Derry Halloween

Awakening the Walled City

Fri 28th ~ Sun 30th October • 6pm ~ 9pm Free • Suitable for all ages

Derry Halloween 2022 will unfold across the city, stretching to Donegal and Strabane. The history of Derry will pour out from the city’s iconic buildings unveiling the myths and mischief of Samhain and introducing you to some of our favourite characters from beyond the veil. derryhalloween.comIwhats-onIspirit-worldsI Produced by Guildhall School of Music & Drama.

The City of BonesCity Centre

Prepare yourself as you follow the trail within the City of Bones. Mesmerising projections, installations and guises to chill even the coldest of hearts, will tell the story of the history of the city and our very own Walter de Burgh. The lingering spirit of this starved knight will be welcomed by locals and visitors, as they embrace Samhain. Trail through Bishop Street, London Street, Pump Street, The Diamond and Shipquay Street and check out the many creepily captivating installations set to transform local landmarks.

If only the walls could talk, what would they say?

Awakening the Walled City

The Forest of Shadows

St. Columb’s Park

Where the veil between this world and the next is thinnest, tread carefully through this corridor of light. Drifting along the banks of the Foyle, nothing is what it seems as you enter the other realm. Welcoming you with dancing flames and hypnotic, mesmerising displays, luring you into the depths of the forest. Beware of disorientating paths lined with shape-shifting creatures and shadows as the forest comes to life!

Wander through the 1.5km trail between St Columb’s Park and Ebrington taking in the 14 different installations along the pathways. Pick up your copy of the Trail in advance at Visit Derry or our Information Point in Guildhall Square.

The Underworld

Ebrington

Oh no! Disaster has struck Ebrington. The demonic underworld has burst out from the ground and spilled out into the city – be careful not to fall into the abyss!

Supported and sponsored by the Executive Office.

The Heart of Samhain

Guildhall Square & Waterloo Place

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct

12noon - 9pm

Senses are stirred and taste buds tantalised as musical melodies hang in the cold night air. For four nights, Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place will come alive with all manner of creepy ghosts and ghouls feasting on the sights, sounds and tastes of Halloween. Enjoy the market with live music and relaxed seating.

Saurus

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct

Times will vary

Meet Saurus, the giant beasts from prehistoric times! With a deafening roar, Saurus cross over from the otherworld at Halloween when the veil is at it’s thinnest! The world is much different than how they remember. Approach with caution.

Haunted Harvest Market

City Centre

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct

12noon - 9pm

Sit back, relax and enjoy some local music and food in the heart of it all. Feast on the sights, sounds and tastes of Halloween, where senses are stirred and taste buds are tingled as musical melodies hang in the night air.

Samhain Bandstand

Guildhall Square

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct

12noon - 9pm

Enjoy some live music by local artists, sit back and relax in our seating area at Waterloo Place.

Kidz Farm

Waterloo Place

Fri 28th - Sun 30th Oct

12noon - 9pm

Mon 31st Oct • 12noon - 6pm

Creepy Critters and a wall of terror - the perfect Halloween stop off for your little ones.

Look out for our Info Point in Guildhall Square.

Awakening the Walled City

Spark! City Centre Sun 30th & Mon 31st Oct Times will vary

Visually arresting, acoustically impressive…. Spark! This much loved street act returns this year for two nights only! Bringing magical live music, movement and light which captivates audiences, combining high impact drumming, dynamic choreography, playful characters and colourful lighting design.

Performance times and locations vary around the city centre.

Mayor’s Creepy Ceili

Guildhall

Fri 28th Oct • 8pm - 11pm

Adm: £10 at the door

Traditional Irish ceili. Music provided by Martin Duggan, a Tory Island native. All proceeds in aid of the Mayor’s Charity First Housing Aid and Support Services.

After Dark

Various times & venues

Once you have experienced the spooktacular delights of the Awakening of the Walled City, why not follow our After Dark Music Trail to extend your Derry Halloween experience and get your Halloween groove on to our amazing local musical talent! Join Hudson Taylor and Alabama 3 who play Sandinos and much much more around the city.

For more information visit www.derryhalloween.com/whats-on/ after-dark

Ghostly Gigs

Music Capital presents The Alabama 3 The Bonnevilles

Sandinos Bar/Club

Fri 28th Oct • Doors 9pm

Advance Tickets: £20 + booking fee £25 on the door

Alabama3 are very much back! “Time to get whacked” with special guests The Bonnevilles.

bit.ly/Alabama3Derry

MRK Events presents HUDSON TAYLOR & Special Guests

Sandinos, Water St.

Sat 29th Oct • 7pm Cost: £25.40

This Derry Folk group returns to Derry in support of their new album!

bit.ly/MRKhudsontaylor

The City of Derry International Choir Festival

19th - 23rd Oct

The 10th City of Derry

International Choir Festival will take place from 19 - 23 October 2022 and we’re inviting YOU to take part! Plans are underway for an exciting and celebratory programme of guest artists concerts, school, national and international competitions, live performances throughout the city and fun educational workshops.

Visit https://derrychoirfest.com.

Little Horrors

The Trials & Tribulations of Winifred the Witch

Guildhall Main Hall 29th & 30th Oct: 11am, 12noon, 2pm, 3.30pm, 5pm & 6.30pm

31st Oct: 12noon, 1.30pm, 3pm, 4pm & 5.30pm Cost: £3 per person derryhalloween.com/tickets

Order, Order! We the spook council of LegenDerry are here to bear witness to our sister Winifred for crimes so wicked, so worrysome, sooo weird that it would make your hair stand on end! Winifred has been soaking up the Derry Halloween fame and has been giving away all the otherworldly secrets… all for fame and glory amongst the vilest creatures alive… human beings! Join the spook council as they uncover the truth about Winifred…

Produced by In Your Space Circus.

Kids’

Library, Foyle St.

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct

Halloween

Fri 28th Oct • 10.30am - 11.15am

Halloween Storytelling

Sat 29th Oct • 10.30am - 11.15am

Halloween Lego Club

Sat 29th Oct • 2pm - 3pm

Halloween Craft Session

Mon 31st Oct • 2pm - 3pm

FREE Booking essential. Email: derrycentral.library@librariesni.org.uk

Finding A Ghost in the Park

Café Columbia @ Café in the Park, St. Columb’s Park

Fri 28th – Sun 30th Oct • 1.30pm – 3pm

Cost: Free

Search for our ghost pictures in the park! The kids can bring the pictures they find to the café and get a free kid’s hot chocolate!

Little Monsters Inside

Location: Waterside

Dates & Times: TBC

Cost: Free

Hear about local monsters and spirits, myths and legends, and bring your own demon to life in a short animation film. Join us for evening outdoor screenings on Halloween weekend in the Waterside. For workshops and/or screenings contact excite@watersidenp.org or DM excite_wnp on Instagram.

Creepy Curiosity Club

Void Gallery, Waterloo Place

Sat 29th October • 12pm - 4pm

Cost: Free

With spooky creative activities to keep your little ghouls entertained at home and in the gallery this Halloween! No need for booking, just pop along. Spooky Halloween Sun-catcher art packs will be available for collection from 18th October. Limited number available by post.

Pumpkin Hunt on the Walls

Nine Hostages

Sun 30th Oct • Cost: Free

Look for the items we have hidden on the Walls and count them. The come back to Nine Hostages to chat about what you found, enjoy some storytelling and get a yummy meal and a hot chocolate! Visit facebook.com/9inehostagescoffeederry for times.

Monster Making

CCA, Artillery St.

Fri 28th & Sat 29th Oct • 1pm - 4pm

Cost: Free

Have you ever dreamed of creating your own weird and wonderful friend? They might have four arms, be green and furry, or have two heads! If you have, come down to our monster making workshop. No booking necessary.

Tours & Trails

Family Friendly

Spooky Tour

Meeting point: Artillery Street at Ferryquay Gate

Mon 24th - Thurs 27th Oct 5pm & 6.30pm

Cost: Family (2 adults & up to 3 children) £15 or £4 per person

Get in the Halloween spirit and embark on a walk through the city hearing gruesome ghost stories of past and present. From bones to banshees and skeletons to sinister figures. Fun, family friendly activity with a few scares along the way.

For tickets email: charlenemccrossan@icloud.com

Féile presents Spooky Tales & Scary Trails

Location: Bogside & Fountain

Thurs 27th Oct • 7pm & 9pm

Are you brave enough to follow one of the spookiest trails in Ireland through the Bogside & Fountain Tour will last approximately 60 minutes. Please wear appropriate clothing and footwear. Numbers limited. Pre-booking essential. Contact gasyardfeilederry@gmail.com for more info.

A Streets Alive project funded by Urban Villages.

Check out our Legenderry food trail around many of the local restaurants and venues.

Dress-up Silent Disco

Tours City Centre

Fri 28th - Sun 30th Oct • 4pm - 5pm

Cost: £5pp

Dance your way around the city centre to some of the best Halloween Hits to date! Costumes encouraged but not essential! Book now at www.northwestsilentdiscotours.com

Cemetery Tours

City Cemetery - Creggan entrance

Dates & Times: 28th - 31st Oct • 1pm

Cost: £5pp

Meet at the top gate, no need to book. This is a serious historical tour of our customs heritage and history. Please dress for the weather.

Derrie Danders

Meeting point: Visit Derry, Waterloo Place

Dates & Times: Mon 24th – Fri 28th Oct, 5.30pm & 7pm

Cost: £8 Adult & £6 Child

A light hearted and entertaining approximately 1 hour tour of the City Walls with some of the stories of the city with a Halloween ghostly theme. Book at Visit Derry.

Halloween OriginsAn Exploration

The Foyle Tributaries

9.30am - 5pm, Sat 30th Oct - Tues 1 Nov

Cost: £55 plus booking fee. Over 17s

An intriguing driving and walking tour that explores a number of prehistoric sites and primeval habitats linked with the rural rituals and traditions that became the Celtic Festival of Halloween.

Tickets at derryhalloween.com/tickets

Spooky Paws

Walk the Walls

City Walls • Tues 25th Oct

Registration: 7pm. Walk at 7.30pm

Cost: £5pp

Join in the Halloween celebrations by taking part in our fancy dress dog walk around the Derry Walls. Free Halloween treats for every dog that enters and lots of prizes! Judging will take place before the event starts. To raise extra donations email rainbowrehoming@gmail.com to request a sponsor form. Free light refreshments afterwards.

The Experiment

Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company

Magazine St.

Thursday 27th - Sun 30th Oct 6pm - 10pm (15 minute slots)

A Blood Chilling Sensory Experience. Are you brave enough to take part in The Experiment? Not suitable for Under 14s. Contains scenes of a graphic nature and flashing lights.

www.echoechodance.com

Halloween Hoolies

Kids’ Halloween Party At Da Vinci’s

Da Vinci’s Hotel

Sat 29th Oct

Kids: £12, Adults: £6, Family of 4: £32

Kids Entertainer - Annetti Spaghetti • Fancy dress party • Toffee apple making • Pumpkin painting • Face painting • Halloween Disco • Donut eating race • There will be fun games, prizes and trick or treat bags. Food platters available for kids. Tea, coffee and sweet treat for adults.

To book your tickets, ask at reception or call: Call 028 71 279 111.

Halloween Family Spooktacular

City Hotel

Mon 31st Oct • 5pm - 9pm

Cost: Adults £26, Kids £12.95

Hot buffet, Kids’ entertainment, Halloween games, Micro Zoo and Trick or Treat sweetie corner. Tickets at www.facebook.com/ CityHotelDerryNI

Halloween Afternoon Tea

Bishop’s Gate Hotel

Sun 30th Oct • 12.30pm & 3pm

Cost: Adults from £25, Children £14

Have a “spooktacular”

Halloween with your family this year and join us for an “out of this world” afternoon tea celebration. Our afternoon menu will be filled with spellbinding sweet treats & savoury bites inspired by the “City Of Bones”.

Advance booking required. Call 028 7114 0300.

Village of the Damned

Soda & Starch, Craft Village

Fri 28th - Mon 31st Oct • 12noon - late

Cooking family ghouls treats on our charcoal oven BBQ under our spooky canopy, outdoor streetfood venue, Burgers Beats & Beers. Open to all!

70s & 80s Dinner

Party

Spaghetti Junction

Fri 28th Oct • 7.30pm • Cost: £30pp

Come in fancy dress to our all you can eat buffet with a Live 70/80s set from our resident singer Bruno Tamiozzo!

Monster Halloween Funfair

Visitor Car Park, Ebrington Sat 22nd - Mon 31st Oct 2pm – 10pm daily

Spooky Halloween funfair with all your favourite attractions for the whole family. Enjoy panoramic views of the city from the Big wheel and get into the Halloween spirit on the ghost train.

Family Fun

Derry Halloween AV Show

Visit Derry, Waterloo Place

Mon 17th Oct - Sun 6th Nov

9am - 5pm • Free • Dur: 3 - 4 mins

An animated show for the whole family to enjoy, telling the story of Derry Halloween’s rise to become one of the world’s foremost Halloween celebrations. As Walter de Burgh prepares the city for Halloween, he’ll be joined by his ghostly ancient friends. These ancient spirits turn iconic landmarks spooky and recount their ghostly stories. Walter takes you on a mischievous journey, keeping the ancient tradition of Halloween alive.

Irish Video Game Orchestra

St. Columb’s Hall • Sat 29th Oct

1pm, 3pm & 5pm Cost: £4pp

The IVGO are a team of forward-thinking musicians who have dazzled audiences across Ireland and the UK with a dynamic repertoire of classic and contemporary video game scores. Expect a whirlwind adventure across the musical maps of Zelda, Final Fantasy, Super Mario, Metal Gear and many more magical scores. Combined with a mesmerizing audio-visual display and stunning light show, the IVGO will be a Halloween highlight in Derry’s spooktacular celebrations! derryhalloween.com/tickets

Zombie Apocalypse

Lock’n’load Derry • 1st - 30th Oct Cost: £12 • Family Ticket £40

Will you survive the Zombie Apocalypse? Enter a Solo Game of laser tag or battle up to 30 players, one of which has just been bitten by the zombies. If they tag you three times you’ll be infected and your weapon will turn from blue (living) to red (walking dead)!

Call 07783 932526 or PM facebook.com/airsoftderry

Thurs 27th - Sun 30th Oct

7pm - 9pm

Our Youth Club, Club Óige Setanta, will host a Haunted House in the Old School House to raise funds for the club. This event is open to 12 year-olds and up and will cost £5pp.

Windows into the Well Holywell Trust

Fri 28th - Sun 30th Oct

6.30pm - 9pm

Enjoy these themed performances in the windows facing Bishop Street. An otherworldy spectacle of lights, music and dance –awakening the inhabitants of the well – sharing their story with locals, families and tourists, who can experience the performance from Bishop Street. 20 min performance, three times each evening.

Halloween at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin

Great James St.

Thurs 27th Oct • 6pm - 9pm

A Samhain workshop with Mary Delargy. Hear about the true origins of Samhain and how modern transatlantic traditions are adaptations of our Celtic nuances. Make a Seán na Gealaí, (turnip lantern), píog úlla, (apple pie) and tell stories from your youth. This event is free, open to adults.

In our Old Church carpark, we will have a traditional Samhain bonfire, with spooky storytelling of Old Celtic mythology and traditions. Free event and open to adults.

Mon 31st Oct

11am - 1pm

Come along to our family event, open to all! Let the kids make their own broomsticks and masks or enjoy storytelling and music from our children attending the Acadamh. Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin’s café owner, Laurent will hold an apple pie making class. This is a free event.

Family Fun

KJ Hauntings Cinema Screening

Waterside Theatre

Fri 28th Oct • 7.30pm • Cost: £8

Local paranormal investigators, Kim & Jason of KJ Hauntings are back for an exclusive cinema screening. Join them as they premiere one of their haunted adventures from a brand new location on the big screen. The screening will not be available on any other platform so don’t miss out.

*This is open to all ages at parents’ discretion.

Tickets: https://derryhalloween.com/ tickets

MAPA @ NWRC presents The Nightmare Before Midterm

The Walled City’s most Terrifying Musical Experience

NWRC Foyle Theatre Building, Strand Rd. Tues 25th Oct • 7pm

Cost: £5 adult, Children Free

A Fangtastic Halloween Musical Showcase featuring a variety of song, dance and musical theatre. Trick-or-Treat yourself to a spooktacular evening of performances from our bewitching HNC/ HND Performing Arts students. Kids in costume free! Email: kitty.ocallaghan@nwrc.ac.uk or Carie.logue-houston@nwrc.ac.uk for more information.

Foyleside Frights

Foyleside Shopping Centre

15th-16th, 22nd-23rd, 28th-31st Oct Cost: Free

‘Foyleside Frights’ will be filled with freaky festivities that reflect the history, heritage and spirit of the city Enjoy a ‘frightening’ photo maze, Halloween-themed crafts and fearsome face painting as our young ones embrace the rich mythologies and legendary tales that accompany Halloween.

Haunted Heritage

Tower Museum & Guildhall

Opening 9am with last entry at 9pm

Normal charges apply.

Enjoy the spooky goings on at both the Tower Museum and the Guildhall during the city events.

Halloween Indoor Market

Society Street Indoor Market

Fri 28th - Sun 30th Oct • 2pm - 10pm

Free face painting, children’s crafts and games!

Children’s haunted basement, free hot dog, treat bag, 2pm –6pm - £5pp

Adult’s haunted basement, £6.50pp - Booking preferable.

House of Horrors

Old Tourist Information Building

Mon 24th – Sun 30th Oct

Cost: £5pp

House of Horrors returns for its second year. Last year it claimed the accolade of Derry’s scariest haunted house ever!!

And this year we are going bigger and better, the building itself is built on an old graveyard and is claimed to be haunted by a number of ghosts. This event is run by Glen Development Initiative and Rainbow Children and Family Centre.

Tickets available by contacting GDI on 02871268748 Pay at the door also available £5pp.

Halloween Energy of Light Disco

Millennium Forum

Friday 28th Oct • 8.30-10pm

Saturday 29th Oct • 4-5pm 0-8 years

Saturday 29th Oct • 5-6pm 8-14 years

Cost: £3

The Energy of Light disco is the city’s only fully inclusive accessible disco, offering young people living with disabilities and their families to have an eventful Halloween party.

Howl-oween arrives at Wild Ireland

Wild Ireland

Tues 1st – Sun 6th Nov

Prices - €15 for Adults and €12 for kids (Open 10am to 5pm)

Come and join us this Howloween for a jam packed week of giant pre-historic monsters, magic wizards and spooky stories! Book at www.wildireland.org OR via our Facebook page.

Carnival Parade

On the Ninth Wave

City Centre

Mon 31st Oct • 7pm

Manannan on the ninth wave rose up from the deep Leading a procession of spirits awoke from their sleep

All manner of faerie folk and Otherworldly creatures Banshees, witches and selkies with ghoulish features

Some were horned, some feathered, scaled, and evil eyed

All in search of mortals with neither beacon nor disguise

Lake of Shadows released Suileach the many eyed beast

The Foyle returned the Rivergods to join the Samhain feast

Let citizens take heed if you stray out on a Hallows night

Beware of the cry of the raven and stay well out of sight

Be sure and don a costume and cover up your head And come to the Walled City and dance with the living dead

The Carnival Parade is brought to you by the North West Carnival Initiative.

and Unlock Walled the Beyond City

Visit Derry Visitor Pass

Make the most of your trip with a Visit Derry Visitor Pass, an integrated ticket allowing you access to 10 city centre attractions and activities. It’s amazing value, saving you both time and money as you weave your way around the Walled City unlocking its stories and secrets. Pick yours up at the Visitor Information Centre or buy it online at visitderrypass.com. Then take in the city’s must-see visitor attractions including the Guildhall, Tower Museum, Siege Museum and The Museum of Free Derry; tours of St. Columb’s and St. Eugene’s cathedrals, churches and heritage centres; or join the top guided walking tours in the city. Worth every penny!

Awakening the Walled City Halloween 2022

If you’re lucky enough to be in Derry during Halloween, you’ll witness the city come alive with an ancient spirit. There’s the Samhain gathering in the spine-tingling City of Bones, and across the Peace Bridge there’s the immersive and illuminated Forest of Shadows. Fireworks will light up the sky while carnival artists, dancers and circus performers take part in our Samhain Parade. There’s always a good time to visit Derry, but Halloween might just be the best. Just put on your disguise and watch as the City of Bones puts on a show that’s out of this world!

Seamus Heaney Home Place

Drop in to our beloved Nobel laureate’s hometown of Bellaghy. The life and works of Seamus Heaney are open to you, right where the people, place, and landscape inspired him. This multi-award winning exhibition immerses you in Seamus Heaney’s world, from childhood to global appreciation.

Bakehouse NI - Digging for Gin

Great Value Short Breaks

Join Bronagh at the Bakehouse NI in Magherafelt for an afternoon creating your own bottle of gin, infused with delicious ingredients you’ve foraged fresh that day. Digging for Gin is perfect for small groups and guides you through the process of making Sloe Gin as well as baking traditional Irish bread. Best of all, you take home what you make – yum!

Bishop’s Gate Hotel

This intimate urban oasis is your perfect base for exploring the walled city of Derry. A luxury boutique hotel, its blend of Edwardian architecture and contemporary luxury is balm to the soul. The beautiful rooms, with their views across the city, provide the ultimate sanctuary after a busy day. Then it’s time to contemplate a glass of something sparkling at The Wig and Gown Champagne Bar and Restaurant.

Food & Restaurants

Derry is home to an incredible array of great value dining options. Whether you’re looking for a cheap and cheerful family/friends’ night out, a romantic dinner for two or a craic’ packed dinner for 12, you’ll find it in Derry City without a jaw-dropping pricetag. There’s Fitzroy’s and Quaywest Wine Bar and Restaurant, two spots serving up delicious global cuisine. There’s also The Exchange for those seeking a more sophisticated dining experience, and Badgers for those more comfortable eating in the pub! Our advice? Leave plenty of room for dinner and get ready to eat like a local.

Awakening the Walled City Halloween 2022

Seamus Heaney HomePlace

Bellaghy

Bishop’s Gate Hotel Derry

Fireworks Finale

River Foyle Sun 31st Oct 8pm -8.15pm

We are delighted that our breathtaking fireworks will return to Derry Halloween 2022! Watch the Samhain skies come alive with colour as this decade old tradition returns with a bang!

Halloween Hay Sculpture Trail

District Wide

Fri 14th - Mon 31st Oct

Take a scenic drive around the picturesque Villages but watch out, there are a few strange figures lurking about! From Bready to Castlederg, Strabane, Donemana, Glenmornan, Artigarvan, Ballymcgorry. Catch sightings of some strange and wonderful characters on the horizon. All created by the local community.

Visit Strabanehalloween.com for map of trail and postcodes

Halloween at The Alley Alley Theatre

Sat 29th - Mon 31st Oct

A fangtastic range of entertainment including Trick or Treat Tours, Halloween Workshops, Live Performances, Theatre and Spooky Movie Day plus lots more.

See www.alley-theatre.com for full listings.

Halloween Fireworks

Melvin Running Track

Mon 31st Oct • 7pm

Fire Juggling Show

6pm - 7pm

Castlederg Apple Fair

The Diamond, Castlederg

Fri 28th Oct • 8am - 6pm

Traditional apple sellers will be in town from early morning along with a range of stalls full of scrumptious Halloween delights. For details or to book a stall contact Gordon Speer on 028 81 670 636 or borderarts@tinyonline.co.uk

Donegal Halloween

The Ancients

Swan Park, Buncrana Sat 29th & Sun 30th Oct • 5pm - 9pm

The ancient Red Branch Knights of Ulster (An Croabh Rua) lie sleeping in full battle armour, ready to ride forth at Ireland’s moment of greatest need. Be prepared as they ready themselves to ride forth to Swan Park Buncrana, where you can experience legends, lore, and characters associated with the Red Branch Knights. Imagine how they might march again towards Lough Swilly on Halloween night, telling and reliving their stories.

Supported by the North West Development Fund and organised in partnership with Donegal County Council.

Carnival Care

Please enjoy the Halloween Carnival Celebrations safely & sensibly. Visit www.derryhalloween.com/ carnivalcare for Carnival Care information.

Your journey to be part of the biggest Halloween celebrations in the country starts with Translink. Plan your journey via the Translink NI App or use our online journey planner at translink.co.uk

Visit our website for information on Festival Car Parking