Photograph: Leon Farrell / Photocall Ireland
Drogheda’s streets and historic buildings will be transformed by light, colour and ancient storytelling when Lú Festival of Light 2026 returns over the October Bank Holiday weekend.
The free four-day festival will run from Friday, 23rd October to Monday, 26th October, inviting visitors to explore an evening trail through the historic heart of the town.
Large-scale projections will bring stories inspired by Irish mythology to some of Drogheda’s best-known heritage landmarks, turning the town centre into an open-air gallery after dark.
The festival is rooted in the mythology and landscape of the Boyne Valley and forms part of the wider Ireland Home of Halloween programme, which includes Meath and Louth as one of seven destination hubs nationwide.
Ancient stories brought to life
The self-guided trail will use projection mapping and animation to tell stories of Celtic gods, goddesses, legendary heroes and supernatural creatures.
Landmark buildings including St Peter’s Church, St Laurence’s Gate and the Old Abbey are among the locations associated with the festival experience.
Trevor Connolly, Chief Executive of Love Drogheda BID, said:
“Lú Festival of Light gives people an entirely different way to experience Drogheda and its extraordinary heritage.
“This year, we are inviting audiences to step into the story and discover more about the seasonality of the Celtic Calendar and authentic traditions that have shaped this part of Ireland for generations. By combining ancient storytelling with contemporary animation, we are looking to showcase and present the stories of our place in a truly memorable way.”
The 2026 visual programme is being created in collaboration with Visual Spectrum Studio, which has previously worked on the festival’s projection and light installations.
Spooks Parade to launch festival
The festival atmosphere will extend beyond the projection trail.
The Drogheda Credit Union Spooks Parade will return on Friday, 23rd October, bringing schools, community groups, musicians, performers and families through the town to launch the festival.
The parade is produced and coordinated by Droichead Arts Centre and involves participants from Drogheda and East Meath.
There will also be additional street activity, performances and a separate programme of ticketed indoor events throughout the weekend.
Drogheda after dark
Mark Davies, Night Time Economy Adviser for Drogheda, said the festival combines heritage and culture with the wider experience of spending an evening in the town.
“Lú Festival of Light brings together tourism, heritage, culture and creative technology in the historic heart of Drogheda,” he said.
“There’s something special about Drogheda after dark. Lú takes the town’s extraordinary buildings and ancient stories and shows them in a completely different light. There are streets to explore, places to eat, music to find and people to meet. Sometimes the best thing you can do is wander.”
Local cafés, pubs and restaurants are expected to benefit from increased footfall over the four-day festival, while ticketed cultural and music events will add to the wider programme.
Part of Ireland’s Home of Halloween programme
Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council Cllr Dolores Minogue said Lú also provides an opportunity to showcase Drogheda and County Louth to visitors.
“Lú Festival of Light is a wonderful celebration of Drogheda’s unique heritage, creativity and sense of place. By bringing our ancient myths and traditions to life through innovative light projections and cultural experiences, the festival offers residents and visitors alike an opportunity to connect with the rich stories that have shaped this region for generations.
“Events such as this showcase the very best of County Louth, support our local economy, and reinforce our position as the gateway to the Boyne Valley and the authentic Home of Halloween.”
Fáilte Ireland’s Home of Halloween programme is designed around Ireland’s connection with Samhain and the origins of modern Halloween celebrations, with an expanded programme running across the island in 2026.
Free to attend
The outdoor Lú Festival of Light 2026 trail is free and no advance booking is required.
Further details on projection times, the full trail, ticketed events and visitor information will be released through the festival website.
Event details
Lú Festival of Light 2026
Dates: Friday, 23rd October to Monday, 26th October
Location: Drogheda town centre
Outdoor projection trail: Free
Booking: No booking required for the outdoor trail
Lú Festival of Light is delivered by Love Drogheda Business Improvement District and funded by Louth County Council, with strategic support from Fáilte Ireland.
