Derry is bracing itself for 100,000 people into the city centre this week for 'Europe's biggest Halloween festival'.
With innovative installations and using the cityscape to its maximum capacity, the organisers have made Derry Halloween a safe and friendly environment.
The four-day extravaganza kicks off on October 28, as ghosts and gobblins of all shapes and sizes take to the streets.
Read more: Family-friendly events not to be missed this Derry Halloween
What begins on October 28?
It all kicks off with the Awakening the Walled City Trail, which runs for three nights, Friday – Sunday, taking in a range of sites throughout both the city centre and the Waterside on this magical 4km trail.
This year Derry City and Strabane District Council have joined forces with the renowned Guildhall School of Music and Drama, an exciting creative collaboration that will see the city transformed through illumination and animation, with 28 creepily curated installations.
The trail will run from Bishop Street through the City of Bones, and the Guildhall Square and over the Peace Bridge and into the Forest of Shadows in St Columb’s Park.
Throughout the festival, Guildhall Square will be transformed into the Heart of Samhain, with live music, the haunted Halloween market and plenty of festive fayre to feast upon.
And there is so much going on for little ghosts and ghouls with a packed programme of activities from creepy critters in the Kidz Farm, to the Trials and Tribulations of Winifred the Witch at the Little Horrors story-telling sessions in the Guildhall.
Meanwhile, the Monster Halloween Funfair is on at Ebrington Carpark, with cemetery tours, Silent Disco events, monster-making workshops, and sinister cinema screenings on throughout the festival as well.
What time does the North West Carnival start on Halloween night?
Halloween night sees the return of Derry’s huge on-street carnival parade making its comeback after a three-year break due to the pandemic.
Led by the North West Carnival Initiative, the Halloween parade traditionally involves hundreds of local performers, drawn from schools, clubs and groups right across the City and District, helping it to retain the community spirit that has always been at the heart of Derry’s world-class festivities.
Some of the City’s finest performers will bring the story of the 9th Wave to life, reawakening the river Gods for a fearsome display of magic and mayhem led by some of our most spooky spirits of the deep.
When and where will the Derry Halloween Fireworks Finale take place?
What better way to end the festival than the famous Halloween Fireworks Finale at 8pm along the Quay.
The display will take place on two barges located on the River Foyle, and in the interests of health and safety, the Peace Bridge will be closed from 7.45pm in advance of the display, reopening at 8.45pm.
Visitors are advised to spread out while watching the fireworks, with viewing points extended from the Peace Bridge right down to the Fort George Science Park.
Locals and visitors are advised to plan ahead to ensure they have all the information they need to ensure a safe and hassle-free Halloween.
Festival and Events Manager with Council, Jacqueline Whoriskey, said: “The countdown is certainly on now as Halloween fast approaches, and we have gone all out this year to make sure there is an eclectic mix of activities to get everyone involved.
"We’re delighted to see the return of Saurus and Spark this year, who really add to the buzz out on the streets, and we’re thrilled to welcome back the traditional Halloween parade.
"Halloween just belongs to the people of Derry, and this year is going to be really special. We look forward to welcoming everyone to our beautiful city to join in the celebrations.”
Where can you park?
There is a number of parking facilities across Derry that can be used but visitors are encouraged to walk, cycle or use public transport where they can.
Parking is available at a number of locations throughout the City:
Cityside carparks
- Foyleside Shopping Centre Car Park East
- Foyleside West and Quayside Shopping Centre
- Foyle Road
- Magee Campus (Lawrence Hill)
- Carlisle Road
- William Street.
On the 31st October, Strand Road car park will be for accessible car parking only.
Waterside car parks open to public:
- Oakgrove School
- Foyle Arena
- Foyle College
- Spencer Road and Former Waterside Health Centre Car Parks
The following car parks will be closed between October 28 - 30
- Bishop Street Car Park will have a partial car park closure in place from 28th – 30th October. From 2pm – 5pm each day vehicles can only exit via Bishop Gate.
- No vehicles will be permitted to leave Bishop Street carpark between 5pm -10pm
- Society Street car park will be closed from 28th – 30th October
- Foyle Street Carpark will be closed from the 28th – 31st October
- Queens Quay and Strand Road Carpark will be closed on the 31st October
Road Closure on St Columb's Park Road 2pm until 10pm (Residents Parking Only) from the 28th – 30th October.
From October 28-30 the Council carpark on Strand Road will be open to the public. The Fort George site will also be open for event parking.
What public transport is available?
Translink will run a shuttle bus service from the NW Transport Hub in the Waterside to Foyle Street throughout the Awakening the Walled City event.
A number of additional services within the City are also scheduled for Halloween night. For information on Translink bus and rail services to and from the city go to HERE.
What roads will be closed?
To ensure that everyone has the very best Halloween experience this year, Derry City and Strabane District Council has issued information to help avoid the queues, and access all the events over the weekend safely and easily.
A number of arrangements and closures have been put in place to ensure the safe delivery of the event, and everyone is being asked to plan ahead and follow the directions of stewards and police.
Motorists are advised to expect some delays and diversions in the City Centre during the four nights of the event.
From Friday 28th, Saturday 29th, Sunday 30th October City Centre Road Closures will operate from 2pm until 10pm in the following areas:
- Full Road Closure - Shipquay Street, Bank Place, Union Hall Street, Magazine Street, Magazine Street Upper, Butcher Street, The Diamond, Shipquay Street, Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street within, London Street, Pump Street, Artillery Street
- No City Centre on-Street parking with exception of Shipquay Street before 11am
- Foyle Street, Whittaker Street, Foyle Embankment Carriageway from its junction with Water Street to Harbour Square Roundabout from 4pm until 10pm
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