At the end of October, the shadow of Dracula falls over Dublin. For four days, the capital’s theatres, libraries, parks and streets host the Bram Stoker Festival, a major celebration of the gothic, the supernatural and the world of the celebrated Irish writer.
Far more than vampires and bloody costumes, the festival explores Bram Stoker’s life, Victorian Dublin and the considerable influence of his novel Dracula on literature, cinema and popular culture.
Bram Stoker Festival performance in Dublin – © William Murphy
The Bram Stoker Festival 2026 will take place from Friday 23 to Monday 26 October. Over four days and four nights, Dublin will offer a programme bringing together street arts, literature, theatre, cinema, music and night-time experiences.
Events are held across different neighbourhoods and cultural venues in the capital. The festival therefore has no single site: each event has its own schedule, address and admission arrangements.
The full programme for the 2026 edition has not yet been revealed. For now, organisers are promising new “deadly adventures” for gothic culture enthusiasts and families alike.
Previous editions have featured major parades, film screenings, outdoor performances, candlelit concerts, theatre productions, literary events and immersive experiences. Some of these formats may return in 2026, but their inclusion will need to be confirmed when the programme is published.
Created in 2012 at the initiative of Dublin City Council, the Bram Stoker Festival has become one of Dublin’s leading cultural events of the autumn. More than 60,000 people attended its 2025 edition.
The festival celebrates Bram Stoker’s legacy by exploring his work, his era and the many worlds that emerged in the wake of Dracula.
Its programme is not limited to horror. It regularly combines live performance, contemporary creations, heritage, literature and popular culture. Visitors can move from a talk on Stoker’s writing to a night-time performance, then on to a film screening or family workshop.
The atmosphere changes as the day unfolds. Daytime activities are generally accessible and playful, while evening performances favour a darker, more Victorian and mysterious mood.
Bram Stoker, author of the novel Dracula – Public domain
Abraham Stoker, better known as Bram Stoker, was born on 8 November 1847 at Marino Crescent in the Clontarf area. Ill for part of his childhood, he was reportedly unable to walk properly before the age of seven.
Yet his health improved dramatically. A student at Trinity College Dublin between 1864 and 1870, he became an accomplished sportsman and took an active role in the university’s leading debating societies.
After his studies, Stoker spent around ten years working in the administration at Dublin Castle. He also wrote theatre reviews for the Dublin Evening Mail, a newspaper then jointly edited by the Irish gothic writer Sheridan Le Fanu.
In 1878, Bram Stoker married Florence Balcombe at St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street. The couple then left Dublin for London, where Stoker became secretary and manager to the celebrated actor Henry Irving at the Lyceum Theatre.
Bram Stoker published Dracula in 1897. The novel tells of the confrontation between a Transylvanian vampire and a group of characters determined to prevent his influence from spreading across England.
Contrary to a claim sometimes made, the book was not written entirely in Dublin. Stoker lived in London while writing it and spent several years on his research.
His childhood and Irish roots may nevertheless have fed his imagination. His mother, Charlotte Thornley, told him stories shaped by epidemics, death and folklore. Irish traditions also spoke of revenants, dangerous fairies and passages between the world of the living and the dead.
Some researchers also draw parallels between Dracula and figures from Irish folklore such as Abhartach. It would, however, be excessive to claim that this character was the certain origin of Stoker’s vampire. The writer’s influences were numerous and also included European gothic literature, Victorian theatre and his historical research.
The festival programme changes entirely from one year to the next. Each edition presents a selection of original creations and events held in sometimes unexpected venues.
Large outdoor installations and parades are generally among the most popular events. They can bring together giant puppets, live music, lighting effects and fantastical characters on Dublin’s streets.
Performance venues and cultural institutions host theatre productions, concerts, cabarets, readings and talks. Cinemas also show horror films, gothic classics and screenings accompanied by musicians.
Some events focus directly on Bram Stoker’s life, his archives and his lesser-known works. The festival therefore offers a chance to look beyond Dracula alone and discover an author far richer than his famous vampire might suggest.
The Bram Stoker Festival is not solely for adults and horror-film fans. Part of its programme is specially created for children.
Previous editions have included performances, creative workshops, face painting, musical activities and spaces inspired by Victorian funfairs.
Family events are generally held during the day and take a more fantastical than frightening approach. The age guidance published for each performance should nevertheless be checked before booking.
Some night-time productions may include loud sound effects, unsettling scenes or an atmosphere that is unsuitable for young children. Organisers normally specify any warnings on each event listing.
The festival combines free outdoor activities with ticketed performances in indoor venues. In 2025, around one third of the programme was free.
Some free events, particularly major street activities, can be attended without booking. Others require a free ticket because venue capacity is limited.
Concerts, theatre productions, special screenings and immersive experiences are generally ticketed. Prices vary depending on the venue and type of performance.
The most anticipated events can sell out several weeks before the festival. It is therefore advisable to check the programme as soon as it is published and book indoor events quickly.
Rather than taking place at a closed site, the festival spreads across different parts of Dublin. Performances may be held in theatres, parks, libraries, concert halls, cathedrals or directly on the streets.
Participating venues change every year. Previous editions have worked with major institutions including the National Concert Hall, the National Museum of Ireland, the Abbey Theatre and the National Library of Ireland.
This spread allows visitors to discover several sides of Dublin, but it requires some advance planning. Before booking two performances in succession, check their addresses and allow enough time to get from one venue to the other.
The city centre is easy to explore on foot, by Luas or by bus. Transport may, however, be diverted during major parades and performances occupying public spaces.
A stay during the festival also offers the chance to discover several places associated with Bram Stoker. His birthplace stands at number 15 Marino Crescent in Clontarf. It is a private property and can only be viewed from the outside.
Trinity College preserves the memory of his student years and his involvement in debating societies. Dublin Castle, meanwhile, recalls his career as a civil servant before he left for London.
St Ann’s Church on Dawson Street is where Bram Stoker married Florence Balcombe in 1878. Mount Jerome Cemetery contains several members of the Stoker family, although the writer himself was cremated in London.
These places are not systematically part of the official programme. They nevertheless make it possible to create a literary itinerary around the festival and better understand the Dublin connections of Dracula’s creator.
The full programme is generally revealed as autumn approaches. Signing up for the official newsletter means you can be informed when bookings open.
It is best to select ticketed or capacity-limited events first, then plan outdoor performances around those times. Allow sufficient time between venues: crowds and occasional street closures can slow journeys down.
The festival coincides with a particularly busy time in Dublin. Accommodation in the city centre can quickly become expensive. Booking ahead is recommended for the nights of 23 to 26 October.
Finally, bring warm clothing, a waterproof jacket and comfortable shoes. A significant part of the festival takes place outdoors, sometimes after nightfall.
Announcements and ticketing will be published on the official Bram Stoker Festival website.
Essential information to help you plan your visit, including key landmarks, access information, and booking options.
Consultez le programme pour vous rendre sur les lieux de chaque animations, Dublin, County Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Tourist sites in Ireland
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Prices for the Bram Stoker Festival vary depending on the event.
Part of the programme is free, including certain outdoor performances and family activities. Booking may nevertheless be required when capacity is limited.
Theatre productions, concerts, screenings and immersive experiences may be ticketed. Prices for 2026 will be announced when the programme is published and ticket sales open.
