Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween

Experience the true spirit of Halloween in Kerry

This autumn, Kerry comes alive with fire, folklore, storytelling, music and spectacular street performances as Samhain Chiarraí – A Kerry Halloween returns for 2026.

Discover the ancient Celtic roots of Halloween in the place where the traditions of Samhain still resonate through the landscape, stories and communities of County Kerry. The festival’s two signature weekends will take place in Killarney from 23th to 25th October and Tralee from 30th October to 1st November, featuring vibrant street parades, the captivating Cailleach Chiarraí fire spectacles, death cafes, pop up Scéil & Céilí events and an extensive programme of cultural, community and family-friendly events. Samhain Chiarraí invites visitors and locals to experience Halloween through Kerry's unique culture, mythology and sense of place.

At the heart of the festival is An Cailleach Chiarraí – the Goddess of Winter, a powerful figure from Kerry's folklore whose story connects the end of the harvest with the beginning of winter and the turning of the Celtic year.

Explore the 2026 Programme
Discover street spectacles, fire rituals, storytelling, music, family events and community celebrations taking place throughout Kerry.

Download and View the Programme:

Idir Dhá Shaol – Between Two Worlds

A major highlight of the 2026 programme is Idir Dhá Shaol – Between Two Worlds, a spectacular new street parade commissioned for Samhain Chiarraí and created by MÓTHU – Street & Spectacle Arts Group, Corca Dhuibhne. At the heart of the production is the newly created Cailleach Chiarraí puppet, bringing Kerry’s Goddess of Winter to life in a breathtaking fusion of artistry, folklore and performance.

Accompanied by live musicians, fire performers and stilt walkers, the parade will take to the streets of Killarney on Saturday, 24th October and Tralee on Saturday, 31th October, from 7pm to 8pm.

Samhain Fire Rituals - Dingle Druid

The hugely popular Samhain Fire Rituals return for 2026, join the Dingle Druid for a powerful Samhain Fire Ritual, with music and celebration as we approach this ancient turning point of the year.

At Samhain, we gather in community to mark the third harvest, honour and remember our ancestors, celebrate those who have gone before us, and set intentions for the season ahead through fire, music and ritual.

This year’s rituals will take place in Dingle (16th October), Killarney (23rd October), Cahersiveen (29th October), Tralee (30th October) and Listowel (6th November).

A County-Wide Celebration of Samhain

Samhain Chiarraí, curated by Kerry County Council, delivers a countywide programme of events celebrating the origins of Halloween through culture, creativity and community participation. Developed in partnership with cultural organisations including the Patrick O'Keeffe Traditional Music Festival, Kerry International Film Festival and An Féile Eile, the festival showcases a rich and diverse range of experiences across Kerry.

In addition, Kerry County Council is supporting 13 community-led events throughout the county, including Kenmare Halloween Howl, Samhain na Snadhma in Sneem, and Halloween celebrations in Cahersiveen, Waterville, Moyvane, further strengthening the festival's local reach and community spirit.

Discover the magic of Samhain in Kerry.

Deireadh Fómhair 2026

An Oíche Shamhna seo, éiríonn Ciarraí ina ríocht lán de fhinscéalta, mhiotas, agus draíocht! Tugann Samhain Chiarraí cuireadh do mhuintir na háite agus do chuairteoirí araon taithí a fháil ar spiorad draíochtúil na hAthbhliana Ceiltí. Bain sult as seónna sráide, ceol, scéalaíocht, bia agus deasghnátha na tine a chuireann i gceangal muid lenár n-oidhreacht Cheilteach.

At its heart is the ancient tale of An Cailleach Chiarraí—the wise and wild Goddess of Winter—who emerges each year to mark the end of the harvest and the beginning of the darker half of the year. Her arrival signals the turning of the Celtic calendar and the enduring connection between the natural world and the supernatural.

Fréamhaithe sa bhéaloideas agus san fhómhar, déanann an fhéile seo ceiliúradh ar an mBliain Nua Cheilteach agus tugann sí ómós do Chailleach Chiarraí, bandia fhiáin an Gheimhridh. 

Join us in Kerry this Halloween season and step into a world where ancient traditions come alive.

Tar agus glac páirt sa cheiliúradh, áit a dtagann oidhreacht agus draíocht Oíche Shamhna le chéile.

For more information and the latest new on planned events for the Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween visit the dedicated social media platforms:

Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween is part of Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween Pilot Destination Development Scheme.