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20th December 2016
12:10am GMT
At this point, you've probably seen the posters for the Bram Stoker Festival all over.
But what's it all about? Well my friends, I'm glad you asked.
We assembled everything that you need to know about what's happening in this year's festival. Check it out below.
We spoke about this mysterious structure which appeared this week, this temporary interactive exhibit in Smithfield Square is inspired by the life and times of Bram Stoker and his illustrious novel Dracula.
You can experience it for yourself over the long weekend from 11am until 7pm.
Loving the @MaserArt installation for @bramstokerdub on our doorsteps! #SmithfieldSquare pic.twitter.com/kG6Eit2k6n
— Brown Bag Films (@BrownBagFilms) October 23, 2015
The usual Smithfield Market Fair will be transformed into a gothic fairytale for the festival. Expect over 40 stalls with a Halloween theme, people in fancy dress, and live music this Sunday October 25 from 12pm till 6pm.
Now this is a must see. Macnas bring their beautifully rendered larger-than-life puppets to the streets of Dublin, appearing as Frankenstein's monsters, hideous demons, and all things nightmarish.
You'll see this creepy parade from 5.30pm until 6.30pm on October 26, there will be three different routes to choose from and you can find them here.
RT @darraghdoyle: he's just deadly @macnasIreland #bitemedublin http://t.co/rcbxlqF5hn
— Bram Stoker Festival (@bramstokerdub) October 27, 2014
If you're going to his festival, you should really know who he actually was. There will be a lecture about the great Irish author who penned Dracula at 3pm at the National Gallery of Ireland on October 25. The event is free and booking isn't required.
Another event at the National Gallery of Ireland, where comedian David O'Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge will help audiences create their own creepy characters and learn about the art of writing and illustrating. A brilliant family event suitable for all ages, but particularly those aged 7 and up.
It's also completely free with no booking required, so highly recommended.
As if regular carnivals weren't creepy enough already, now they've just become even eerier with this Gothic pop-up. Stokerland will feature the thrilling talents of world class street-performers Able Mabel and chainsaw-juggling, fire-breathing, Guinness World Record holding The Mighty Gareth.
The carnival kicks off at October 25 at 12pm in Wolfe Tone Square.
Here's one that's full of famous faces. Soundings is an hour and a half of stories and songs that inspire, surprise and make you laugh, hosted by Dylan Haskins and Lisa Hannigan, who will be joined by Amy Huberman, Theo Dorgan, David Rawle (Moone Boy’s 14-year-old star) and music guests Heathers.
The event takes place tonight at 8pm in St. Patrick's Cathedral.
Now for nightmares of a very different kind.
Total Nightmare dredges up its guests most embarrassing and cringe-worthy moments, including Matthew Jebb (Botanic Gardens), Dr Jason McElligott (Marsh’s Library), Roisin Agnew (Guts Magazine), Will St Leger (activist and artist) and Dr. Elizabeth McCarthy.
Listen to the tales of those moments they wish they could rewrite, from professional faux-pas to recorded histories of epic blunders and moments of personal failure.
This takes place in Freemasons' Hall at 6pm on October 25.
Finally, to celebrate the man who essentially birthed modern vampire fiction, the Light House Cinema are screening several classic '90s vampire flicks. Among the movies you can expect to see are Blade, Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula, and From Dusk Till Dusk. Click here to find tickets.
They'll also be showing Buffy The Vampire Slayer, the movie that came before the iconic TV show, and you can watch the trailer below.
While everything above represents the highlights of this wonderful festival, there's still plenty more to discover. If you'd like more information about this year's Bram Stoker Festival, click here.
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