If you're looking for one of the most atmospheric ways to celebrate Halloween in Ireland, the Púca Festival in County Meath deserves a place near the top of your list. If you're planning a longer trip around the festival, our accommodation guide has options across Ireland, and our destinations guide has plenty of ideas for extending your visit.

Taking place across the historic towns of Trim and Athboy from 29 October to 1 November 2026, Púca Festival is a four-day celebration of Samhain, Irish folklore, music, fire, storytelling, food and the ancient traditions that helped shape the Halloween we know today.

With dramatic fire performances, concerts, comedy, circus shows, family activities, heritage experiences and free public events, Púca is far more than a conventional Halloween festival.

It is also held in a part of Ireland deeply connected with the ancient festival of Samhain, making it one of the most interesting places in the country to spend Halloween.

Here is everything you need to know about visiting the Púca Festival 2026.

When is Púca Festival 2026?

Púca Festival takes place from:

Thursday 29 October to Sunday 1 November 2026

The festival runs across two main locations:

• Trim, County Meath
• Athboy, County Meath

Events take place throughout the day and into the evening, with some experiences free to attend and others requiring advance tickets.

Because Halloween itself falls during the festival, the busiest period is likely to be Friday evening and Halloween weekend.

If there is a particular concert, tour or experience you want to attend, booking early is strongly recommended.

What is the Púca Festival?

Púca Festival celebrates Ireland's ancient Halloween traditions and the Celtic festival of Samhain.

More than 2,000 years ago, Samhain marked the end of summer and the beginning of the darker half of the Celtic year.

It was believed that at this time the boundary between the world of the living and the Otherworld became thinner, allowing spirits and supernatural beings to cross between the two.

One of those beings was the Púca.

The Púca appears throughout Irish folklore as a mysterious shapeshifting creature capable of bringing either good or bad fortune to those who encounter it.

Púca Festival takes that folklore and turns it into a modern celebration filled with fire, music, performance and storytelling.

Rather than simply recreating an American-style Halloween event, the festival focuses heavily on Ireland's own traditions and the ancient story of Samhain.

Why is Athboy Important to the Story of Halloween?

Athboy is particularly important because nearby Tlachtga, also known as the Hill of Ward, has strong historic connections with Samhain.

The site is associated with ancient gatherings during which fires were lit to mark Samhain and the beginning of the Celtic New Year.

Today, visitors to Púca Festival can learn about these traditions through heritage tours, storytelling and special experiences held around the Hill of Ward.

The festival describes Athboy as being at the heart of the Samhain tradition, with connections to Halloween stretching back more than 2,000 years.

For anyone interested in Irish history and folklore, this is one of the most fascinating parts of the festival.

Púca Festival in Trim

Trim is the larger of the two festival hubs and provides an incredible backdrop for Halloween.

Dominating the town is Trim Castle, one of Ireland's most impressive medieval castles.

During Púca Festival, the town becomes a centre for concerts, street performances, storytelling, food and Halloween entertainment.

The medieval streets and castle walls are particularly atmospheric once darkness falls.

Don't Miss the Púca Procession

One of the biggest highlights of the festival is the Púca Procession through Trim.

The 2026 procession takes place on 30 October and is completely free to attend.

Expect shapeshifting spirits, giant characters, performers, music, drums and fire as the streets of Trim are transformed into an otherworldly celebration of Samhain.

For families who want to experience Púca without buying lots of tickets, this is probably one of the events to put at the very top of the list.

See Trim Castle Transformed After Dark

Another major free attraction is the spectacular projection show on Trim Castle.

After darkness falls, the medieval walls are transformed using light, sound and imagery inspired by myth, folklore and Ireland's supernatural traditions.

The castle is already an impressive sight during the daytime, but seeing it illuminated during Púca Festival should be one of the most memorable experiences of the weekend.

Watch the Fire Performers

Fire plays a huge role in the story of Samhain, so unsurprisingly it is also a major part of Púca Festival.

The Pyro Collective perform dramatic outdoor shows combining fire choreography, aerial acrobatics and atmospheric effects against the backdrop of Trim Castle and Athboy Fair Green.

Best of all, these performances are among the festival's free events.

The Lighting of the Samhain Fire

Perhaps the most symbolic event of Púca Festival is the Lighting of the Samhain Fire.

Fire was an important part of ancient Samhain celebrations, and the modern festival continues that tradition with performances, music, storytelling and ceremony.

The lighting of the Samhain fire is free to attend.

For visitors wanting to connect with the historic rather than purely entertainment side of Halloween, this should be one of the highlights.

Take the Beyond the Veil Púca Trail

Families can also join Beyond the Veil – The Púca Trail in Trim.

This storytelling walk through the Porchfields introduces visitors to shapeshifting creatures, spirits and stories from Irish folklore.

Tours run throughout the festival at 11am, 12pm, 2pm and 3pm.

At the time of writing, tickets are listed at €20.

It sounds like a particularly good option for families wanting something immersive without venturing into full-on haunted-house territory.

Visit the Hill of Ward

One of the most interesting experiences available during Púca Festival is a heritage tour of Tlachtga – the Hill of Ward.

Guides explore the site's connections with Samhain, including ancient customs involving fires, feasting, music, gathering and storytelling.

Tours last approximately 90 minutes and include transport from Athboy Rugby Club.

Tours are scheduled several times each day throughout the festival, with tickets currently listed at €27.50.

If you're visiting Púca because you're interested in the real origins of Halloween, this is probably the experience we'd recommend most.

Try a Foraging and Herbology Tour

Púca isn't all ghosts and fire.

Visitors can also join naturopath and herbalist Siobhán Carroll on a guided foraging and herbology tour exploring plants growing around the Porchfields.

The tour looks at edible and medicinal plants alongside their role in Irish mythology and folklore.

Tours last around 90 minutes, with several departures across the festival weekend.

It's a slightly different side of the festival and a great example of how Púca mixes nature, history and folklore.

Family Circus at Athboy

Families should also look out for Sorcas na Samhna at Athboy Fair Green.

The show mixes traditional circus with Halloween-themed performers, modern lighting, dancing, special effects and live Irish music.

It is designed for all ages, from children to grandparents.

Tickets are currently listed at €20, with a family ticket for two adults and two children under 15 priced at €60 plus booking fee.

Several performances are scheduled throughout the four-day festival.

Púca Festival Music Line-Up 2026

Music is a huge part of Púca Festival and the 2026 line-up includes some very recognisable Irish names.

Acts announced include:

• The Coronas with Róisín O
• Hothouse Flowers
• The Whistlin' Donkeys
• Highstool Prophets
• Mark McCabe
• The Stunning
• Sharon Shannon Big Band
• Mundy
• Qween & the Dublin Gospel Choir
• Jerry Fish

There are also music workshops and smaller performances taking place throughout the weekend.

Some concerts are expected to sell out, so don't rely on buying tickets when you arrive.

Comedy at Púca Festival

Púca isn't only aimed at families.

There is also a programme of evening comedy and entertainment.

The 2026 line-up includes comedians such as Enya Martin and John Colleary, with performances taking place in Trim.

This makes Púca a good option for couples or groups of friends looking for an autumn weekend away rather than purely a family Halloween event.

Adult-Only Samhain Circus

There is also an adult-only version of the circus experience.

The Samhain Circus takes place after dark at Athboy Fair Green and combines cabaret, high-wire acts, fire performance and sideshow-style entertainment.

This particular show is over-18s only.

Tickets are currently listed at €25.

Is Púca Festival Good for Children?

Yes, but it's worth planning carefully.

Plenty of Púca Festival is family-friendly, including the procession, daytime performances, heritage activities and family circus.

However, not every event is aimed at younger visitors.

Some evening performances and shows are adult-only, while younger children may find certain characters, fire performances or atmospheric events a little intense.

Our advice would be to check the recommended age for individual ticketed events before booking.

For younger families, daytime activities followed by the Púca Procession or Trim Castle projections could be a great introduction to the festival.

Are There Free Events?

Yes — and this is one of the best things about Púca Festival.

Several major experiences are free, including:

• Púca Procession
• Lighting of the Samhain Fire
• Trim Castle projections
• Pyro Collective performances

Other performances and activities around the festival towns may also be accessible without buying a ticket.

You could therefore enjoy a substantial part of Púca Festival without buying tickets for every attraction.

Getting to Púca Festival

The two main festival hubs are Trim and Athboy.

Festival organisers encourage visitors to use public transport where possible.

Bus services connect the area with Dublin and other nearby towns, while dedicated festival transport and shuttle services may operate during the event.

Visitors travelling by train from Dublin can travel towards Enfield before connecting with bus services towards Trim.

Festival transport arrangements can change, so check the official Púca website shortly before travelling.

Can You Visit Both Trim and Athboy?

Yes.

In fact, we'd recommend experiencing both if you're spending a full weekend at Púca.

Trim offers the dramatic castle setting, concerts, performances and procession.

Athboy provides a deeper connection with the ancient story of Samhain and the Hill of Ward.

Travelling between the two gives you a much better understanding of what Púca Festival is really about.

Where to Stay for Púca Festival

Accommodation becomes busy around Halloween weekend, so this is one trip where booking early really matters.

Trim has several hotels and guesthouses, while additional accommodation can be found in Navan, Kells, Slane and other parts of County Meath.

The festival website also lists accommodation options around the region, including hotels, country houses, cottages and hostels.

If you're planning to attend concerts or evening events, staying in or close to Trim could make life considerably easier.

What Should You Wear?

October evenings in Ireland can be cold, damp and muddy.

Bring:

• Waterproof jacket
• Warm layers
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hat and gloves for evening events
• Small umbrella
• Portable phone charger

Some tours take place across uneven outdoor ground, so good footwear is particularly important.

For example, organisers advise that parts of the Hill of Ward are unsuitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs due to uneven terrain.

Is Púca Festival Worth Visiting?

If you enjoy Irish mythology, history, Halloween or simply festivals with a slightly unusual atmosphere, we'd say absolutely.

What makes Púca different from many other Halloween attractions is its connection to the actual history of the celebration.

You can watch giant supernatural creatures parade through medieval streets one minute and learn about a Samhain site dating back thousands of years the next.

Add live music, fire performers, circus shows, food and the backdrop of Trim Castle and it becomes one of Ireland's most distinctive autumn festivals.

Púca Festival 2026 at a Glance

Dates: 29 October – 1 November 2026

Where: Trim and Athboy, County Meath

Best for: Families, couples, folklore fans, Halloween lovers and anyone interested in Irish history

Main highlights: Púca Procession, Samhain Fire, Trim Castle projections, live music, circus, Hill of Ward tours and fire performances

Free events available: Yes

Booking: Advance booking recommended for ticketed events

Official website: pucafestival.com

Final Thoughts

Halloween is celebrated all over the world, but there is something special about experiencing it in the landscape where many of its traditions began.

Púca Festival brings Ireland's ancient Samhain traditions into the modern world with music, fire, performance, folklore and plenty of mischief.

Whether you visit for one afternoon or spend the entire Halloween weekend exploring Trim and Athboy, Púca Festival offers a chance to experience a very different side of Halloween.

And with many events taking place during the October mid-term break, it could also make an unforgettable family trip.

If you're planning an autumn adventure in Ireland this year, Púca Festival 2026 is definitely one to put on the calendar.