Join us for our Spooktacular Programme
and
Nationwide Scarecrow Competition
27th October – 5th November 2023
Leap Village, Co. CorK
FULL PROGRAMME
The Leap Scarecrow Festival is back with a thrilling line-up of events, promising an enchanting experience for families and scarecrow enthusiasts alike. From Friday, October 27th, through Sunday, November 5th, the festival will bring a myriad of activities to celebrate the Halloween season.
About Leap Scarecrow Festival
The Leap Scarecrow Festival is an annual celebration that brings the community and visitors together to embrace the Halloween season. Known for its scarecrow competition and vibrant events, the festival has become a cherished tradition in the region.
The Scarecrow Festival started as the brainchild of local resident Rita Ryan, in 2015. She brought the idea to a few interested people and it quickly grew legs, “Initially, we just thought it might be nice to have a festival of fun for Halloween, in our quiet little village of Leap, and hoped that maybe a few people from the surrounding areas might find it amusing and come and join us.”
From this humble beginning, the idea took flight and the whole community rallied around with their witty, artistic, hilarious and terrifying scarecrow creations. Suddenly our village was swarming with crowds, coming from all over Munster and the rest of the country. We were featured in national newspapers, radio stations and also featured on our national TV station RTE. It was clear the festival had the potential to be an annual event and now, coming into our fourth year, it continues to surpass all our expectations. The amount of scarecrows are increasing year by year.
It couldn’t have been possible without all the local support and community spirit and this year we’re excited to once again open our quaint little village to those who wish to visit Leap – the home of the Leap Scarecrow Festival.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
Friday, 27th October
7:15pm to 8pm
Ireland’s Mythical Goddess exhibition followed by Music: in Leap Church of Ireland. Call to Leap hall to view a collection of photographs of local Ladies bringing Irish mythology to life in stunning locations around Leap Village. Opens with cheese and wine.
8pm to 9pm
Join the West Cork Gamelan Orchestra: at the Church beside Leap Hall. Celebrate Samhain with the enchanting sounds of the at Gamelan music that uses bronze gongs, xylophones, metallophones and other tuned percussion instruments. It is a mesmerising sonic adventure and West Cork is lucky to house the only Irish gamelan outside of a university city. The music will accompany local folklore by Local writers.
Saturday, 28th October
All day
Judgement Day for Scarecrows: Witness the competition at its peak!
12pm to 3pm
Face painting: at Leap Hall
2:30 pm & 4:30 pm
Kids Puppet Shows: Catch the shows at Leap Hall. (€5 per child or 4 @ €15) Adults free.
Sunday, 29th October
12 pm to 3 pm
Wand & Witches broom making: Get creative
4 pm to 6 pm
Kids’ Disco: at Leap Hall. Dance the afternoon away (€5 per child or family of 4 €15)
6:30pm
Join the fancy dress Parade: Join the parade from Leap Church Yard.
6:45pm
Witches & Warlocks Dance after parade: Party at Leap Inn car park.
8:00pm
Festival prize giving & Fancy-dress Party: Enjoy the evening at Harbour Bar. Don't forget your best fancy dress! Prize for best fancy dress!!
Monday 30th October (Bank Holiday)
11am to 4pm
Straw crafts & Wand making: Engage in the Leap Hall
2pm to 4pm
Face painting: at Leap Hall
3pm
Witches Wheelbarrow Race: A thrilling race from outside Leap Hall to the West end of Village.
All-day fun from 10 am to 2pm
Halloween Camp for the Kiddies: at Leap Hall (€20 per day or family €85 for the week) - More information
Tuesday, 31st October (Samhain) to Friday 3rd November
All-day fun from 10 am to 2pm
Halloween Camp for the Kiddie: at Leap Hall (€20 per day or family €85 for the week) - More information
8pm ‘till late!
Horror Movies Night: at Leap Hall. Prepare to be scared!!
Saturday, 4th November
6pm
Witches & Warlocks Dance: Join the spectacular dance at Leap Inn car park.
8pm
Monster draw & Party : at Leap Inn car park.
Sunday, 5th November
2pm
Harvest celebration: at Leap Church of Ireland