This October Bank Holiday Weekend, children and families can enjoy a packed line-up of hands-on workshops, interactive entertainment, and Halloween-themed events as Kilkenny sets to be a part of Ireland’s Home of Halloween.
Young food lovers will be spoiled for choice at Savour Kilkenny this year with a range of fun, hands-on workshops designed to spark creativity and curiosity in the kitchen. At the Chocolate Mould Making Session, hosted by The Chocolate Garden of Ireland, children aged six and up can design and make their own chocolate creations from mould to masterpiece. Budding artists will love the Superfood Superheroes Illustration Workshop, where they can invent food-inspired hero characters that blend healthy eating with imaginative storytelling with local artist Blaise Butler. For the youngest foodies, the Fussy Food Plates Workshop offers a playful, sensory experience for ages two to ten, turning colourful ingredients into edible works of art. The Cool Food School hosts a Zero Waste Cooking Workshop, showing children how to reduce food waste, cook creatively with leftovers, and value every ingredient encouraging mindful, eco-friendly cooking from an early age.
As part of Savour Kilkenny’s city-wide celebrations, Market Cross Shopping Centre will host “Savour the Spooktacular” on Saturday 25th October from 12 pm to 3 pm. This Halloween-themed family fun afternoon features spooky magic, foodie challenges, interactive games and entertainment suitable for all ages, making it a perfect festival stop for families in the heart of the city. Meanwhile, over at MacDonagh Junction Shopping Centre, the Young Food Producers Market with LEO Kilkenny returns on Saturday 25th between 1 pm and 4 pm. This showcase invites budding young entrepreneurs to exhibit, sell and celebrate their food creations, giving them a platform to share their passion, connect with customers, and be part of the festival’s vibrant food community.
The Festival Quarter, home of the Savour Market returns on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th of October and families can look forward to a weekend filled with fun, laughter, and a touch of Halloween magic at Savour Kilkenny 2025. Throughout the weekend, the Festival Quarter will come alive with face painting, stilt walkers, street performers, and the Gusto Halloween Circus Show, collectively creating a colourful, high-energy atmosphere that has become a firm festival favourite.
The festivities continue into Savour Monday on 27th October, with Madra Monday with Red Mills, a pet-friendly day-out inviting families and their four-legged friends to join in the fun with dog-friendly activities, treats, photo sessions, and pet-care tips, the paw-fect way to wrap up a weekend of food, family, and festive spirit.
Festival goer’s will also be delighted with the edition of the Monday Market for 2025, which is a reduced Savour Market on The Parade Plaza featuring 10-15 street food and artisan producer stalls, alongside CISE talks and workshops in the Old KBC Bank and Spice of Life Cooking Demos on the Taste Stage with KCLR as Savour Kilkenny expands the Bank Holiday Monday programme for festival goers in 2025.
This year’s family programme, has all ages covered this October Bank Holiday weekend, from budding bakers to artists to dog lovers, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. For the full family-friendly line-up and booking details, visit www.savourkilkenny.com
