Ireland Home of Halloween 2026 launched

Now in its second year, the initiative is a collaborative programme led by Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Ireland and Tourism Northern Ireland that celebrates the island of Ireland’s role as the birthplace of Halloween through festivals and visitor experiences inspired by Samhain traditions. 

In 2025, the initiative supported the delivery of over 830 events, which attracted more than 322,000 domestic and international visitors, generating over £37 million in economic impact, supporting local communities and tourism businesses. 

Building on this success, the 2026 programme will bring together a network of destinations across the island of Ireland to deliver an expanded season of festivals, spectacles, trails, performances, food experiences and community celebrations inspired by the origins of Halloween. 

This year’s programme will again incorporate the internationally renowned Derry Halloween Festival, which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2026 and is widely regarded as Europe’s largest Halloween festival, further strengthening the island-wide celebration of Samhain and Halloween. 

In addition, the programme will also feature activity across seven Home of Halloween hubs in Fingal, Galway, Kerry, Kilkenny, Limerick, Longford and Westmeath, and Meath and Louth. 

The programme will be anchored by Púca Festival, the Republic of Ireland’s flagship Halloween, alongside Derry Halloween.

New elements added for 2026 include an enhanced special 40th anniversary programme celebrating four decades of Derry Halloween, alongside the launch of new year-round visitor experiences including the Derry Samhain Experience and a permanent Derry Halloween mural. 

Laura McCorry, Chief Executive of Tourism Northern Ireland said: “Tourism NI is excited by the opportunities that Home of Halloween brings for Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland. The initiative represents a unique opportunity to build a globally distinctive tourism proposition around something that is truly our own - we are not creating a new story; we are sharing one that has existed for thousands of years. 

“As Derry Halloween prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary this year, this unique tri-agency collaboration will ensure we fully realise the potential of the Home of Halloween initiative, celebrating our shared roots, stimulating economic growth, creating employment opportunities and delivering lasting benefits for communities.” 

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke TD said: "Ireland's Home of Halloween demonstrates how our unique culture and heritage can support the ambitions of Government tourism policy by driving sustainable growth across our regions and extending the tourism season. 

“The success of the programme to date shows the significant potential of this initiative to attract visitors during the shoulder season. In 2025, the initiative generated more than €43 million in economic impact delivering tangible benefits for local communities and tourism businesses across the island.  

“By supporting businesses, creating employment opportunities and encouraging visitors to explore destinations across the island, the programme continues to deliver lasting benefits while showcasing Ireland as the authentic home of Halloween." 

Caroline Bocquel, Chief Executive of Fáilte Ireland, said: “The Ireland Home of Halloween programme is a significant opportunity to grow tourism by celebrating the traditions, folklore and stories that connect communities across the island. The strong results achieved in 2025 show that visitors are eager to experience the authentic traditions at the heart of Halloween, and this year's programme will create even more reasons for domestic and international visitors to explore destinations across the island during the autumn season. 

“As we continue to grow Halloween into a season-long celebration, we can further strengthen Ireland’s position as the Home of Halloween, delivering greater economic and social benefits for businesses and communities across the island.” 

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “As the birthplace of Halloween, the island of Ireland offers our overseas visitors an authentic and original experience at that special time of year. Tourism Ireland will promote Halloween once again this year in our key overseas markets as an iconic reason to visit our island in the autumn.  

“Our Home of Halloween campaign will run from August through to the end of October – driving global awareness, consideration and demand for travel. It will involve a two-phase approach, with Derry Halloween, the Púca Festival and inspiring festival and autumn settings providing inspiration. Our activity will include broadcast documentary coverage, advertising, publicity, digital social and AI. We will be working with partners to inspire bookings, with our Home of Halloween campaign last year generating over €50 million in incremental spend from overseas visitors choosing our destination.” 

The launch took place at the Hill of Uisneach in Co Westmeath, a site deeply connected to Ireland's ancient Samhain traditions. Further details of the 2026 Ireland Home of Halloween programme and destination event programmes will be announced in the coming months through each participating local authority.