Company Logo - Home Link

Things to Do in Dublin in October

BOOK A TOUR

This post contains our top 10 list of the besdet things to do this October in Dublin, updated for 2022.

It includes free activities, evening entertainment, family-friendly things to do, concerts, professional sports, and other events to attend.


TOP 10 THINGS TO DO IN DUBLIN IN OCTOBER

Here are our favorite events happening in October. Don’t forget to check out the top things to do in Dublin any time of year!

Other popular Dublin posts:


1. Go to a Major Concert

If you love live music, October is a great time to be in Dublin.

Several internationally-touring artists will be bringing their shows through the city.

There's also a special concert called Our Planet Live taking place at 3 Arena on October 22nd, 2022, with the National Symphony Orchestra, singer Lisa Hannigan, and narration by David Attenborough - in addition to some amazing visuals.

Tickets can be purchased here.

For more family-friendly activities or things to do after dark, check out our full posts.


2. See a Sporting Event

October is a great month to see a professional sports game in Dublin.

Football season is in full swing, so there will be several Bohemian F.C. games throughout the month.

Football (Soccer)

Rugby

The Rugby World Cup is also wrapping up this month, so you might be able to catch an Ireland Union game, depending on how far they get through qualifying rounds.

Check out all the sports happening in Dublin here.


3. Go on a Sightseeing Tour

One of the best ways to see the city of Dublin is by taking a pay-what-you-like walking tour. You’ll learn a lot about how Dublin was built, as well as today’s culture.

If you'd like to discover the city on your own, taking yourself on a self-guided tour is a low-key way to explore.

Dublin Walking Tours

With Halloween approaching, October is the perfect time to take a Ghostbus Tour!

If you aren’t a fan of the themed tours, hop-on-hop-off bus rides are a popular way to catch a tour and some convenient transportation.

Don’t forget to check out the boat tours available as well.

TIP: If you need somewhere to securely store your bulkier belongings while taking a tour, read our post on luggage storage options in Dublin.


4. Enjoy the Theatre or Stand-up

If you’re into theatre productions, My Fair Lady will be in Dublin from October 6th - 30th.

This beloved musical made its first appearance on Broadway in New York City in 1956 and has been touring ever since.

The murder mystery, Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap, will also be on stage in October, from the 3rd to the 15th, at the Gaiety Theatre.

It is the world's longest running play and this is it's 70th anniversary tour!

If you’re interested in a comedy show, Bret McKenzie of Flight of the Conchorts is going on a standup tour called Songs Without Jokes.

The Dublin show takes place at The National Stadium on October 9th.

To see more suggestions on things to do at night or things to do with the kids, check out our full posts.


5. Púca Festival

The word Púca comes from Irish folklore and can mean goblin or shapefhifter.

It often takes the form of a horse with golden eyes, or even a human form, amongst other creatures.

The Púca Festival runs from October 28th - 31st, 2002, celebrates Samhain (the origin of Halloween) with music, food, storytelling, and fire.

It takes place in Trim & Athboy, which is about an hour outside Dublin.

This years program can be found here. Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the individual artists.


6. Dublin Theatre Festival

From September 29th – October 16th, 2022, multiple theatres are putting on productions for the Dublin Theatre Festival.

It is Europe's oldest theatre-only festival, founded in 1957. This means that you'll see the best of the best of theatre companies and productions in October!

Participating Theatres Include:

  • Gaiety Theatre
  • Civic Theatre
  • Abbey Theatre
  • Draiocht
  • Gate Theatre
  • Pavilion Theatre

7. Halloween Fancy Dress Party

The Halloween Fancy Dress Party will feature a DJ and music at The Grand Social, one of Dublin best music venues.

It's called the "biggest Halloween bash in Dublin".

The event takes place on October 29th, 2022, with a start time of 23:00 (11 PM).

"Proper" dress (casual/upscale) is required, as are IDs. Tickets can be puchased here.


8. Bram Stoker Festival

Fans of the supernatural and author Bram Stoker will thoroughly enjoy this vampiric festival.

It is now one of Dublin's largest festivals and it falls at the most perfectly spooky time of year.

It runs on the October Bank Holiday weekend, from October 28th - 31st, 2022.

The 2022 programme will be announced in early October.

But, past events have included: an oudoor circus at night, food tours, choral ensambles, comedy show, fire gardens, panel discussions, kid-friendly discos, and much much more.

It will surely be entertaining in 2022 as well!


9. See the Major Attractions

Dublin has a lot of popular attractions to explore, and October means there will be fewer crowds to compete with.

If you're a fan of Ireland's most famous beer, grab a ticket for a self-guided tour to walk through the Guinness storehouse and learn how it's made.

Castle and history enthusiasts will enjoy Dublin Castle. It is easy to get to and has beautiful gardens to explore.

If you're with the kids, they'll enjoy the Dublin Zoo! The Zoo has multiple habitats for mammals, birds, reptiles and other groups.

They'll also enjoy the Natural History Museum, which is so full of taxidermy animals that locals call it the "Dead Zoo."

NOTE: These attractions are listed on multiple Dublin city passes.


10. Save Money with an Attraction Discount Pass

When you purchase a tourist pass, it will give you discounts in exchange for getting bundles

The all-inclusive Dublin Pass will even get you into some popular spots for free. If you’re mainly into tours, there are also bus combo passes to take advantage of.

Included with Various Attraction Passes:

  • Dublin Castle
  • Guinness Storehouse
  • Whiskey Distilleries
  • Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tours
  • Jeanie Johnston Ship
  • Boat Cruises

Check out our full tourist discount pass comparison to see how much money you could save.


RELATED POSTS:

About The Author

Stephen Pickhardt

Stephen is the CEO of Free Tours by Foot and has overseen the transformation of a local walking tour company into a global tour community and traveler’s advice platform. He has personally led thousands of group tours in the US and Europe, and is an expert in trip planning and sightseeing, with a focus on budget travelers. Stephen has been published and featured in dozens of publications including The Wall Street Journal, BBC, Yahoo, Washington.org, and more.
Updated: September 29th, 2022
Back to Top
cross