Samhain Chiarraí Street Spectacles & Fringe Events

This October, Kerry’s streets, gathering places and cultural venues come alive with fire, folklore, music and extraordinary performance as Samhain Chiarraí: A Kerry Halloween brings the ancient spirit of Samhain into the present day.

From the spectacular Idir Dhá Shaol – Between Two Worlds street parades in Killarney and Tralee to fire performances, Irish storytelling, céilí, family activities and folklore-inspired experiences, there are many ways to discover the traditions behind Halloween in Kerry.

Explore the street spectacles and smaller events that make up the 2026 programme, and plan your own journey into Kerry’s world of Samhain.

Idir Dhá Shaol – Between Two Worlds - Street Parade

Killarney: Saturday 24th October 2026 | 7pm–8pm
Tralee: Saturday 31st October 2026 | 7pm–8pm

When darkness falls, the streets of Killarney and Tralee become a stage for Idir Dhá Shaol – Between Two Worlds, the signature street spectacle of Samhain Chiarraí.

Created and curated by MÓTHU – Street & Spectacle Arts Group, Chorca Dhuibhne, this large-scale outdoor production draws on Irish mythology and the ancient belief that Samhain marks a threshold between our world and the Otherworld.

Expect giant illuminated puppets, live musicians, massed drummers, fire performers, stilt walkers and extraordinary visual theatre. At the heart of the 2026 production is a new, specially curated Cailleach Chiarraí puppet, bringing Kerry’s Goddess of Winter to life in a new way.

In Killarney, the parade takes place on Saturday 24th October. On Halloween night, Saturday 31st October, the spectacle returns in Tralee, travelling through the town centre towards the Island of Geese.

This is more than a Halloween parade. It is a journey through fire, light, folklore and the imagination of Kerry.

Plan your visit: Check the full Samhain Chiarraí programme for event information and updates.

The Veiling: Cailleach Chiarraí Fire Spectacle

Killarney: Sunday 25th October 2026 | 5pm
Tralee: Sunday 1st November 2026 | 5pm

The Cailleach’s story continues in The Veiling, a fire spectacle exploring the transition into winter and the mysteries surrounding Kerry’s Goddess of Winter.

Through fire, music and performance, this atmospheric event brings mythology into a contemporary setting, inviting audiences to experience the seasonal turning point at the heart of Samhain.

Catch the spectacle in Killarney during the first signature weekend or in Tralee as the festival reaches its Halloween finale.

Gather Around the Fire: Samhain Fire Rituals

Selected dates: 16th October - 6th November 2026

Fire has long been associated with Samhain, a time to gather, remember those who came before us and mark the changing season.

Join the Dingle Druid for a series of Samhain Fire Rituals combining music, ritual and community. The 2026 gatherings take place in:

• Dingle: 16th October

• Killarney: 23rd October

• Cahersiveen: 29th October

• Tralee: 30th October

• Listowel: 6th November

Each gathering offers a chance to connect with the traditions, stories and shared experience that give Samhain its enduring meaning. The Listowel event takes place after the main festival dates, extending the season into November.

What’s the Scéile? Enjoy Pop Up Scéile & Céilí

Samhain is also a time for gathering, sharing stories and celebrating together. The What’s the Scéile & Céilí events bring Irish-language storytelling and traditional social dancing into welcoming, family-friendly pop-up experiences.

Join in, listen to a story, learn a few céilí steps and enjoy the lively spirit of Irish culture. You don’t need to be an experienced dancer or Irish speaker to take part.

The 2026 programme includes gatherings in Killarney on Sunday 25th at 6pm and Tralee on Wednesday 28th at 7pm. Check the programme for the latest dates, locations and event details.

Enjoy the Samhain Chiarrai Family Treasure Hunt

Make exploring Killarney part of the adventure with the Samhain-inspired Family Treasure Hunt. Using QR codes at participating locations starting from ANAM in Killarney and Kerry County Museum in Tralee, families can follow clues and discover places around the town as they take part in a seasonal trail.

It’s a fun way to explore Killarney together during the autumn mid-term break, adding a little mystery and discovery to your Samhain visit.

Tralee starting LINK. Killarney starting LINK.

Explore Kerry Following the Cailleach Trail

Discover more of Kerry’s seasonal stories by following the Cailleach trail, a folklore-inspired experience connected with the legend of the Goddess of Winter.

The Cailleach’s story is closely tied to Kerry’s landscape, offering a way to explore the places, legends and seasonal traditions that shape the county’s distinctive Halloween identity. As the autumn leaves turn to gold, follow the footsteps of the daughter of the Sun across County Kerry's most breathtaking landscapes — from the towering peaks of the Hag's Glen to the wild Atlantic cliffs of Dunmore Head where folklore says her journey began, and now also by way of the woven willow effigy that keeps her story alive at Tralee Bay Wetlands. 

Before starting: DOWNLOAD TRAIL MAP & INFORMATION

Stories from the Otherworld with Aindrias de Staic

For those who enjoy a story told live, award-winning storyteller and musician Aindrias de Staic brings Irish folklore, myth and otherworldly tales to the stage in The Dark side of the Silvery Moon.

Combining spoken-word storytelling with live harp and percussion, the production celebrates the tradition of the seanchaí through humour, music and stories drawn from Ireland’s cultural imagination.

Performances are scheduled in Listowel and Tralee during the Samhain Chiarraí programme. See the programme or individual event listings for details.

Discover More of Halloween in Kerry

The street spectacles and fringe events are just one part of Samhain Chiarraí. Across Kerry, local communities and cultural partners add their own events, traditions and creative experiences to the season.

Look out for community festivals, traditional music, film, storytelling, Halloween activities and other local celebrations, including events in Sneem, Killorglin, Castleisland and beyond.

For more ideas, browse the wider Samhain Chiarraí programme and the Discover Kerry What’s On guide.

Plan Your Samhain Chiarraí Visit

The main Samhain Chiarraí celebrations run from 15th October to 1st November 2026, with signature weekends in Killarney from 23–25 October and Tralee from 30 October–1 November.

If you’re planning to attend a parade or fire spectacle, check the latest event information before travelling, arrive early for outdoor performances and allow time to explore the town hosting the event.

From illuminated street theatre and fire rituals to family treasure hunts, céilí and storytelling, Samhain Chiarraí offers a distinctive way to experience Halloween in Kerry — where ancient folklore meets contemporary creativity.

Explore the full Samhain Chiarraí 2026 programme and plan your visit to Kerry this Halloween.