Bram Stoker Festival: Friday 25th October – Monday 28th October
During the Halloween period the ever-popular Bram Stoker festival returns. It not only caters to bibliophiles and writers, but expect a variety of vampire and horror-based activities as well. The festival, which celebrates one of Ireland’s most famous Gothic writers Bram Stoker, offers many attractions including, Dracula: Lucy’s Passion (Abbey Theatre), a free pop-up Victorian fun park (St Patrick’s Park), the screening of horror and cult classics, light projections, and much more.
The four-day festival is sponsored by Dublin City Council. Now entering its tenth year, the festival always offers a unique experience.
Oktoberfest
Strictly for adults there’s always Oktoberfest in Munich. However, if that is beyond your budget Oktoberfest Howth and Oktoberfest Drumcondra are not bad alternatives! The Bavarian Oktoberfest takes place every year in Munich, Germany. This tradition started in 1810 when Prince Ludwig of Bavaria held a festival to celebrate his marriage to Therese, the princess of Saxony-Hildburghausen. The festival usually runs for 16 days from mid-September until the Sunday of the first weekend in October.
If you cannot make it to Munich this October then Bavarian cheer is also available at the Bernard Shaw in Drumcondra (19th of September to the 27th of October) and dedicated to all things German; cheese, bratwurst and beer. Tickets for this event (€15) can be purchased on the pub’s website, and gets you entry + two drink tokens on arrival.
Another option is Oktoberfest at The Bloody Stream in Howth. The ultimate Bavarian Party and an official Oktoberfest event. This also offers Bratwurst, Pretzel and German Beer. It runs from the 4th of October to the 6th of October only. It is hosted in the beer garden and stage area and features the Oompah Band (a four-piece Bavarian-style band who create that genuine ‘Hofbrauhaus’ feeling), followed by a DJ. Tickets for the Bloody Stream are €10 and can be purchased on Eventbrite or on the pub’s website.
