Kicking off the festival with a bang in the Trim Castle Hotel is headline act The High Kings. Their catalogue of energetic, contemporary trad is the perfect way to begin a weekend celebrating Irish culture. The next night, The 2 Johnnies will have you singing and laughing in the Púca Big Top on Halloween. If you can't stay away from a great Freddie Mercury tribute act, Trim Castle Hotel will host a Qween and Dublin Gospel Choir the same night. Imagine energetic 1970s rock blended with the classical voices of the angels. 

Saturday night will see two electronic music heavyweights taking over the Púca Big Top, Block Rockin Beats & Groove Armada DJ. So, bring your glow sticks and get ready to throw some shapes on the dance floor.

Throughout the festival, the Swift Cultural Centre will act as the base for all things comedy. Breaking in the stage on October 30 is comedian Jason Byrne with material from his latest tour Head in the Clouds. 

On November 1, very-online Irish comedy trio Shane Daniel Byrne, Tony Cantwell and Killian Sundermann will bring their stellar podcast Young Hot Guys to the live stage for a night of craic. 

Fresh off of her sold-out six-night stint in Vicar Street, Emma Doran will wrap up the comedy portion of the festival on November 2 with her deep dive into womanhood, relationships and family life. 

What’s a Halloween celebration without a little spectacle? Follow in the footsteps of Ireland's ancestors and join the Lighting of the Samhain Fire on Halloween night, and take in fantastic fire performances and Irish tales.

Or, celebrate the Home of Halloween with your fellow revelers at the annual Púca Procession. Tap your foot to the beating drums, sing along to traditional Irish music and marvel at the colossal floats depicting shapeshifting spirits as they take over Trim's main streets.

Experience the unique Sorcas na Samhna. With special effects, dancing and more, it’s a circus experience you’re unlikely to have had before, and performances for the whole family are happening across the entire weekend at the Fair Green in Athboy.

For a circus with a kick, the adults-only Samhain Circus sees magic meet mischief with creepy cabaret, high wire acts, burlesque, fire performances and more from October 30 to November 2. Expect to laugh, gasp and maybe even blush inside the Samhain Circus tent at the Fair Green Park.

On Halloween night, sit back and take in a sultry performance by the incredible Bluebird Absurd. Picture flapper-era devilment mingled with the supernatural as talented dancers and singers pull out all the stops for this decadent cabaret show. Later that evening, keep the good vibes going and head to Brogans Bar and Hotel for Davina Devine, one of Ireland's biggest drag queens, and dance along with the fantastic showgirl and her posse of guests.

Dress to impress for the Craicly Stories banquet on October 31 at the Darnley Lodge Hotel. Alongside a traditional long-table Halloween supper, you'll hear expert storytellers share Irish ghost stories, Samhain traditions and ancient Irish myths. 

Get another taste of Irish mythology at the Trim Porchfields between October 30 and November 2 with the Beyond the Veil Púca Trail. If you're a fan of ghost stories, follow guide Cynthia Simonet on a haunted walking tour through the eerie streets of Trim and learn all about the mythology and folklore of the historic festival. 

For a further deep dive into the history of the area, join one of the Heritage Tours of Tlachtga running daily throughout the festival. Now known as the Hill of Ward, this cross-section of Athboy is steeped in old Irish lore, from its connections to a sun goddess to its significance as an ancient feasting site. 

Since the River Boyne intersects parts of Meath, it only makes sense to explore its mythological history on the water. Book a slot on the Boann ”Floating Through Time” River Tour and learn about Trim's medieval past as well as tales of Boann, the Celtic Goddess who is said to have created the famous river.

The festival hubs of Trim and Athboy are both well-connected by means of public transport, so feel free to ditch the car for the weekend. For international visitors flying into Dublin Airport, Bus Éireann run hourly services from the airport to both locations. If you're starting your journey from Dublin, Drogheda, Navan, Slane, Kells or Mullingar, there is also a dedicated festival coach, but keep an eye out for any possible changes to routes or timetables.

For those travelling from Dublin city by train, take the Sligo train from Connolly Station until you reach Enfield, which is a 36-minute bus from Trim. This train leaves every 30 minutes. During the festival, you can hop on a dedicated shuttle bus which will transport you to and fro on the hour, every hour.