Crowning the weekend in County Cavan this Halloween bank holiday is of course the annual Pumpkin Festival in Virginia, which has numerous delights in store for visitors, from music events headlined by stars from the Hothouse Flowers to the pumpkin wonderland, "haunted" forest walks, Monster bingo and of course, the now legendary Pumpkin Festival Fancy Dress Ball. More than 20,000 are expected to attend the festival weekend with festivities beginning on Friday evening at 6pm with a spooky haunted forest walk at Deerpark woods followed by a bonfire on the shores of the lake.

Friday: The Ultimate Garth Brooks Experience + line dancing exhibition, The Pumpkin Dome, 9.30pm, €15.

Saturday: The Hothouse Flowers followed by disco with iRadio DJ Lisa Brady, The Pumpkin Dome, 9.30pm, €15.

Children's Party for ages 4-12, The Pumpkin Dome, 12pm, €5

The Song From The Sea, Barnstorm Theatre, Ramor Theatre, 2pm, €5.

Sunday: Ireland's Largest Fancy Dress Ball with €2,000 in prizes up for grabs. Music from iRadio DJ Fergal Darcy, The Pumpkin Dome, 9pm, €15.

Also on Sunday, boxing champion John Joe Nevin will also join the festivities at 2pm, showcasing his Olympic medal. With local boxing clubs from Virginia, Cavan and Inniskeen putting on an exhibition of boxing over ten bouts, the young boxers will get the opportunity to show their skills in the ring and get some tips from the Olympic hero.

MONDAY: Monster Bingo, Pumpkin Dome, 8.30pm, guaranteed prize fund of €5,500 and spot prizes. Hosted by Lurgan Ladies and Ramor Underage GFCs.

TUESDAY NIGHT &

HALLOWEEN NIGHT: 'For Club & County' the hilarious new comedy written and directed by Seamus O'Rourke, Ramor Theatre, 8.30pm, €15.

WHAT ELSE IS ON FOR THE WEEKEND?

Thriller Night

Where: Main Street, Belturbet

When: Saturday, October 27

What: A high-energy and colourful piece of musical street theatre will be staged. The show called 'Thriller Night', based on Michael Jackson's highly successful 'Thriller', will be preceded by a children's disco and the show gets underway at 9pm. There will also be a disco in the Seven Horse Shoes afterwards from 10pm to 1am.

Monster bingo

Where: Virginia

When: Monday, October 29, 8.30pm

What: Lurgan Ladies and Ramor Underage Gaelic Football Clubs are host a 'Monster Bingo' in the Pumpkin Dome, guaranteed prize fund of €5,500, along with spot prizes.

Gallery opening

Where: Virginia

When: Friday, October 26, 8-10pm.

What: Kitten Cottage invites you to the opening of the Sanctuary art gallery by local author Margaret Neylon. Venue next to the Curiosity Shop on the Cavan Road. Fancy dress optional.

Charity night

Where: Highball Inn, Butlersbridge

When: Saturday, October 27, 9pm

What: Charity night for Breast Awareness Month with '80s theme. In aid of Cancer Research. Spot prizes and all support appreciated. Support would be appreciated.

Stage musical

Where: Bailieborough Community School

When: From Wed, October 24,to Sat, October 27.

What: Bailieborough Community School is staging a beautiful production of the musical Anne of Green Gables in the school hall. Tickets, adults, €12; kids, €10. Contact 086-449 7271.

Music session

Where: Bellamont Arms, Cootehill (9.30pm, Friday); Gallonray House (8pm, Saturday) and Errigal Hotel (8pm on Sunday)

When: Friday to Sunday (October 27-28)

What: Three days of a hoolie all in aid of Maudabawn's community alert scheme

Seniors' social

Where: Tullyvin Community Centre

When: Thursday, October 25, 7.30-9.30pm

What: Senior citizens social. Come along for a great night of music, entertainment and refreshments. Everyone welcome.

Bingo

Where: Matt Talbot Hall, Kingscourt

When: Thursday, October 25, 8.30pm

What: Kingscourt Halloween special bingo night will. Extra prizes to be won. All Welcome!

Gospel Concert

Where: Cavan Parish Church

When: Saturday, October 27, at 8pm

What: Gospel concert featuring James Kilbane. Tickets costing €15 may be purchased in Multisound or at the door on the night. Proceeds in aid of Church Restoration Fund.

15K challenge

Where: Cavan to Cornafean

When: Saturday, October 27

What: The Gallant 15km Challenge in aid of St Christopher's Hospice. Walk, run or cycle. See article on page 6.

Gardening night

Where: Fox's Lounge, Bailieborough

When: Thursday, October 25, 8pm

What: The Bailieborough Gardening Club presents Johnny Walsh on 'Preserving techniques for garden and hedgerow produce as how mother nature directed'. All welcome.

Cake sale

Where: Wishing Well restaurant, Kingscourt

When: October 27, 10am-12noon

What: Cake sale for Kingscourt Tidy Towns.

Harvest service

Where: Breaky Orange Hall, Bailieborough

When: Sunday, October 28, 7pm

What: A 'Harvest service' with preacher Reverend Hazel Hicks. All welcome. Supper served afterwards.

Hallowe'en walk

Where: Breaky Orange Hall, Bailieborough

When: Friday, October 26, 7pm

What: A community walk. Register at Breaky Hall, wear something bright and bring a torch. The walk will be approximately of two hours, followed by a supper and social evening in the hall. Any donations go to car park fund.

Run, walk, cycle

Where: Mullagh - St Kilian's Heritage Centre to Kilian Lodge Hotel

When: Sunday, October 28, starts at 1pm

What: Six kilometres in aid of Alzheimer's Ireland, please support.

Food, craft fair

Where: Mullagh Sports Centre

When: Monday, October 29, 12noon-6pm

What: Mayor of Mullagh candidate James Ross is hosting a food and craft fair. Exhibit or promote your products by booking a stand for €30 at 086 829 3121. Admission free.

Karaoke fundraiser

Where: Murtagh's Old Mill Wheel Bar, Arva

When: Sunday, October 28, 9.30pm

What: "Fifty Shades Of Pink" - a Karaoke night in aid of breast cancer research and support.

Samhain celebration

Where: Ballyhugh House, Ballyconnell

When: Wednesday, October 31, 9.30pm

What: Celebrate the ancient Celtic festival with a countryhouse dance. Music by Country Sensations from Donegal.

Ladies K Club

Where: Gilsenan's Function Room, Killeshandra.

When: Monday, October 28, 3-5pm

What: The ladies are hosting a kiddies Hallowe'en Party. Games, face-painting and refreshments included. €5 per child, €10 per family. Kiddies must be adult accompanied.

Fancy dress party

Where: McDermott's, Ballinagh

When: Friday night, October 26

What: The Ballinagh Christmas Lights Committee will hold a fundraising fancy dress and Halloween party in McDermott's premises. Support appreciated.

Junior Trad

Where: Belturbet Railway

When: Friday, October 26, 6.30-7.30pm

What: Comhaltas Beal Tairbirt Trad junior session. €1 in and all musicians welcome.

Trad session

Where: Top of the Town, Cavan Town

When: Friday and Saturday (October 26, 27) at 8pm

What: The McGovern Family from Belcoo who played at the recent Fleadh are serving up the tunes.

'Spooktacular'

Where: Grove Gardens, Kells (Co Meath)

When: Wednesday, October 24-31

What: Haunted Spooktacular Horror Farm, re-opens for its seventh year. Pre-booking is essential. Not suitable for children under 16.

'For Club and County'

Where: Carrigallen GAA and Ballyhaise

When: October 24, 25 at 8.30pm.

What: Moth Productions return with the production of Seamus O'Rourke's hilarious "For Club and County" To book tickets call (049) 433 9612 or 086 919 2000. For Ballyhaise call 086 8242456.

Gala variety show

Where: Hotel Kilmore

When: Thursday, October 25

What: Variety Show in aid of Family & Friends of Respite Centre, Cootehill, and for the new autistic classroom in St Felim's NS, Ballinagh. Tickets €10 from Easons and Multisound.

Declan O'Rourke at

Origins

Where: McGinnity's Cellar, Cavan Town

When: Saturday, October 27, 9pm

What: Irish singer and guitarist Declan O'Rourke and special guests. Tickets €17.50. To book, contact (049) 436 8042.

Hallowe'en gig

Where: The Vault Bar, Cavan Town

When: Thursday October 25, 8pm-midnight

What: Get spooked. Free entry. Loads of spot prizes. Come in fancy dress!

Film night

Where:The Rainbow Centre, Glenfarne

When: Wednesday, October 24

What: Special screening. It's been 30 years since the launch of the iconic film, 'The Ballroom of Romance', which found international fame during the '70s. Cinema north West are screening the film to celebrate the anniversary.

The Glan Bar party

Where: The Glan Bar, Mullahoran

When: Sunday, October 28

What: The bar's 10-year anniversary party with music by comedian Paul Malone.

Opening dance night

Where: Hotel Kilmore

When: Saturday, October 27

What: The official opening of the hotel's brand new dance venue, with Jimmy Buckley.

Ballroom dancing

Where: Errigal House Hotel, Cootehill

When: Starts Wednesday, October 24

What: Three nights of the leading ballroom dance bands in a mini-festival of events. Tonight Cannon and Ramsey provide the beats while on Sunday it's Show Bud and on Wednesday, October 31, it's Lime Lite.

'Music Hall'

Where: Johnston Central Library

When: Thursday, October 24, 11.30am-1pm

What: The Carnation Theatre company's new show, 'Music Hall' combines high farce, popular traditional and not so traditional live music, as well as exploring the time and attitudes to childbirth in the early part of the last century.

Gonzo drama

Where: Loughan House, Blacklion

When: Thursday, October 25

What: The Gonzo Theatre will perform excerpts from plays, music and storytelling.

Multicultural family

Where: St Patrick's College, Cavan Town

When: Saturday, October 27, from 2pm

What: Part of Social Inclusion Week, The college hosts a multicultural social event, incorporating sport, music and food from different countries. Contact Maria O'Sullivan, Breffni Integrated, on (049) 433 1029.

Pick your square

Where: O'Connell Park, Drumlane

When: Saturday, October 27

What: Billy the Goat will be picking the winning square on the park, worth €2,500. Squares available at €10 from committee members. This will be followed by a club social in Drumlane Bar with ceol agus craic from a host of local artists commencing at 9pm. Admission free.

Fancy dress

Where: The Stables Bar, Swanlinbar

When: Saturday, November 3

What: Swanlinbar Ladies GFC host music by KK and provide refreshments. Prizes for best costumes. All welcome.

Texas Hold-em

Where: Drumlane Bar

When: Friday, October 26, dealing starts at 9.30

What: Poker classic with professional dealer Shane 'The Shark' Corrigan, all the way from Las Vegas in the chair. Great prizes on the night.

Spooky Sat. market

Where: Lus na Gréine, Granard

When: Saturday, October 27, 11am-1pm

What: Colouring competition, face painting, pumpkin carving demonstration. Colouring sheets available from post office, library and Lus na Gréine. Entries to be received before 11.30am.

Disco night

Where: Ballyhaise Community Centre

When: Saturday, October 27, 8.30-10.30pm

What: Exactly what is says on the tin, a spooky Hallowe'en disco for Ballyhaise Soccer Club. Prizes for best fancy dress. Presentation on the night of medals to winning Under 9 and Under 10 teams.

Table Quiz

Where: Cavan Baptist Church, Crubany

When: Friday, October 26, at 7.30pm

What: In aid of the Children's Ward in Cavan Hosptial. Everyone welcome, €5 per person on the door, teams of four-eight, come as a team or come and join a team. Call Ivan on 086 790 8991 or visit cavanbaptist.ie

Monster fuel draw

Where: Eamon Donohoe's, Ballyhaise

When: Sunday, October 28, 9pm

What: Castletara Camogie Club's monster fuel draw