Seven days of activity across 50 venues revealed for Derry and Strabane’s 2024 Halloween celebrations

The climax will be a ‘Carnival of the Dead’ themed Halloween parade and fireworks display on Thursday, October 31st.

The overall programme will run over seven days from Friday, October 25, and will feature activity in over 50 venues. Strabane’s Halloween celebrations will include trick or treat trails, street theatre, food stalls, dinosaur shows, magicians and much more in Castle Street, Abercorn Square and the Alley Theatre. The activity begins with the Castlederg Apple Fair on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26, and includes various community events across the district, including the Halloween Hoolie in Castlederg and Newtownstewart’s Scarecrow trail. A number of key elements to the Derry Halloween include In Your Space Circus’ Witchy Wonderland on the City Walls, Haunted Projections by Guildhall Production Studio on the Austins and Bishop Street Court House buildings, the LUXE hosted Elemental Garden in Ebrington Square and Rodafonio – a travelling street theatre act created by renowned American designer and musician Cesar Alvarez. Other highlights will include Stelzen Art Time Travelers in the grounds of the Cathedral Quarter, Studio 2’s Hocus Pocus sisters in the City of Bones, a Back to the Future themed street performance by New Gate Arts, interactive performances by the North West Regional College’s Music and Performing Arts students as well as Magical Science shows in the Guildhall. The Haunted Harvest Market will feature LegenDerry Food in Guildhall Square and will give the public the opportunity to sample the best of locally sourced and home-grown food from across the district.

“Officers have been working closely with local providers, creatives and performers as well as international level acts to develop a dynamic and comprehensive programme for Halloween 2024,” explained Head of Culture at Council, Aeidin McCarter.

“Activity is planned across the district from Friday, October 25, and climaxing on Thursday, October 31, with the city’s Carnival of the Dead Halloween Parade featuring some of the city’s finest performers and culminating in the festival finale fireworks display where all eyes will be on the River Foyle for a deathly display of pyrotechnics. “We are confident that programming for 2024 will build on our reputation as Europe’s largest Halloween Festival and an internationally renowned visitor experience at this time of year.” Other programming elements revealed at this week’s meeting are the return of the Hay Bale Sculpture Trail in and around Strabane which will see over 12 groups and community organisations get involved in Halloween activities by creating their own Hay Bale Sculptures using a perfect blend of creative charm and spooky thrills.

Other Derry Halloween highlights include the Monster Fun Fair at Ebrington, Spark Drummers, Uncle Doom and his organ of Doom, Pop Up Choir Performances, Street Walkabouts, Haunted Houses, Live Music, Arts and Crafts, Kids Halloween Disco, Ghost Tours on the City Walls, Wailing Nuns, Wicked Windows, City Centre Dressing, City Dance’s Walter on the Dance Floor and a city centre trick or treat trail.

The full Halloween programme will be launched next week and will be available at www.derryhalloween.com.