Things to do at Halloween
By ELEANOR MCGILLIE 18 October, 2017
NORTHERN Ireland has a whole host of free activities for all the family to enjoy this Halloween. Lauren Sharkey has gone on a Live It Experience It hunt for all things ghostly, ghastly and ghoulish to get you in the Halloween spirit.
Derry Halloween
Enjoy the four day Derry Halloween celebrations from October 28-31 with events all over the city as the supernatural and undead gather in the City of Bones for the biggest Halloween celebrations in Europe. Why not visit the Haunted Harvest Market to tantalize your taste buds with the ghoulish treats and drinks, or, attend the Awakening of the Walls to experience and explore the supernatural illuminated animation trail as they banish the darkness. Enjoy the best carnival arts, circus and street performers that the world has to offer and be sure to watch the firework display, as the sky above the River Foyle will be illuminated with colour. With over 30,000 people attending the Carnival Parade and Fireworks last year – they are not to be missed!
Ghosts in the Glens
The Ghosts in the Glens Storytelling and Musical Festival will give you a traditional Irish Halloween experience like no other. Join in the Irish storytelling traditions, taking place on October 19-22, where the theme is ghosts, fairies, witches and banshees. The festival has a host of free events at different locations throughout the beautiful Glens of Antrim to celebrate the cultural heritage of the area.
The Park After Dark
Head down to Creggan Country Park, on October 27, to experience The Park After Dark and learn more about the world of bats using special detectors on a night-time bat safari. Young bat enthusiasts can make their own bat masks before heading on the safari. For those enthusiasts you could compliment your handmade mask by arriving in your best bat fancy dress.
Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre
The popular festival proudly showcases the Orchard County’s quality food and drink that its’ artisan producers, farmers and growers produce. The Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre takes place October 28 and is a great way for the whole family to celebrate Halloween, as well as the end of the Harvest, with fun and games for the children and food and drink offerings for everyone. With live entertainment from the radio and TV personality Malachi Cush and live cookery demonstrations from Ireland’s Good Food Ambassador Jenny Bristow the crowds will be entertained for the duration of the day. To find out more visit Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre
Ghostly Slieve Gullion
Go on a magical story trail in Slieve Gullion Forest Park where the fiendish witch, Calliagh Berra has cast a curse awakening the wailing Banshee, the Weeping Maiden, and they plan mischievous chaos. The forest is alive and crawling with creatures that have awaken for the Halloween festivities occurring in Ghostly Gullion. So on October 28 gather all your courage and explore the magical story trail but… as you travel around the trail watch out for the supernatural and spooky goings on!
Belfast Monster Mash and Fireworks Display
Join in the frightful fun at The Slipways Titanic, on October 29, as Belfast’s biggest Halloween event returns. You are guaranteed an afternoon filled with weird, wacky and wonderful treats and entertainment that includes street theatre, fire shows and live music. Stay for the spooktacular finale where you will be treated to the largest firework display the city has to offer.
Superhero Spooktacular
Nothing says Halloween like fancy dress and stunning firework displays to illuminate the skies. On October 31, dress in your favourite superhero fancy dress and join in on the family fun and enjoy the firework displays in both Omagh and Enniskillen.
Live It Experience It’ is a group of journalists and travel writers who tell the story of our members. We work collaboratively with our members, which are tourism businesses, to promote Northern Ireland through water, air and land based activities, food and drink and great places to stay. Together we let our visitors know of all of the amazing things Northern Ireland has to offer. To become a member business in of ‘Live It Experience It’ call our office on 028 3756 8436 or please submit your information through our online form. T&Cs apply – Sign Up Here Let us tell your story! Live It Experience It is the NW200 tourism partner for 2018.
