What’s On: 10 great events happening around Ireland this weekend

Killarney Pumpkin Farm 2023

20 October, Killarney

Celebrate Samhain at Killarney Pumpkin Farm, a hauntingly authentic Halloween experience where you can pick your own pumpkin, visit The Witches Cottage, hear Ghost Stories with a Seanchaí , explore The Corn Maze, meet the Alpacas, and feast on some festive eats! A true immersion into the spirit of Halloween, this is a great way to keep the little ones (and big kids, too!) entertained this weekend.

Oktoberfeis

21 October, West Cork & Waterford

From the founders of Bingo Loco, Oktoberfeis features some of Ireland’s top-selling musicians such as George Murphy & The Rising Sons at Rochestown Park Hotel, and Rake The Ashes in Parkway Hotel. Putting an Irish twist on the traditional Bavarian experience, think Irish trad bands and dancers, tankards of Irish stouts and beers, authentic Irish food, DJs and an eclectic mix of entertainment and competitions across the evening.

CNW Presents A Dinner Party

21 October, Little Pyg, Dublin

Dublin’s hottest Hip Hop & R&B Brunch is back for an unforgettable evening of music, food and fun in the all-new Little Pyg. Dress to impress for CNW’s Hip Hop and R&B Dinner Party at 9pm on October 21, where you can enjoy a three-course meal while you dance and sing along, with a DJ spinning the latest hip hop and R&B hits late into the night. Pick up your tickets now here.

The Girl’s Room: Scream Queens

21 October, The Workmans Cellar, Dublin

Start your spooky season celebrations with The Girl’s Room’s dress up Halloqueen party! DJs Onai and Big Cheeks will be setting the vibes on the decks, Poke Mo Thoin will be on site for stick and poke tattoos, there’ll be nail art from Club Lorluna, and even tarot readings from Roisin’s Tarot. A club night devoted to providing a safe space for women and nonbinary people to enjoy a unique and intimate clubbing experience, The Girl’s Room is all about empowerment and unity.

IMRAM

21 October, Multiple locations in Dublin

IMRAM works to put Irish language literature at the heart of our nation’s public life, through an innovative annual festival, supporting writers and publishers, encouraging the sale of books, provoking debate, and engaging Irish speakers and Irish learners across Ireland and the diaspora. IMRAM brings its audiences on a ‘voyage of discovery’ that reveals the rich diversity of modern Irish language literature. Find this year’s programme in full here.

The Rioja Wine Festival 2023

21 October, The Davenport Hotel, Dublin

WineOnline.ie are celebrating the broad choice, premium quality, and versatile grapes at the ultimate wine experience for Rioja lovers this weekend. This year’s festival will mark the second year running of The Rioja Wine Festival. Run over two three-hour sessions, ticket holders will have the opportunity to taste as many wines as possible. This year, the masterclasses will be presented by both John Wilson, Irish Times Wine Columnist and also Fergal Tynan, Master of Wine and Winemaker in more than four separate countries.

Baboró International Arts Festival for Children

Until 22 October, Galway

Ireland’s flagship arts festival dedicated to children and families, Baboró celebrates children as audience and artists. The festival has a curated programme of events covering a range of genres and themes suitable for all age groups – so there truly is something for everyone. This year’s festivities include theatre, dance, puppetry, circus, visual art, literature and digital work, with the fun even spilling over into the classroom, school yard and local libraries too.

Belfast International Arts Festival

Until 5 November, Belfast

Originally established in 1962, Belfast International Arts Festival covers theatre, dance, classical and roots music, visual, film and digital arts and literature accompanied by outreach and education events. This year marks the 61st edition of the festival, and the new season programme of contemporary arts and culture will spread across 30+ venues around the city. See the full programme here.

Dundrum on Ice

Throughout winter, Dundrum, Dublin

Dundrum on Ice returns for another amazing ice season, providing the perfect spot for creating some fantastic holiday memories with friends and family. Warm your hands with a tasty hot chocolate, visit Santa at his workshop and tell him what’s on your wish list this year, and inch towards that inevitable Christmas spirit once the twinkling lights are strung up and ignited once again.

A Whiskey & Chocolate Masterclass

22 October, Eatyard, The Bernard Shaw, Dublin

Indulge your senses in the finest Bushmills Black Bush Whiskey and indulgent Grá Chocolates x Bushmills Black Bush Hot Chocolate, all in one event. The Whiskey & Chocolate Masterclass will take place over four time slots across the day, and each kicks off with a guided tasting of Bushmills Black Bush. The sessions will be fully immersive and will invite guests to make their own Grá Chocolates x Bushmills Black Bush spiked hot chocolate as well as two Grá Chocolates inspired Bushmills Black Bush cocktails. Plus, there’ll be a goodie bag!