Folklore, fire, live music, theatre, film and free family experiences will transform VISUAL this October
This Samhain, VISUAL Carlow becomes a threshold between our world and the Otherworld, with a packed programme of music, theatre, storytelling, spectacle, cinema and family events taking place from Thursday 22 October to Sunday 1 November 2026.
Drawing inspiration from the ancient Irish festival of Samhain, where the veil between our world and the Otherworld grows thin, Samhain Festival 26 at VISUAL invites audiences of all ages to experience ten days of folklore, fire, creativity and fun in the heart of Carlow.
From the haunting tale of The Last Witch: Bridget Cleary and the spectacular outdoor FIRE NIGHT featuring VolkiDána, to the creative and interactive sounds of Úlla Búlla with Ríona Sally Hartman & band, the shimmering music of Lemoncello and the humour music and storytelling of Aindrias de Staic, this year's programme brings together outstanding performers with traditions and stories reaching deep into Ireland's cultural past.
Niall Scully, Interim CEO, said:
“Samhain Festival 26 is a wonderful example of what VISUAL does best, bringing people together through arts, culture and shared experiences. This programme takes inspiration from one of Ireland’s ancient festivals and captures the transition to the darker half of the year in a way that is exciting, creative and accessible for audiences today.
“From fire and folklore to music, theatre, cinema and a fantastic programme of free family events, there really is something for everyone. We want VISUAL to be a place where the whole community feels welcome, and I would encourage people from Carlow and further afield to come along, take part and experience our heritage, customs and ancient past through the magic of Samhain.”
Cllr Ken Murnane, Mayor of Carlow Municipal District, said:
“Samhain is deeply rooted in Irish tradition, and it is fantastic to see VISUAL bringing those traditions to life through such an imaginative and ambitious programme.
“Events like this add enormously to the vibrancy of Carlow town, giving local families great experiences on their doorstep while also providing another reason for people to visit Carlow and discover what we have to offer. With so many free activities alongside outstanding music, theatre, storytelling and family entertainment, I hope people of all ages will come into Carlow, enjoy the festival and be part of the celebrations.”
A major feature of the festival is the range of free events and activities, making VISUAL and the surrounding cultural quarter a destination for families throughout the October mid-term break.
A fiery start to Samhain
The festival opens on Thursday 22 October with the Spooky Scavenger Hunt, sending curious adventurers on an otherworldly quest through VISUAL, before The Last Witch: Bridget Cleary takes to the stage that evening.
On Friday 23 October, Samhain spills out beyond the theatre with a packed day of community activity culminating in FIRE NIGHT, a free outdoor family event featuring VolkiDána. Further tickets will be available shortly for same.
The day also includes a free Primary School Movie Morning and Costume Competition featuring Coco, A Special Samhain We Go On, Have A Gawk: The Spooky Edition, the Samhain Community Café and the continuing Spooky Scavenger Hunt.
Music, creativity and family fun
Saturday begins with Samhain Yoga with Connie Byrne, followed by two performances of Úlla Búlla with Ríona Sally Hartman & band, alongside the free Spooky Scavenger Hunt.
Then, on Sunday 25 October, VISUAL and Carlow College come alive for a major Family Fun Day, featuring an afternoon packed with free activities for families and younger visitors.
Audiences can enjoy spooky storytelling with Stories from the Shadows, traditional music, spooky face painting, a costume competition, the Spooky Scavenger Hunt and a Deadly Disco in the Digital Gallery.
Younger visitors can explore Little Creepy Crawlies VISUAL, while budding artists can get creative through the Magnetic Aesthetic Art Workshop and drop-in art workshops at Carlow College and VISUAL.
Traditional skills will also form part of the celebrations, with Strawcraft Workshops for adults and families.
With most activities running from 2pm to 5pm, the Family Fun Day offers families the opportunity to drop in, dress up, get creative and experience the atmosphere of Samhain together.
The magic continues through Halloween
The celebrations continue throughout the mid-term break, with the free Spooky Scavenger Hunt winding its way around VISUAL on Tuesday 27, Wednesday 28, Thursday 29 and Friday 30 October.
On Thursday 29 October, acclaimed duo Lemoncello bring their distinctive sound to VISUAL, followed on Friday evening by Aindrias de Staic: By the Light of the Silvery Moon, bringing together music, storytelling and performance.
Halloween itself, Saturday 31 October, begins with a Samhain Illustration Workshop, while the Spooky Scavenger Hunt offers visitors another chance to take an otherworldly journey through VISUAL.
The magic then takes a cinematic turn with a Halloween double bill. The acclaimed Irish animated adventure Wolfwalkers screens at 3pm, followed at 7.30pm by the iconic folk-horror film The Wicker Man.
The festival concludes on Sunday 1 November, with a final afternoon of the Spooky Scavenger Hunt and a 3pm screening of the animated family adventure Looney Tunes: The Day the Earth Blew Up.
From ancient Samhain traditions and fiery spectacle to family fun, live music, art and supernatural stories, Samhain Festival 26 at VISUAL invites everyone to step beyond the familiar and discover what lies on the other side.
The Otherworld is closer than you think. Full details here: Samhain Festival 26 at VISUAL - VISUAL