Unlock the crypt of Derry's Halloween secrets with our event key. Our guide navigates the murky waters of Derry's spooky swamps for local bog monsters and brave bayou explorers.
One of the vibrant highlights of the season is the Carnival Parade, where colorful floats and lively characters fill the streets, creating a festive atmosphere. With thrilling activities for all ages, the Todds Leap Horror Nights promise chills and excitement, featuring immersive scares and interactive experiences. And the Footsteps in the Forest is something you definitely don’t want to miss, where enchanting trails lead you through mysterious woods filled with Halloween-themed surprises. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Halloween Events In and Around Derry
- Carnival Parade (Derry~Londonderry)
- Todds Leap Horror Nights (Ballygawley)
- Halloween Extravaganza at Pickie Funpark (Bangor)
- Footsteps in the Forest (Killeavy)
- Halloween Hooley in Larne Town Park (Larne)
- The Millennium Forum Theatre & Conference Centre (family-friendly shows)
- Bewitching Bazaar Craft Market (Strangford)
- Brunswick Moviebowl (family-friendly events)
- Spooky Pumpkin Patch at Window on Wildlife (Belfast)
- Halloween Bug Hunt (The Argory)
See these and even more events listed below!
Derry Area Haunted Experiences
Todds Leap Horror Nights
What to Expect:
A unique blend of haunted mazes and adrenaline-pumping off-road ghost rides.
Description:
Todds Leap Horror Nights offers a spine-chilling Halloween experience with a unique blend of frightful fun. The event features haunted mazes, eerie off-road ghost rides, and sinister attractions like Motel Hell and the Fairground of Horrors. Brave-hearted visitors can navigate through twisted night lines, encounter spectral figures, and face various terrors designed to haunt their memories.
Where: Ballygawley | More Info: Todds Leap Horror Nights
Family-Friendly Fall Activities Near Derry
Carnival Parade
What to Expect:
The unique feature is the blending of past and present through illumination, aerial performances, pyrotechnics, and music, creating a magical and mischievous atmosphere.
Description:
Derry Halloween returns in 2024 as Europe's largest Halloween festival. The Walled City of Derry welcomes the spirit of Samhain with a dazzling street celebration. The event features illumination, aerial performances, pyrotechnics, and music, bringing magic and mischief to the streets. Follow the Awakening the Walled City Trail to discover folklore, history, and heritage that make this place special.
Where: Derry~Londonderry | More Info: Carnival Parade
Footsteps in the Forest
What to Expect:
Immersive Halloween experience with a self-guided, illuminated trail.
Description:
Footsteps in the Forest is a magical Halloween experience at Slieve Gullion Forest Park, celebrating the ancient festival of Samhain with eerie entertainment, tantalizing treats, and immersive storytelling. The event features a self-guided, illuminated trail that takes visitors on a journey from the origins of Samhain to modern-day Halloween, with costumed characters, spectacular illuminations, and mythical storytelling.
Where: Killeavy | More Info: Footsteps in the Forest
Halloween Extravaganza at Pickie Funpark
What to Expect:
Enjoy a comprehensive Halloween experience with extended opening hours and a variety of family-friendly activities.
Description:
Experience a spooktacular Halloween at Pickie Fun Park Enjoy extended opening hours with free unlimited access to Pickie attractions. Visit the Pumpkin Patch to decorate and carve your own pumpkin, explore the new Petting Farm, and marvel at the Exploris Pop-Up Aquarium. Exclusive entry into Pickie Park and performances by famous spooky characters make this a must-visit family event.
Where: Bangor | More Info: Halloween Extravaganza at Pickie Funpark
Spooky Pumpkin Patch at Window on Wildlife
What to Expect:
A Halloween celebration with sustainable pumpkin activities and spooky decorations.
Description:
Join RSPB NI's Window on Wildlife for a spooky Halloween celebration at the Spooky Pumpkin Patch. Enjoy spooky decorations, creepy stories, arts and crafts stations, and toasting marshmallows. Get your picture taken in the pumpkin patch and choose your very own pumpkin to take home. Learn how to carve, cook, and plant your pumpkin sustainably. This event promises a great time for all the family this Halloween.
Where: Belfast | More Info: Spooky Pumpkin Patch at Window on Wildlife
Bewitching Bazaar Craft Market
What to Expect:
A Halloween craft market set against the atmospheric backdrop of Castle Ward's historic Georgian estate.
Description:
Step into the hauntingly beautiful grounds of Castle Ward for the Bewitching Bazaar Craft Market. This event offers an enchanting selection of handcrafted treasures, bewitching candles, gothic décor, and autumnal crafts all created by talented local artists. Whether you're looking to add a touch of magic to your home or find the perfect Halloween gift, you'll discover something truly unique.
Where: Strangford | More Info: Bewitching Bazaar Craft Market
Halloween Hooley in Larne Town Park
What to Expect:
A family-friendly Halloween celebration with a variety of spooky and fun activities, including fire juggling shows, live music, and a firework display.
Description:
Halloween Hooley in Larne Town Park transforms into a spooktacular event with spine-tingling fun. Enjoy breath-taking fire juggling shows, live music, spooky storytelling, and UV disco. Meet your favorite Halloween characters on a self-guided walk through the park. The evening features interactive special effect shows, fire poi displays, bubbles, and a kids' disco. Weather permitting, a fantastic firework display will cap off the night. This family-friendly event promises a monster mash of chills and thrills for all ghosts and ghouls.
Where: Larne | More Info: Halloween Hooley in Larne Town Park
People’s Park Halloween Event
What to Expect:
A packed program of spooktacular activities including a fire juggling display, fancy dress competition, and an extended spooky illumination trail.
Description:
People’s Park in Ballymena transforms into a haunted haven for the annual Halloweena event. This free ticketed event features a packed program of spooktacular activities, including a fire juggling display, fancy dress competition, spooky walkabout characters, kiddies funfair, and live music. The event also includes an extended spooky illumination trail and tasty hot food options. The fun and festivities will conclude with a fabulous fireworks finale at 8:15 PM.
Where: Ballymena | More Info: People’s Park Halloween Event
Mrs Maker's Spooky Masquerade Art Workshop
What to Expect:
A fun and creative Halloween experience where children can design and wear their own spooky masks in a natural wetland setting.
Description:
Mrs Maker's Spooky Masquerade Art Workshop is a creative Halloween experience designed for primary school-aged children. Join local artist Kerrie, aka Mrs Maker, to create masks of your favorite animals or imaginary creatures. Enjoy a day of adventure and creative fantasy role play in the wetlands of WWT Castle Espie, taking spine-tingling selfies with your newly designed masquerade face.
Where: Comber | More Info: Mrs Maker's Spooky Masquerade Art Workshop
Wise Wizard Riddles and Secrets
What to Expect:
An interactive fantasy trail with magical creatures, witchy challenges, and festive decorations.
Description:
Embark on a spellbinding Halloween adventure at Castle Ward with the Cauldron Quest. Help the Wise Wizard solve riddles and search for the lost Princess of Castle Ward to escape the wicked witch. Along the way, meet mystical characters, explore spooky scenes, and uncover hidden surprises.
Where: Strangford | More Info: Wise Wizard Riddles and Secrets
Halloween Bug Hunt
What to Expect:
A unique behind-the-scenes experience where visitors can explore the hidden world of bugs in a scenic and historic setting.
Description:
Experience a spooky and fun-filled Halloween Bug Hunt at The Argory, where creepy crawly creatures have taken over. Climb through spider web mazes, go on a pest quest, and learn about real bugs that live in the area. Additional free activities include spooky storytelling and messy play.