Updated: July 2024
For lovers of sentimentality with a sprinkle of cosy spookiness, autumn in Ireland offers mild weather and fewer crowds. As the birthplace of Halloween, from the 2000-year-old festival of Samhain, Ireland sends the summer season off with a bang.
Delight in the cultural feast that is the Dublin Theatre Festival, showcasing a vibrant mix of local and international performances. Melt into the smooth beats of the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival, and join the soul of Irish creativity at the Belfast International Arts Festival, where theatre, dance, music, and visual arts come alive across the city.
Embrace autumn’s serenity by hiring a campervan from Dublin! Campervans lend you the unprecedented freedom to take in the sights. Stop whenever you see something extraordinary, and go for a hike or just take in the landscape, as Yeats wonderfully captured: “The trees are in their autumn beauty… Under the October twilight the water mirrors a still sky.”
Book your campervan with Craic N Campers for an unforgettable and cosy adventure amidst Ireland’s autumnal charm.
Belfast International Arts Festival
One of the most beautiful autumn festivals in Ireland, it covers theatre, dance, classical and roots music, visual art, film, digital arts, and literature. You can admire the artwork from afar, or walk in and become part of it!
The Belfast International Arts Festival runs from October 6th to October 28th, and is accompanied by outreach and educational events! So, loads going on! Events happen at different locations around the city and it is well worth a visit!
- 16 October – 2 November 2024
- Over 30 venues across Belfast
While enjoying the autumn festival, you can stay at Dundonald Touring Caravan Park, conveniently located near the city. You can easily get into the city from here and you are also close to local amenities such as restaurants, a cinema, a bowling alley and an ice skating rink!
Take a few days and spend some time travelling across Northern Ireland’s beautiful Causeway coastal route!
Púca Festival
Experience the magic and mystery of Ireland’s Púca Halloween Festival, a celebration of Irish storytelling, mischief, music, food and spectacle.
Pay homage to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, the original Halloween! Held in County Meath and County Louth, it spans over several days, transforming historic locations into a blend of folklore, myth, and Halloween fun.
The Púca Festival offers a rich program including live music performances, light installations, a circus, and heritage tours. You can also hope to relax with guided meditation and even reach out to your ancestors in a workshop! The educational program includes foraging and herbology tours.
Sink into the festive spirit with themed food markets, craft stalls, and spooky surprises around every corner. Central to the festival is Samhain, a traditional celebration that is reimagined with contemporary flair, providing an unforgettable experience for all ages.
A nearby campsite to consider is Loughcrew Megalithic Centre, located in County Meath. This family-friendly site offers facilities such as a playground, games room, and communal kitchen.
https://www.loughcrewmegalithiccentre.com/loughcrew-accommodation/
Savour Kilkenny
Celebrate autumn at one of Ireland’s favourite food festivals, Savour Kilkenny!
One of the most popular festivals in the autumn season, it takes place in Kilkenny’s Medieval city in Ireland’s Ancient East.
Drop by, and you can taste the best that Irish local producers, distilleries, and breweries have to offer. Enjoy a weekend filled with entertainment for adults and kids, including free and ticketed events.
Held over the October bank holiday weekend (October 27th-30th), this festival has grown, welcoming over 50,000 visitors in 2022.
Renowned chefs including Neven Maguire, David and Stephen Flynn of the Happy Pear fame and Catherine Fulvio will hold cooking demos, talks, workshops, competitions and unique dining events. Check out their website and Facebook for a more detailed itinerary of what is happening!
Just 1.5 km from the city is Tree Grove Caravan and Camping Park which is an ideal location to stay in over the weekend!
Cork Jazz Festival
Next up, we have the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival which has been hosting the most talented musicians in the world for over 40 years!
The city comes alive from October 27th to October 30th with live music and jazz-themed happening all over. Some of these venues are ticketed and you will have to pay to get in, but if you just want to head down and experience the wonderful atmosphere, there are plenty of free events to explore.
This renowned five-day event hosts an eclectic mix of artists, becoming one of the largest music-centred city celebrations in Ireland. Why not plan a holiday in Ireland around one of the top fall festivals in Ireland and explore more of what Cork has to offer?
Blarney Caravan and Camping Park are just 6 miles outside Cork City. Stay there where you can get a bus into the city and a taxi back out from the festival! Then you can explore Blarney and the surrounding areas!
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival
If you are around Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, you have to visit one of the most quirky autumn festivals near you! Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival, Europe’s biggest singles fest runs from September 1st to October 8th.
This month-long event on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way attracts 60,000 people worldwide for love, fun, and ‘craic’. Perfect for friend groups, the festival features live music and dancing in bars from noon to the early hours of the morning.
Lisdoonvarna is about an hour’s drive south of Galway, and it’s one of Ireland’s oldest traditional festivals, running for 150 years!
Head to this festival, which spans six weekends, for fun, live music, dancing, and great craic. And if you find love along the way, that’s a bonus!
A campsite nearby would be Nagles Camping and Caravan Park in Doolin, only ten minutes from Lisdoonvarna.
Also, Riverside Camping which too is based in Doolin.
Galway International Oyster Festival
The Galway International Oyster Festival is another long-running festival, 63 years! This runs from September 22nd to September 24th and has loads going on!
Beginning on a Friday evening with plenty of live music and entertainment followed by the World Oyster Opening Championship the next day. Also on Saturday is the Festival Marquee a gala event along with family activities, live music, cooking demonstrations and much more!
The night will begin with an Oyster and Prosecco reception followed by a starter course in different venues around Galway. Then parade ‘Mardi Gras style’ to the final venue for the main course, dessert and dancing!
Finally, on Sunday it is a family day with catering for both adults and children, musical performances in the festival marquee and plenty of entertainment!
Stay in Salthill Caravan Park where you can walk out of the city or easily catch a bus or taxi!
Festival Name | Date | Capacity | Type | Location | Price |
Dublin Theatre Festival | September - October | Various | Theatre | Dublin | Community Tickets scheme, various |
Guinness Cork Jazz Festival | October 27-30 | Various | Jazz Music | Cork | Various, depending on the performer |
Belfast International Arts Festival | October 6-28 | Various | Arts | Belfast | Various, depending on the performer |
Púca Festival | Late October | Various | Halloween | Meath and Louth | €6.98-€60.98, depending on the event |
Savour Kilkenny | October 27-30 | 50,000 | Food | Kilkenny | Various |
Lisdoonvarna Matchmaking Festival | September 1 - October 8 | 60,000 | Matchmaking | LisdoonvarnaClare | Free, with various concert tickets |
Galway International Oyster Festival | September 22-24 | Various | Oyster Festival | Galway | Various, €175-weekend pass for all events |
Choose The Right Autumn Festivals for You!
Experience the charm of settling at camper sites, meeting friendly Irish locals, and mingling with tourists from around the world. Renting a camper van offers you the flexibility to explore Ireland’s stunning landscapes and vibrant festivals at your own pace.
Have a great Autumn, everybody!
Craic N Campers
