Photography by Ken Finegan Newspics/Louth County Council
Ferdia Festival Ardee returns this Halloween with an expanded two-day programme of arts, music, heritage, and community events.
The festival will take place on Saturday, 31st October and Sunday, 1st November across venues throughout the town.
This year’s theme once again draws on Samhain and Halloween, with Ardee itself at the centre of the celebrations.
The programme includes art workshops, a pop-up museum, walking tours, spooky street performances, parades, discos and live music.
Events will take place across a number of locations including St Mary’s Church, Ardee School of Music, the Bohemian Centre, Dee Hub and Fair Green Park.
New parade and fire show
New for 2026, a street parade will bring professional performers together with local children for dance and drumming performances.
The festival will finish with a fire show at Fair Green Park on Sunday evening.
Ferdia Festival was first launched in 2025 with the aim of expanding Ardee’s autumn arts programme while celebrating the town’s heritage and creative community.
More than 500 people attended the first festival, and organisers have built on that with a larger programme this year.
Hatch’s Castle Witches Coven at the Ardee Ferdia Festival 2025
‘Bigger and better’
Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr Dolores Minogue welcomed the festival’s return.
“Following the success of the inaugural Ferdia Festival last year it is wonderful to see the festival return even bigger and better in 2026,” she said.
“The ambition and dedication of the voluntary committee has been remarkable, expanding the event from a one-day festival into a vibrant two-day celebration of arts, heritage and community.”
She encouraged people to attend and support the expanded programme.
Community at the heart of the festival
Helen McManus, Chair of the Ferdia Festival Committee, said the event is built around local participation and collaboration.
“Ferdia Festival is built on community participation and collaboration, bringing together local artists, performers, volunteers, community groups and audiences to celebrate Ardee’s unique heritage and creativity,” she said.
She added that organisers are working to make the festival as accessible as possible and encouraged anyone with accessibility requirements to contact the committee in advance.
The festival is also looking for additional volunteers to get involved this year.
Supporting local arts
Moya Hodgers, Arts Officer with Louth County Council, said Ferdia Festival was helping to create opportunities for people to engage with the arts locally.
“Ferdia Festival shows the lasting impact of community-led investment in culture, creating opportunities for people to engage with the arts while supporting local artists, performers, and venues,” she said.
She added that the festival’s growth was also contributing to Ardee’s cultural life and the wider creative economy in County Louth.
Ferdia Festival is coordinated by a voluntary committee and funded by Louth County Council and the Arts Council of Ireland.
For accessibility information or volunteering opportunities, contact ferdiafestival@gmail.com.
The full programme, booking information, and age guidance is available through Louth Arts Office.
The witches at Hatch’s Castle Witches Coven at Ardee Ferdia Festival
