adults – Halloween Pumpkin
Description:
Get into the spirit of the season with a cosy crochet evening! In this hands-on beginner workshop, you’ll learn the basics of crochet — from making simple stitches to reading an easy pattern — and use your new skills to create your very own handmade pumpkin.
Led by Helen Whiteley, a talented self-taught fibre artist with over a decade of experience in crocheting, knitting, weaving, and more, this relaxed session is perfect for absolute beginners. All materials will be provided, including extra yarn to practise with.
Where:
Riverbank Arts Centre, Newbridge
When:
Wednesday, 29 October 2025 — 7:00 PM
Cost:
€12
More Info / Book Now:
Book via Riverbank Arts Centre
Part of:
🎃 Newbridge Samhain Festival 2025
Halloween Spooktacular at the Irish National Stud!
Halloween Spooktacular at the Irish National Stud
📅 Dates: 28th – 31st October
🕒 Time: 11am – 3pm
📍 Location: Irish National Stud & Gardens
Bring the little ones along for a spooktacular family day out this Halloween! Packed with fun, games, and just the right amount of spooky surprises, this event is specially designed for younger visitors.
Meet the legendary Count Dracula, enjoy daily magic shows (1pm & 2:30pm) featuring Karl, Joe, and Bernardo the Magicians, and dive into Halloween games and mini challenges like Hook the Duck, Giant Jenga, Crazy Golf, and more. Take a whirl through the Spooky Tunnel—perfect for a little scare—and enjoy carnival treats like popcorn and candy floss while testing your skills at the inflatable games!
All your favourite attractions are open too—from meeting the Living Legends and exploring the Japanese Gardens and Fairy Trail, to discovering the award-winning Irish Racehorse Experience. Round off your visit with seasonal goodies and pumpkin spiced treats at the Japanese Gardens Café.
🎟️ All activities are included with general admission. Perfect for families and younger Halloween fans—book early to join the fun!
For more information and to book your ticket now click here.
Discovery Playtime - Halloween Camp
Discovery Playtime Halloween Camp
📅 Dates: 28th – 31st October 2025
🕒 Time: 9:30am – 1:30pm
📍 Locations: Naas & Newbridge, Co. Kildare
Let your little ones dive into four days of magical Halloween fun at the Discovery Playtime Halloween Camp! Designed for children aged 3–6, this imaginative camp is filled with creative play, spooky crafts, and sensory adventures.
Children will enjoy potion-making, messy sensory play, spooky arts and crafts, and storytelling adventures that spark curiosity, confidence, and creativity. Each day brings new opportunities for fun and discovery — all in a safe, playful, and engaging environment.
🎃 Spaces are limited, so early booking is advised.
🔗 For more details or to book, visit discoveryplaytime.ie/pages/camps.
🎶 Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir – With Guests
🎶 Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir – With Guests
📅 Date: Saturday, 25th October 2025
⏰ Time: 19:30 – 21:00
📍 Venue: St. Brigid’s Cathedral, Market Square, Kildare Town
🎟️ Cost: See organiser for details
🎤 Description: An unforgettable evening of song in the historic setting of St. Brigid’s Cathedral. Featuring the Dublin Welsh Male Voice Choir, Morriston RFC Choir from Wales, and a special performance from St Patrick’s NS school choir.
🔗 More Info: Eventbrite
Halloween Extravaganza - Dark Horse Ave
Halloween Extravaganza on Dark Horse Avenue
📅 Dates: 25th – 28th October
🕒 Time: 11am – 3pm
📍 Location: Irish National Stud & Gardens
Get ready for a frightfully fun time at the Halloween Extravaganza! From haunted thrills to family-friendly adventures, there’s spooky magic for everyone to enjoy.
Step inside the Haunted Mansion—if you dare—and uncover eerie secrets, mysterious relics, and ghostly surprises around every corner. Then, help the mischievous witches on their Potion Quest, searching the Gardens for enchanted ingredients to complete their magical brew.
Don’t forget to dress up for the Spooky Disco and Costume Contest, with prizes for the most spellbinding outfits. With creepy face painting, games, and plenty of eerie excitement, it’s a hauntingly good day out for all ages.
🎟️ All activities are included with general admission. Advance booking is recommended as places are limited.