It’s that time of year again!
Autumn is well and truly upon us and Halloween is just around the corner.
‘Tis the season for pumpkin spice lattes, cosy evenings and all things spooky! Whether you’re seeking spine-chilling scares or family-friendly fun, Cork’s October calendar is packed with ghoulish festivities.
Here our list of 10 spooky things to do in Cork this October to prepare for the ultimate Halloween celebration!
Visit Joe’s Farm Pumpkin Patch
A staple on the Autumn agenda for many years, a visit to Joe’s Farm pumpkin patch is a sure fire way to get you into the spooky spirit. Visitors will get to stroll the farm and pick their very own pumpkin from their pumpkin patch to take home. The farm has plenty of photo ops and displays, and there’s an on-site cafe if you’re peckish. More info here.
Take a Spike Island After Dark Tour
A rare and spooky opportunity to visit Spike Island after dark. Expect candle lit corridors, eerie tunnels and haunted prison cells as your guided tour delves into the dark history of what was once Ireland’s more notorious prison with spine-chilling tales of the murderers and deviants who once roamed its halls. More info here.
Watch The Rocky Horror Picture Show at The Pav
Hosted by Cork’s very own drag Haus, Mockie Ah, The Rocky Horror Picture show event will take place at The Pav and includes a screening of the iconic film hosted by Mockie Ah, an after party, DJs and prizes for best dressed. There will be two screenings on Oct 31s and Nov 1st. More info here.
Visit a Pop-up Halloween Cinema
This year there’s not one, but TWO pop-up cinema experiences taking place, both showing a selection of spooky halloween films. The Pop-up Movie Club will be taking place at Marina Market on October 26th and will be screening ‘A Nightmare Before Christmas’, ‘Hotel Transylvania’, ‘Hocus Pocus’ and ‘The Conjuring’. More info here.
The second experience is hosted by Scenic Cinema and will take place in the very spooky Cork City Gaol on October 30th and Friday Nov 1st. They will be screening ‘Hocus Pocus’, ‘The Conjuring’, and ‘Halloween (1978)’. More info here.
Visit a haunted Halloween House Maze
‘Halloween of Hell’ takes place every year in Passage West to raise much needed funds for Marymount Hospice. Visitors will have to make their way through the haunted house and this years’ theme is ‘Scary Movies’, with each room representing a different movie theme. More info here.
Watch The Dragon of Shandon Halloween parade
A Cork tradition since 2006, the Dragon of Shandon event is an annual Halloween parade taking place in the city centre on the eve of October 31st. Organised by Cork Community Art Link, it is a celebration of Samhain and creative partnership between artists and communities. Expect to see spooky costumes, scary performances and the iconic 36ft Dragon as the parade makes its way through the city centre. More info here.
Watch the Halloween Freakshow cabaret
Monsieur Pompier’s Travelling Freakshow will take place at Crane Lane on October 31st, and it’s an event not to be missed. Expect a spooktacular show featuring halloween rock-opera with songs about inside-out cats, bog witches, ear fairies, crazy costumes and more. More info here.
Visit the Leap Scarecrow Festival
The Leap Scarecrow Festival is back with a thrilling line-up of events, promising an enchanting experience for families and scarecrow enthusiasts alike. From Monday, October 21st, Scarecrows will start to gather on the streets! Indoor event begin Friday Oct 22nd through Sunday, November 3rd, the festival will bring a myriad of activities to celebrate the Halloween season. More info here.
Take part in a Halloween ‘Sip & Paint’ night
Hosted by Declan O’Meara, the halloween sip and paint night will take place in Meade’s Wine Bar in the city centre on October 11th. Guests will sip on Prosecco as they create a spooky masterpiece, with all materials provided on the night. More info here.
Catch the Comedy Cavern’s Halloween Special
The ‘Test Tube Babies Halloween Special’ will take place at The Comedy Cavern in Coughlan’s Bar on October 29th. Expect fancy dress performances, ice cold pints and plenty of laughs on the night. Entry is free and you can find out more here.