Stokerland
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Saturday 01 November 11:00am–4:30pm
Sunday 02 November 9:30am–4:30pm - St. Patrick’s Park
family-friendly
free
participate
Roll up, roll up! Now a much-loved, annual highlight for families and the eternally young, Stokerland returns to St. Patrick’s Park this Hallowe’en Weekend with a gothic twist on the classic day out.
Set against the gothic backdrop of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, this ghastly ghoulish gathering features a packed programme in our performance tent; devilishly fun street theatre; free face-painting, a selection of hunger-quenching food stalls, the ever-popular Victorian-style carousel (which is now completely free to ride) and plenty of silly, strange and spooky surprises to delight little monsters and their keepers.
Delight in macabre thrills, curious games, mysterious characters and plenty of fun for kids under 12. Whether you arrive in full vampire regalia or as your best bat-self, fancy dress is warmly encouraged.
Bring your imagination and enjoy a play-filled day out in the heart of Dublin city: weirdness welcome!
A number of food traders will join us at Stokerland but BYOPicnics are also encouraged.
Stokerland will take place over two days this year and will not take place on the Monday of the festival.
Step into the glittering world of Victorian vaudeville with The Great Innuendo; a mischievous showman, magic charlatan and escapologist whose antics would make even Houdini blush. Armed with quick wit, daring stunts and a twinkle in his eye, The Great Innuendo (just call him ‘Great’ for short) delivers a whirlwind of high-energy comedy and mayhem. Expect devilish tricks, cheeky charm and a generous dose of tongue-in-cheek mischief, as he dazzles and disarms in equal measure.
The Great Innuendo show builds to a spectacular Houdini-inspired climax: an explosive finale where our intrepid hero attempts the impossible – an escape from the truly inescapable. Can he do it? Well, he’s not called ‘Great’ for nothing!
Brucie has the gift of the gab and a knack for finding treasure (and trouble) in the unlikeliest places. With him, you’ll meet Madame Kakapo, The World’s Greatest Fortune Teller. Together, this dubious duo brings magic, mystery and mayhem. Expect cackling chaos, improbable predictions and palm readings that strangely hit close to home!
Niamh Sharkey and Owen Churcher invite you to a delightfully spooky workshop at Stokerland, inspired by their new picture book Penguin TV. Step into the world of Dublin Zoo’s playful penguins, where Hallowe’en magic and mischievous happenings are captured on a webcam at the zoo. What are you waiting for… It’s showtime!
You’re only as good as your last haircut – reputation is everything. Scissors & Comb the one time, award-winning hairdressing duo have fallen from grace with a bang. Word on the street is that they have been cutting corners, getting tangled in knots, using cheap product and brushing the truth under the carpet. They are about to lose their licence. Can they change their ways? The hair inspector is coming to review their practice; she will arrive any minute, can they up their game and prove that they are a cut above the rest?
Scissors & Comb is a choreography of chaos – a combination of visual comedy, slapstick and hilarious antics from Curious State, a company who specialise in creating captivating live shows for family audiences.
Stokerland is programmed by Grasshopper Events.
We have programmed a relaxed session of Stokerland which will take place from 9.30am – 12pm on Sunday 2 November.
At the relaxed session, you can expect a tailored experience designed to welcome people who will benefit from a more relaxed environment, including people who identify as neurodiverse, people on the autistic spectrum, people with sensory and communication disorders, ADHD, ADD, tourettes or with learning disabilities.
Joining the Stokerland line up in St. Patrick’s Park is the portfolio of vendors who trade there each Sunday. You will find a broad collection of handmade crafts, retro must-haves, collectibles, books, jewellery and eclectic vintage. Check out spillaneworldmarkets.com
Other traders include
Paddy’s Pizza Pies
The Phat Cow
Bad Ass Burrito
Crepes in The City Ltd
Cranky Yankee Corn Dogs
Little Dumpling
Sweet Churro Limited
| Age Suitability | Families and Under 12s. Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult. |
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| Warnings | This is an outdoor event. Please dress appropriately. |
| Accessibility | A relaxed session of Stokerland which is open to all will take place from 9.30am - 12 noon on Sunday 2 November. Stokerland is wheelchair accessible. A wheelchair accessible portaloo is also available. More info |
| Relaxed Session | A Social Story will be available from Monday 22 September. |
St. Patrick’s Park, Bull Alley Street, Dublin, Ireland
The closest Luas stop is on St. Stephen’s Green on the Green Line.
The closest Dublin Bus route stops are located on Patrick Street.
Drop off and pick up at St. Patrick’s Park is available on Bull Alley Street and Cathedral Lane.
Accessibility Information
Relaxed Performance
On Sunday 2 November from 9.30am until 12pm, relaxed performances for neurodivergent people is scheduled.
All music at the performance areas and other trading areas will be played at a quieter, more comfortable level. There will be no loud or sudden noises, or surprises during the relaxed performances.
All workshops will be gently paced, giving everybody enough time to learn, play and have fun at their own speed. All performers and staff will ensure a relaxed and sensory-friendly experience for all.
If guests need a break at any point, there will be a designated sensory unit available. Our staff in hi-vis vests will be there to assist. To enter, ask someone in a hi-vis to direct and bring you to the unit. There may be a short queue to enter as the unit is suitable for one family at a time. One guardian must be in the sensory room and one sibling or a friend is also allowed.
Ticketing
This is a free and unticketed event running over the course of two days. The relaxed session of Stokerland on Sunday 2 November is free and does not require booking.
Arrival
The pathways immediately around St. Patrick’s Park are smooth, but the park is located at the bottom of a hill from Christchurch.
The closest Luas stop is on St. Stephen’s Green (850m walk) on the Green Line.
The closest Dublin Bus route stops are:
Stop 2383, Patrick Street, Northbound – Bus numbers 27, 49, 54A, 56A, 74, 77A, 150, 151
Stop 2385, Patrick Street, Southbound – Bus numbers 49, 54A, 79, 783
The nearest accessible paid parking is available in Q-Park Christchurch car park. Accessible paid parking bays are available on Golden Lane, close to the Radisson Blu hotel.
Drop off and pick up at St. Patrick’s Park is available on Bull Alley Street and Cathedral Lane.
Entry
Step-free access is available from Patrick Street. Entry points are also available at Bull Alley Street, via approximately seven stone steps with no railing, and the junction of Bride Street and Bull Alley Street, via approximately 20 stone steps with a railing. There is a ramped entrance via Bride Street alongside approximately 13 stone steps with a railing.
Space
Located in the heart of Dublin 8, St. Patrick’s Park is a tourist location and an open green space within the city centre. Most of the park is on one level, but there are two steps that lead down to the fountain at the centre of the park.
Accessible Bathroom / WC
An accessible toilet is available at The Tram Cafe. It is opened using a passcode that is provided at the café. Portaloos will also be provided onsite. A large accessible portaloo will be located there.
Food & Drink
Food and soft drinks will be available from The Tram Café and a number of food traders selling a selection of food. Information on the food traders for Stokerland will be available from our website nearer to the event. BYOPicnics are encouraged.
Performance Space
There are two tents with timetabled performances and workshops. These tents are canopied. Market stalls line a number of the pathways. For certain shows, performers will roam through the crowds. If you want to move around and/or make noise during your time in the park and the performances that is fine.
Please note that this is an outdoor event, and while some areas are sheltered, be prepared for all weather types.
Seating
There are park benches located throughout the venue. They have arm rests at either end. Within the performance tents there will be moveable chairs and benches available, as well as the option for children to sit on the ground.
Sound
There will be a mix of sounds at Stokerland, including music and some performers using microphones. A relaxed performance for neurodivergent people will take place on Sunday 2 November from 9.30am until 12pm. All music at the performance areas and other trading areas will be played at a quieter, more comfortable level.
Lighting
This is a daytime event so street lighting will be used when it starts to get dark. No strobe lighting will be used at all.
Quieter Room
As this is a public space, there will be no designated quiet room but a Relaxed Session for neurodivergent people will take place on Sunday 2 November from 9.30am until 12pm.
There will be a mobile sensory unit away from crowds and sounds available for those who require it. Our staff in hi-vis vests will be there to assist.