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festivals · Thursday 1 October 2026 · Various 
Dead of Night Festival
At Longford Town · Longford Town, Co. Longford
At Longford Town · Longford Town, Co. Longford
Longford town’s Halloween season opens on Thursday 1 October 2026 with the Dead of Night Festival, which Visit Longford describes as transforming the town into a thrilling celebration of folklore, mystery and Halloween entertainment, built around live performances, interactive experiences, themed attractions and atmospheric storytelling aimed at all ages. The same day carries a second, closely linked strand, Samhain in the Heartlands, a joint Longford-Westmeath Home of Halloween programme that draws on ancient traditions and folklore tied to the Samhain festival, with its own storytelling, music, fire displays and family-friendly activities rooted in Ireland’s mythological heritage.
Both are listed by the county tourism office for the same date and the same general Longford town area, and between them the day reads as a family-friendly daytime programme building into more atmospheric, folklore-driven entertainment once evening sets in. It marks the start of a run of Halloween-season events across the county through October, including later dates at Edward J. Valentine’s in the town and at Doory Hall Demesne on the outskirts. Visit Longford’s own listings frame the day as season-opening rather than a one-off, so expect Halloween decoration and window displays around the town centre to build in the days before it.
Longford town sits on the N4 Dublin to Sligo road and on the Dublin Heuston to Westport and Ballina rail line, around 90 minutes from Dublin by car or train, with Bus Eireann services also running into the town. Public car parks are available around the town centre, which is compact enough to cover on foot once you arrive.
Heading to Longford Town in Longford? Longford has plenty more to see. Read the Longford area guide, find what else is on, and explore the towns and villages nearby.