Carnival of Carnage: The Big Scream Halloween Festival Makes a Spooktacular Return

Over the coming days, communities in Dublin’s North East Inner City — along with their children and even their dogs — will come together to celebrate this year’s Big Scream Festival.

Themed the ‘Carnival of Carnage’, The Big Scream was officially launched today by Lord Mayor of Dublin Councillor Ray McAdam with children from six local schools who have just completed 6 weeks of drumming, stilt walking, poi and various circus skills workshops. Representatives of the Safety Services- Dublin Fire Brigade with a fire engine, DCC Animal Welfare with two ponies generously loaned for the day from Vision Ireland and An Garda Siochana attended the launch event, highlighting the important work they do within the community at this time of year.

Led by stiltwalkers and drummers, the Lord Mayor with the school children paraded to the Royal Canal Greenway, showcasing the skills learned with drumming group Masamba and carnival artist Hugh Brown.

The Big Scream Festival, organised by the Dublin City Community Co-op with the support of NEIC (North East Inner City) and Dublin City Council, features seventeen activities and events across Dublin 1 all designed to celebrate Halloween safely within the community. The festival is run, managed and delivered by a community-led steering group with local youth and childcare committees providing activities for over 1,000 children and young people in the run-up to Halloween.

Over ten days, participants can enjoy Horrible History Walks, the Haunted House of Horrors, Bank Holiday Bingo with Witch Nicola and a film screening, all designed to celebrate Halloween with the community. Other events include a doggy dress-up parade in Diamond Park, synchronised swimming in Sean McDermott Street Pool and performances of the Carnival Chorus, a global music event, on Wednesday 22^nd October in Sean McDermott St Church.

The big finish is the spooktacular Big Scream Carnival on October 31 where local families can enjoy free funfair carnival rides on Sean McDermott Street, a ride on the Ghost Train along the Royal Canal Greenway, and the Sheriff Street Skelebration community fun fair.

This year, as well as the traditional scary events, there will be a focus on adapting festival activities for children with additional needs for whom Halloween can cause distress. This includes a calm hour at the start of the festival activities on Sean McDermott Street on October 31.

Halloween safety talks are taking place in local schools with visits by members of the Dublin City Fire Service, Animal Welfare and An Garda Síochána to learn about fire prevention, harm reduction and animal safety.

The Big Scream Festival is part of the NEIC Halloween Community Festival, running from October 21 to October 31 2025, with events across Dublin including Seán McDermott Street, Ballybough, North Strand, Sheriff Street, Mountjoy Square and North Wall.

All events are free, providing accessible entertainment and cultural activities for local residents from per-schoolers to senior citizens, culminating in the main Big Scream Festival on Halloween itself. Check out www.bigscream.ie for details.

Public events include:

Tuesday 21^st October

• Big Scream Launch Parade in St Laurence O’ Toole’s CBS and Seville Place.

Wednesday 22^nd October

• Carnival Chorus – an evening of Global Music Event at Our Lourdes Church Sean McDermott Street

Thursday 23^rd October

• Aquatic Carnival of Horrors – Sync Swimming Gala at Sean McDermott Pool

Friday 24^th October

• Horrible History Walk with Five Lamps Arts. Meeting point at Mud Island North Strand

Saturday 25^th October

• Community Dog Show & Best Dressed Dog Competition at Diamond Park

Monday 27^th October

• Spooktacular Bank Holiday Bingo. Taking place online, Zoom link available on Big Scream Website

Tuesday 28^th October

• Carnival Cookery with Rachel at Portland Cafe Cross Care

Wednesday 29^th October

• Carnival Cookery with Rachel at Portland Cafe Cross Care
• Haunted House of Horrors in St Agatha’s Hall, Dunne Street

Thursday 30^th October

• Haunted House of Horrors in St Agatha’s Hall, Dunne Street

Friday 31^st October

• Big Scream Carnival on October 31 where local families can enjoy free funfair carnival rides on Sean McDermott Street
• Calm Hour, taking place on Sean McDermott Street, as part of Halloween Carnival
• Origins of Halloween, a talk by Dr ALISON Galbari in Charleville Library
• Little Boos Sheriff Street Parade. Meeting point outside St Laurence O’ Toole Recreation Centre
• Sheriff Street Skelebration on Commons Street
• Canal Creepfest taking place at the Royal Canal Greenway
• Spooky Cinema at Diamond Park

Full details can be found at www.bigscream.ie