Your Autumn Escape in Oranmore, Co. Galway
Cosy Nights, Bright Lights & Galway Sights
There’s something truly special about Oranmore and Galway in autumn. The summer buzz gives way to golden leaves along the Claddagh, the salty Atlantic air turns crisp, and the city slips into a cosy, contented pace… well, at least until the music starts!
Here at Oranmore Lodge Hotel, we think autumn is one of the most magical times to visit. Not only can you curl up by the fire after a walk along Salthill Prom, but you’ll also find Galway’s event calendar brimming with culture, food, and fun.
The Perfect Autumn Retreat Base
After a day exploring, return to your home-away-from-home in Oranmore. Slip into our leisure centre for a dip in the pool, warm up in the sauna, or treat yourself to a hearty dinner in our bar or restaurant, featuring the best of local seasonal produce.
And if the weather turns a little wild? That’s just Galway giving you an excuse to relax indoors with a hot chocolate (or perhaps a hot whiskey) by our cosy lounge fire.
So pack your favourite scarf, bring an appetite for both good food and good fun, and let the 4 Star Oranmore Lodge Hotel be your base for an unforgettable autumn in Galway.
Galway in autumn isn’t just a season — it’s a feeling. Come and feel it for yourself.
What’s Happening This Autumn in Galway
Clarinbridge Market Day
6th September
A tradition of taste and community.
Clarinbridge Market Day brings together local producers, craft makers, and musicians for a vibrant celebration of village life. Wander the stalls, chat with friendly vendors, and discover everything from handmade gifts to delicious Autumn flavours.
With its lively atmosphere, music drifting through the picturesque Village Green, and plenty of treats to sample, it’s a wonderful way to experience authentic Galway culture and just a short trip from Oranmore.
Culture Night, Galway
19th September
One Magical Evening, Endless Discoveries
If there’s one night in the year that perfectly captures Galway’s heart and soul, it’s Culture Night. Picture this: the whole city buzzing with life, doors flung open to galleries, theatres, museums, and music venues – and all for free!
On this special evening, Galway becomes an open invitation to explore. You might find yourself wandering into a historic building you’ve always been curious about, listening to a traditional music session that makes your toes tap, or catching a pop-up performance in the middle of Eyre Square.
Culture Night isn’t just about art and music – it’s about community.
Galway International Oyster Festival
26th – 28th September
A Feast for the Senses
If Galway had a flavour, it might just be the fresh, salty tang of a native oyster, shucked and served with a squeeze of lemon. And there’s no better place to taste it than at the Galway International Oyster & Seafood Festival, one of the city’s most famous celebrations and the world’s longest-running oyster festival!
Every September, the city comes alive with music, laughter, and (of course) seafood galore. From the fast-paced drama of the World Oyster Opening Championship to laid-back seafood trails through Galway’s cosiest pubs and restaurants, it’s a weekend that blends gourmet indulgence with pure West of Ireland charm.
Baboró Arts Festival for Children
10th – 19th October
Where Little Imaginations Run Wild
Every October, Galway transforms into a playground for the mind and heart thanks to the Baboró International Arts Festival for Children – Ireland’s flagship festival devoted entirely to the creative spark of young people.
Think vibrant theatre shows that make you laugh out loud, magical dance performances that have children wriggling in their seats, and hands-on workshops where little fingers get busy making, painting, and building. From babies to teens (and let’s be honest – the grown-ups too), there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Baboró is more than a festival – it’s a memory-maker. Come and see the magic for yourself, and let Oranmore Lodge be your family’s Galway home for the week.
Galway Comedy Festival
21st – 27th October
A Week of Belly Laughs by the Bay
If you think Galway is colourful by day, wait until you hear it by night during the Galway Comedy Festival. For one glorious week every October, the city fills with the sound of belly laughs, cheeky one-liners, and comedy acts that keep you giggling long after the show’s over.
From big-name comedians you’ve seen on TV to up-and-coming stars testing out their sharpest material, the festival serves up a little bit of everything – stand-up, improv, sketch shows, and the kind of comedy storytelling that makes you feel like you’re chatting with a hilarious friend in the pub.
Galway Comedy Festival is proof that laughter really is the best medicine – and this October, we’re prescribing a full week of it.
Halloween Festival & Macnas Parade
October Bank Holiday Weekend
Magic, Mischief, and a Little Mayhem
Galway does Halloween like no one else – and the Macnas Parade is at the heart of it all. Every October, as darkness falls, the city streets come alive with towering puppets, strange and wonderful creatures, haunting music, and bursts of colour that feel like something straight from a dream (or maybe a very playful nightmare).
The Macnas Theatre Company are masters of spectacle, and they never fail to surprise. You’ll find yourself craning your neck to see giant fantastical beasts glide past, gasping at the bursts of fire and light, and grinning as the drummers’ rhythms pulse through the crowd.
It’s spooky without being too scary – perfect for families, couples, and anyone who loves a bit of theatre with their trick-or-treating.
