Spooky season is almost upon us, and North Mayo and West Sligo is about to come un-alive with the spirit of Halloween! From fright walks to family-friendly discos, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Whether you’re in Ballina, Belmullet, or beyond, we’ve rounded up the best ways to celebrate this Halloween season. Ready for thrills, chills, and traditional Halloween fun? Here’s your ultimate guide!
Family Friendly Frights
This October Bank Holiday Weekend, Ballina will host its very first Pumpkin Patch – a fun, family-friendly fundraiser in aid of the town’s Christmas Lights. Taking place on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th October, visitors can pick their perfect pumpkin, capture seasonal photos among the autumn décor, and enjoy a cosy festive atmosphere. Every booking also includes a special leaving gift to remember the occasion. (A Sensory Hour also takes place from 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM on Saturday 25th of October)
Ardanree Sarsfields GAA in association with Ballina Autism Friendly Town present Haunted House on the Hill. There will be a special free sensory hour performance on Monday October 27th from 3 to 4pm, designed especially for those with special needs, this hour ensures everyone can enjoy the Halloween fun in a safe and supportive environment.. This is followed on Sunday 27th from 4 to 6pm with a special children’s matinee performance, the ever popular family friendly version of the main event is just €5 on the door, no pre-booking required.
Everyone is welcome to join in the fun at this year’s Attymass Kids Costume Party, taking place on Monday, October 27th from 6:00pm to 7:30pm at Attymass Community Centre (F26 E186). Organised by the Attymass Parents Association, this family-friendly Halloween event promises a spook-tacular evening filled with fun and laughter for all.
This Halloween weekend, join Bill Duffy (Really Great Tours) and Debbie McCole (The Sleepy Scholar) for Tales & Trails: Legends of Leigue — an interactive walking tour through Ballina’s historic Leigue Cemetery on Sunday, 26th October at 11:30am. Blending heritage, history and folklore, the tour brings to life centuries of myth, mystery and local legend, sharing the spellbinding stories of some of Ballina’s most remarkable souls. Perfect for all ages, this slow-paced stroll offers a fun, screen-free way to explore local history. Tickets can be booked here and are €15 per person. (children u-12 go free)
Get ready for a frightfully fun evening in Ballycastle this Halloween! The Ballycastle Halloween Walk takes place on Sunday, 26 October 2025, starting at Dominic Street from 7pm to 7.45pm, and finishing up at the “Boithrín na Slí” Dome (behind Healy’s Bar), where the celebrations continue until 9pm.
Halloween at the Jackie Clarke Collection with Ballina Walking Tours. Children can discover how Halloween began in Ireland over 2,000 years ago through storytelling, games and hands-on activities. Expect traditional costumes, old Irish games like apple bobbing and fortune-telling, Halloween treats such as barnbrack and toffee apples, garden games and a goodie bag to take home. The event runs from 28th–30th October with two sessions each evening. Tickets are €15 per child, suitable for ages 5–12+, and fancy dress is encouraged.
Go on a spooky adventure this Midterm Break with the Scarecrow Jack Halloween Trail at the National Museum of Ireland – Turlough Park, Castlebar, running from 12noon on Saturday, 25 October to 4pm on Sunday, 2 November 2025. Explore the gardens and woodland to see if you can find Scarecrow Jack hiding in the trees!
Pick up your feee activity sheet and go on a frightfully fun adventure this Midterm Break with the Scary Objects Halloween Trail at the National Museum of Ireland – Turlough Park, running from 12noon on Saturday, 25 October to 4pm on Sunday, 2 November 2025
Step into the shadows of the past and discover the spooky side of history with A Scare in the Museum, a series of special Halloween storytelling tours taking place at Turlough Park, Castlebar (F23 HY31) from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st October 2025.
Get creative this spooky season with a series of free, family-friendly Halloween Crafts at the Museum, taking place from Wednesday 29th to Friday 31st October 2025, from 2:30pm to 4:30pm each day at National Museum of Ireland – Turlough Park.
On the 28th October from 11am – 12:30pm, join The North Mayo Heritage Centre for a spellbinding Halloween Lantern Making Workshop, perfect for children aged 4 to 10! Help your little monsters create their very own spooky lantern to take home using papier mache technique. This fun, hands-on activity is sure to spark creativity and get everyone in the Halloween spirit.
Let your little adventurers immerse themselves in the magic of nature with Tonnta Adventure’s Halloween Camps at Belleek Woods, 28th, 29th & 30th October. Designed for children aged 5 and up, these fun-filled outdoor camps combine spooky seasonal excitement with hands-on learning and imaginative play. Kids can enjoy nature games, Halloween-themed crafts, den building, sensory exploration, and plenty of free forest play. With a focus on child-led discovery and creativity, it’s the perfect way for young explorers to connect with nature in a safe, supportive, and adventure-filled woodland setting
Join in the Halloween fun at Céide’s Crafty Spooktacular Halloween Day, taking place on Friday, October 31st from 11:00am to 4:00pm at the Céide Fields Neolithic Site and Visitor Centre. This special event offers a fun-filled day of spooky creativity and seasonal surprises for all the family.
The Great National Hotel Ballina Hallween family friendly event takes place on Sunday 2nd November from 1 – 4pm. Enjoy a four course lunch followed by Halloween arts & crafts, face painting, balloon modelling, tattoos & party games, Scooby-Doo fun & Party Games, with a prize for best costume. Tickets are €35/€15 and can be booked by calling 096 23612
Prepare to be Scared
Prepare to be scared at the Sean Duffy Community Centre as Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA present Haunted House on the Hill. Expect spine-chilling thrills, creepy surprises, and haunted adventures from Tuesday 28th to Thursday 30th October, from 7pm – 10pm. Tickets must be pre-booked, get yours HERE
Get ready for a wild night of metal as Ballina Burns (Metaphorically… probably) in Ballina Arts Centre. A full‑scale sonic assault – Galway’s Infernal Terror, Limerick’s Misery Goblin, and Mayo’s own Vallium are storming in to town to unleash a night of pure, Unfiltered Heaviness. Expect Wrecking Ball Riffs, Hell Slamming Drums, and enough raw watts to rattle yer fillings outTickets are €10 and available through the online BOX OFFICE
With so many events to choose from, there’s no excuse not to get into the Halloween spirit in North Mayo! Stay update with upcoming events in North Mayo by visiting our webpage https://www.northmayo.ie/whats-on/ or follow us on social media.