Dublin local family event guide. Friday 25th – Thursday 31st October 2019

Tags: Children's activities Dublin, Event Guide Dublin, This weekend in Dublin, Weekend fun in Dublin, Whats on Dublin

Take a look at the family friendly events happening in and around Dublin over the next week for you to enjoy.
Please check that they are still running before setting out, as sometimes even the best events have to be postponed.

This Halloween Midterm, Rainbow Phil will be putting on an extra special musical show in St Anne’s Park – The Red Stables for the little ones aged 1-6yrs old

What can you expect from Rainbow Phil‘s Halloween Special? Well that would be telling, I’ll post no spoilers here! But rest assured there’ll be entertainment for children and grown-ups alike!!

There will be shows on the mornings of Saturday 26th October, Tuesday 29th and also on Halloween itself, Thursday 31st October – Tickets will cost €10 per child plus Eventbrite booking fee (no charge for adults or baby siblings under 9months)

Drop-by Children’s Event: Magical Plants

When October 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 & 31st 2019 (times below)
Where Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Families

Join the coven for a seasonal look at some weird, wonderful and magical plants from around the world. From the famous wolfsbane of Harry Potter to the opium poppies of the ancient Egyptians, it’s all about Magical Plants this Halloween in our witch’s garden.
11.00am & 11.30am, 3.00pm & 3.30pm. Meet in the Erasmus Education Garden

Trick or Treat Halloween Bag Workshop

When Saturday 26 October 2-3.30pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? €10 – booking through eventbrite.ie required here.
Ages suitable for? 7-11 year olds

Design and print your own colourful trick or treat Halloween bag during this art workshop for 7-11 year olds with artist Jane Fogarty.

Stokerland

When Sat 26 Oct & Sun 27 Oct, 11am – 4.30pm
Where St. Patrick’s Park, Patrick St, Dublin 8
How much? Admission to Stokerland is free but there are small charges for rides and food concessions to suit all budgets, but BYOPicnics are also encouraged!

Stokerland, a pop-up Victorian fun park for families and the eternally young, will open its gothic gates on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th of October in one of Dublin’s most beautiful green spaces, St. Patrick’s Park.

With one of the city’s stunning cathedrals as a gothic backdrop, this ghoulish gathering will present street theatre, a performance tent, free face-painting, Victorian funfair rides, macabre thrills and ghoulish games for everyone to enjoy.

Complete with a food village, olde-worlde games, face-painting and more, this family-friendly fun-day is the perfect way to entertain children 12 and under this Hallowe’en Bank Holiday weekend.

Fancy dress encouraged!

Venue is wheelchair accessible from Patrick Street

AT TIME OF WRITING ONLY 4 TICKETS LEFT!

Amazing Me Yoga and J.O.Y Journey of Yoga are teaming together to bring you this Spooktacular Halloween Yoga Disco! There will be fun, Yoga, dancing and games! Children will also receive a party bag at the end!

The event will be taking place in the Green Isle Hotel on the 26th October 2019 at 2pm until 4pm. Drinks will be provided. Costumes are very welcome but please make sure your child can move comfortably in them. If you have a yoga mat please bring it along but we will have a few spares available for those without.

Tickets are just €15 if you get your ticket early!*

*Tickets will be €20 on the day however due to limited space and goody bags being made up before hand it is advised to book your child’s place early as once we reach our maximum we wont be able to take anyone else in and would hate to see you left disappointed! Book early to ensure your child’s place, this is not to be missed!

Megalithic Mid-term!

When 26th October, drop in between 1.30-3.30pm
Where National Museum of Ireland, Kildare Street (Archaeology)
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? All ages

Did you know that you can use flint stone not only to catch, but also to cook your dinner?! Drop in to our ground floor education space this October mid-term to find out how people worked with stone thousands of years ago. Meet archaeologist Dave O’Reilly to handle amazing replica stone tools and weapons and learn about the skills of people in the past! No booking required. Located in the Kildare Room, ground floor. Wheelchair accessible.

When Sat 26th Oct at 4pm and 7pm
Where dlr Mill Theatre, Dundrum Town Centre, Dundrum, Dublin 16
How much? €8 – tickets can be booked here
Ages suitable for? 4-12 year olds and their adults

Being a vampire sucks, but being Dracula’s younger brother is
driving Jackula batty.

Join Jackula on a spooktacular quest to to step out of his older brother’s shadow and become the world’s first fun vampire. Laugh as Jackula makes his pet ghost dance. Gasp as Jackula balances five glasses of water on his face. Smile as children help him perform spellbinding tricks. An inspirational Halloween magic show about staying true to yourself. The show is performed by Jeff Keough who has entertained at The White House, Lenister House, and his daughter’s Senior Infant Class.

Jackula has been recommended by the Irish Times. The Irish Independent said Jackula is “Family fun guaranteed.” Book now as Jackula regularly sells out. This show is for children aged 4-12. Show time: 80 minutes

Spooky Science!

When Sat 26th – Mon 28th Oct: 11am & 2pm,
Tues 29th – Thu 31st Oct: 11am

Where Cool Planet Experience, Powerscourt Estate, Co Wicklow
How much? €20 per child
Ages suitable for? 6-12 year olds

Join us as spooky science festivities take over Cool Planet Experience this October mid-term. Kids will release their mad scientist by stepping into our spooktacular lab experience, where oozing, bubbling potions, glowing slime and fang-tastic explosions are sure to delight.

Explore the spookier side of chemistry to discover how a 1°C change can unleash mind-boggling chain reactions.

Spooktacular Halloween Events in Crumlin, Kimmage, Terenure and Walkinstown

There are some fangtastic ghoulish events taking place this year for Halloween in Crumlin, Kimmage, Terenure and Walkinstown.

Highlights include:

A Halloween Market in Bushy Park on Saturday, 26th October from 11am – 4pm,
An Active Age Fancy Dress party in Stanaway Court on Tuesday, 29th October from 2pm – 5pm
Wanda the Witch Storyteller in Dolphin’s Barn Library on Thursday, 31st October, from 11.00 am – 1.30pm
Wanda the Witch Storyteller in Walkinstown Library on Thursday, 31st October, from 2 pm – 3.30 Pm
A Zombie Fun Run in Brickfield Park on Thursday, 31st October at 3pm
A Zombie Fun Run on Sundrive Road on Thursday, 31st October at 3.30pm

A family-friendly Halloween Festival in Clogher Road Sports Centre on Thursday, 31st October from 12 Noon – 3 pm

Samhain

Samhain, everybody’s favourite phantasmal forest of fright will materialise before your very eyes in Marlay Park on Sunday October 27th 2019. The annual spookfest is back in all its gory glory with the sounds, shadows and creatures of the night that only appear in Marlay Park once a year on the haunted forest walk.

Dress your worst, in your most freakily frightening costume and join us this for this unique fright in the forest. But remember, once you enter the haunted forest walk there is no controlling the spectral spirits so do not get too close.

We want to see you in your Halloween costumes but remember Samhain is an outdoor event so warm clothing is recommended. The walk is approx. 1.7km long on a path suitable for buggies and wheelchairs. The 3.30pm walk at Samhain will be tailored to suit people with special needs. This means that music and sound effects will be quieter, special effects and lighting will be softer and we will limit the number of visitors in comparison to other entry times in order to reduce queuing times in so far as is practicable.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

The Haunted Forest Walk will be open between 3.30pm and 8.30pm and Entry is FREE but by WRISTBAND ONLY. Entry times to queue for the Haunted Forest Walk are printed on your wristband. Times are: 3.30pm, 4pm, 4.30pm, 5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.30pm, 7pm, 7.30pm and 8pm. There will be no fireworks display at the event.

WRISTBAND COLLECTION

There is no online booking or purchase system for Wristbands to go to Samhain. Wristbands can only be obtained by collection in person at the Cricket Pitch in Marlay Park on Saturday October 19th and Sunday October 20th from 2pm each day.

Wristbands will be available while stocks last or until 4pm on a strictly first come
first served basis, limited to six per family.
You can collect wristbands for the 3.30pm walk only, which will be tailored to suit people with special needs, by using the signposted fast track collection lane.
Parking for wristband collection is in the College Road Car Park of Marlay Park only.
Please do not park on Grange Road, in local estates or roads surrounding Marlay Park.

Drop in family workshop – Halloween

When Sunday drop in between 11.30-1.30pm
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Children of all ages and their adult

Spooky Hallowe’en workshop with illustrator Fuchsia McAree, in association with Children’s Books Ireland

We’re delighted to collaborate with Children’s Books Ireland on this spooky creative workshop for children and their families!

At our weekly drop-in workshop, children and their parents/guardians/carers are encouraged to work together on creative projects. Drop-in and stay for as long (or as little!) as you wish.Paragraph

Suitable for children of all ages, these workshops take place in the Maples Group Creative Space in our Atrium.

Children’s Books Ireland: Book Clinic

When 27 October 12.00 – 16.00
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Children of all ages and their adult

Are you a young reader? Looking for a new series to delve into? Feeling uninspired by your bookshelves at home? Do you need a prescription for a new read? Then pop along to the CBI Book Clinic, where the CBI Book Doctor will be ready to offer the best advice for young readers.

At this special book clinic, the book doctor will ask children to pick a piece of art from the Irish art collection and will recommend a book based on the piece of art, as well as talking to them more generally about their reading interests. Children will leave with a CBI Reading Passport, and a prescription for their next read to take to their local bookshop or library. The CBI Book Clinic is always free of charge and drop-in on a first come first served basis, although waiting lists will apply during busy periods.

We are delighted to collaborate with Children’s Books Ireland on this event.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is child-mw-tour-toddler-2017.jpg

Family-friendly tour

When Sunday’s 12.30-1.15pm and also on Monday 28th
Where National Gallery of Ireland, Merrion Square West, Dublin 2
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? All families welcome

Join us for a special tour designed for children and their guardians, parents and carers.Paragraph

Our aim is to make the artworks fun and engaging for kids, and to welcome families and visitors of all ages and encourage them to feel comfortable in the Gallery.

All welcome; no booking necessary.

Mid term camp

When Monday, 28th October – Friday, 1st November from 9.30-2.30
Where Turvey Nature Reserve
How much? Contact Mouse at info@owls.ie to book a place or for more information.
Ages suitable for? 5-12 year olds

Dracula’s Disco 2019

When Bank Holiday Mon 28 Oct @ 2-4pm (last entry 3.45pm)
Where Meeting House Square
How much? Free, first come, first served basis
Ages suitable for? For Ages 5+

Get in the spooky spirit with Dracula’s own DJ spinning the decks and scratching vinyl for our free family music and dance party in Meeting House Square for Ages 5+. Part of the Bram Stoker Festival 2019.

Due to popular demand, we welcome back Dracula’s Disco with DJ Will Softly who will be playing all the latest hits for you to enjoy complete with confetti cannons to inspire some seriously deadly dancing! This fun-packed and energetic DJ set will be perfect for young zombies, ghosts and all music-loving monsters. So get your boo!-gie on and have a blast!

Come along in costumes of any kind and make up your own graveyard dance moves. Entrance via East Essex Street.

Inspectorium: Fearsome Fangs!

When 29th October, drop in between 11am – 1pm
Where National Museum of Ireland, Merrion Street (Natural History)
How much? Free
Ages suitable for? Families

Drop in to the Wonder Cabinet to sharpen your knowledge about all things toothy for Halloween! What’s scarier, the tarantula’s fangs or the vampire bat’s canines? Inspect these up close using our microscope, and touch more real terrifying teeth from our collection. No booking required but there may be short waiting time. Wheelchair accessible.

Spooktacular Stroll in the Woods!

Join Mouse, Red Squirrel, and Swan on the SPOOKIEST event of the year! We will set out from Turvey car park and make our way down the perilous path to the OWLS camp. Those who survive will enjoy stories around the campfire. If any live to tell the tale, it will no doubt be one to remember!

Bookings taken on eventbrite at this address!

Email Mouse at info@owls.ie for more information.

To celebrate Halloween, Free Arts & Crafts Sessions will take place in Finglas Library, Main Shopping Centre, Jamestown Road, Finglas, on Wednesday, 30^th October.

The 1^st session will start at 1.30 pm and the second session will start at 3.30 pm (45 minutes per session)

To book a session: T. (01) 834 4906 or email finglaslibrary@dublincity.ie

Halloween Art Workshop: Bubble, Boil and Trouble!

When 31st October 2-3.30pm
Where Collins Barracks (Decorative Arts & History)
How much? Free, booking required – +353 1 6777444
Ages suitable for? Children 7+ and their adults

Celebrate Halloween at Collins Barracks by unleashing your inner witch or wizard at a special art workshop! Find out about potions from the past, and how they were made, and if you feel like it, come along in your fang-tastic costumes! Admission free. Booking Required.

Kickstart the Halloween fun by coming down to the Kidspace Rathcoole or Kidspace Rathfarnham for a Halloween Spook-tacular.

We have two activities happening which are suitable for children from 3-8 years old and are available to pre-book.

Come down in your best fancy dress and join us for a 30 minute pumpkin carving workshop at 11am. Your little ones will love creating a crazy faces for their pumpkin and carving it out. They will be as proud as punch when they get to take home their very own pumpkin afterwards.

At 12noon we have a slime monsters workshop. Kids will be getting hands-on to create their very own gooey slime from scratch. They will also have the opportunity to add on different features to create their own unique slimy monster. Everyone will get to take home their own spooky creation!

Book your preferred workshop, along with 90 mins play for €12 (normal entry is €7.50) or why not upgrade to a meal deal for an extra €2.50. Meaning you can have a 30 min activity, 90 mins play time and lunch all for €15.

Booking is essential as places are limited for these activities.Rathcoole Event:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kidspace-rathcoole-halloween-spook-tacular-tickets-75164331539
Rathfarnham Event:https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/kidspace-rathfarnham-halloween-spook-tacular-tickets-76890606875

After Dark

When Thursday 31st October at 6.15pm
Where St Patricks Cathedral
How much? Free, but you must get a ticket click here
Ages suitable for? all ages

Join us this All Hallows’ Eve for another candlelit recital of suitably chilling music including Dukas Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor, Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, Grieg In the hall of the mountain King with just a little musical meddling from Harry Potter.

Join us this All Hallows’ Eve for a candlelit recital of suitably chilling music including Saint-Saens Danse Macabre, Gounod’s Funeral March of a Marionette, John Williams’ Hedwig’s Theme and Bach’s immortal Toccata and Fugue in D minor – all of which should send a terrifying shiver up your spines!

Suitable for all ages – but not the faint hearted!

Stuart Nicholson organ · Victoria Green guitar · Michael Lee narrator
plus a special guest appearance by the late Alfred Hitchcock!
Admission Free · Retiring Collection in aid of Jack and Jill Foundation

Free but registration required

The concert will conclude with a retiring collection in aid of BARNADOS.

Pre book the events below for future family fun

Sam and the giants breakfast

When Saturday 2nd November
Where National Concert Hall, Ballsbridge
How much? €12, discounts available
Ages suitable for? aimed at 6-12 year olds and their adults

Sam is bored, so very bored. He complains about it all the time. People are bored of hearing how bored he is.

On Halloween, a witch’s elf overhears him and decides to teach him a lesson…

Join the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for a Halloween adventure, where the world of classical music is brought to life through storytelling and imagination.

Start with some fun foyer activities, then take part in one of our interactive workshops with members of the RTÉ NSO, and explore our musical treasure hunt.

Then make your way to the main auditorium where the orchestra will bring Sam’s adventures to life with presenter Jonathan James in an interactive family concert, featuring some of the most spectacular works in classical music.

Fancy dress is encouraged; a great time is promised!

Designed for ages 6-12 years, all are welcome.

Exploring Sound & Music with Eamon Sweeney

When Friday 8th Nov at 10.15 and again at 11.30
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? €5 call to book – 01 8852622
Ages suitable for? 2-4 year olds and their adults.

See and play music in a free and open environment with musician Eamon Sweeney, using gongs, chimes, bells, ocean drums, simple percussion instruments and song.

This series of individual monthly workshops is intended to allow you and your child to explore different art mediums in an open and undirected way. There will be mess but there will also be fun! Cost: €5 per child per workshop (accompanying adult is free). Box Office on 01-8852622.

WORKSHOP NOTES
These workshops are designed for children aged 2-4 years. Please respect age limits as each workshop has been designed especially for this age range. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child. These sessions are only suitable for one parent/guardian and accompanying child (without siblings).

Make Your Own Mini Francis Bacon Studio

When Saturday 9 November, 2-3.30pm
Where Dublin City Gallery, The Hugh Lane
How much? Fee €10, booking through eventbrite.ie is required here.
Ages suitable for? 7-11 year olds

Animal Tracking Fitzsimon’s Wood

When Sunday, 10th November, 12:30-2pm
Where Corkagh Park.
How much? Supported by South Dublin County Council – a free event.
Ages suitable for? Families

Want to attract butterflies to your garden? Why not try making your own colourful feeder to encourage these beautiful insects! This is a fun and easy craft activity involving the whole family, especially children 4 years and up.
Email Mouse at info@owls.ie to book a place or for more information

Shooting For the Stars with Norah Patten

When November 17, 2019 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Where National Botanic Gardens, Glasnevin
How much? Free entry. Places limited, booking essential.
Ages suitable for? Children 5+ and their adult

Come and join scientist-astronaut candidate Norah Patten, author of Shooting for the Stars (The O’Brien Press) and explore the cosmos through space travel, learn all about astronauts and prepare for your very own space mission! With Norah on course to become Ireland’s first astronaut, she will teach you everything you need to know, from space suits to rocket launches. Join in the fun, as you design your very own mission patch and prepare everything you need for your journey to the stars.

Free Family Day: Winter Printer

When Saturday 23rd November 12-3pm
Where Draíocht Galleries, The Blanchardstown Centre, Dublin 15
How much? Free but space is limited
Ages suitable for? Designed for 5-10 year olds although younger/older siblings welcome

Create your reindeer and print him green, etch an elephant and add a red nose, stamp a tree with purple snow. Our artists will be on hand to show you the techniques to print a Christmas Card and you can show us just how crazy your festive imagination can be!

FAMILY DAY NOTES:
Sessions Are Free, But Space Is Limited. Max 50 per workshop.
Session 1: 12PM-12.50PM
Session 2: 1PM-1.50PM
Session 3: 2PM-2.50PM
Dress for Mess. Unless otherwise stated workshops are designed for children from 5-10 years, though younger and older siblings are welcome to take part. Please be aware that Draíocht’s Family Days are not designed for groups. All children must be accompanied by an adult and all adults must be accompanied by a child!

We hope that you have a great week.

ClapHandies run regular baby massage courses suitable for babies 6 weeks – 9 months. As well as benefits for your baby, it’s a really great way to make some new friends at the same stage of parenting as you are.

ClapHandies PlayLabs happen around the Dublin area during term time. If you have a baby, wobbler or toddler, why don’t you book and join one of our PlayLabs?