What's on in Ballina this October

Ballina Pumpkin Patch

Following the success of its inaugural event, the much-loved Ballina Pumpkin Patch returns this October Bank Holiday Weekend for another magical Halloween experience filled with pumpkins, autumn fun and family memories.

Taking place Saturday 24th, Sunday 25th and Monday 26th October, the event features a beautiful pumpkin patch, spooky activities, photo opportunities and plenty of festive fun.

New for 2026: every child will receive a pumpkin to take home. The event will also support Sunflower Children’s Hospice, with visitors invited to make an optional donation when purchasing tickets.

Dates & Times

Saturday 24 October: 9.30am–4pm

Autism-Friendly: 9.30am–10.30am

Sunday 25 October: 9.30am–4pm

Autism-Friendly: 9.30am–10.30am

Monday 26 October: 9.30am–2.30pm
Tickets

Single: €12 — admission + pumpkin

Family: €30 — up to four people, with a pumpkin for every child

Autism-Friendly Child: €12 — child, accompanying adult and pumpkin

Additional Autism-Friendly Child: €6 — includes pumpkin

Weekly Trad Night in Rouse’s Bar Ballina

Enjoy a weekly Trad Night in Rouse’s Bar Ballina every Saturday night from 10pm.

Rouse’s Bar has been a much-loved Ballina institution since 1947. The premises itself has been a pub since 1865, making it one of the town’s oldest bars.

When you visit this traditional Irish bar you will always receive a warm welcome. This bar is a quiet oasis where you can relax and enjoy a great pint amid the gentle hum of conversation.

Rouse’s is a sporting pub, specialising in horse racing, GAA and fishing.

If you’re a fan of trad music, there are regular and well-attended live music sessiúns each Saturday night!

The bar has a separate lounge for private parties and can cater for up to 80 people. This room can also be used for meetings.

So if you’re in the area, drop into Rouse’s where Pat, Maura and family will give you a warm Ballina welcome!

October Events at Ballina Arts Centre

Hilarious new comedy from Paddy McDonnell and upcoming exhibitions this October at The Ballina Arts Centre

Paddy McDonnell: Gout’s Out

17 October 2026 || 8pm

Paddy largely bases his comedy from tales of working as a taxi man to everyday tales of being a husband and father. To date, McDonnell has had five solo shows, with his ‘Dagger’ show being the highlight of the Belfast Belly Laugh’s Festival in 2015, selling out and garnering 5-star reviews.

Paddy is a regular performer at all the main Belfast comedy nights, has hosted The Empire’s “Belfast Laugh’s Back” comedy club as well as being the first comedian to have played the West Belfast Feile six times. Paddy has shared the stage with acts including Frankie Boyle, Jason Manford, Paddy Kielty and Andrew Maxwell. Book Here

New Work – Anna Spearman

31 October — 5 December 2026

This new body of work includes painting, painted objects and animations that have emerged from the artist’s ongoing research into paint both as material and process. The work is abstract in nature and is inspired by all manner of visual and sensory information encountered on a daily basis. A playful and intuitive approach to making allows for open ended and sometimes surprising outcomes.

The Dark Seam – Blawnin Clancy

17 October — 5 December 2026

Blawnin Clancy’s The Dark Seam considers the landscape as a repository of personal and collective histories, where traces of past lives remain embedded in the land. Informed by her own family history of migration between Ireland and North America, the paintings explore inheritance, departure and return, with the sea becoming a line through history.
View their full program of events and book your tickets here: Ho me – Ballina Art Centre