THIS year’s Hallowe’en celebrations in Derry and Strabane promise to be “Out of this World” when the City and District throws a party like no other as it celebrates 30 years of being spooktacular.
The official “Best Hallowe’en Destination in the world” is gearing itself up for the best celebration yet with a packed programme of events and activities for revellers of all ages to enjoy and participate in.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Hilary McClintock, speaking at the launch of the City of Bones Hallowe’en programme for Derry~Londonderry and Strabane said this year’s festival programme has lots to offer.
She commented: “This year we have a fantastic line up of events and activities for everyone to enjoy.
“We are expecting an influx of visitors and in particular young families coming to the City and District looking to enjoy our unique Hallowe’en experience and to be part of our world famous Hallowe’en celebrations.
“A lot of work goes into the festival every year and Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to have a programme of events that includes street animation, storytelling, tours and trails, street markets and lots of spooktacular happenings, for the entire community to enjoy,” she commented.
Among the key highlights of the festival include a welcome return of the Awakening of the Walls when the ancient City Walls will come to life with music, animation and light, creating a realm of fantasy fire and flame from Friday 28 to Sunday 30th October from 6-8pm each night.
Other highlights include spooky Gothic organ recitals at the Guildhall on the evening of Sunday 30 October, terrifying haunted tours at the Tower Museum, Weird and Wonderful Witches Tales at the Guildhall, a Hallowe’en panto at Strabane’s Alley Theatre, Monstrous Halloween workshops and Stotytelling at Strabane Community Library and family entertainment including mask making workshops and arts and crafts at the Craft Village.
New to this year is a Made in Derry Halloween focused food tour on Saturday 29 October from 12-4pm where you can adorn your favourite Halloween costume and eat and drink your way around the city centre and sample delights from over 30 different food and drink producers and venues.
On Hallowe’en night Monday 31 October, both Derry and Strabane will host an evening of fun and entertainment when the City of Bones Street Carnival Parade will make its way along Derry’s Queen’s Quay from 7 pm followed by a fabulous Fireworks Finale at 8 pm, while in Strabane, the Upper Main Street car park will be transformed into a family friendly fun area from 7-8.30 pm and a fireworks display over the River Mourne at 8 pm.
Jacqueline Whoriskey is the Council’s Festival and Events Manager. She says preparations are at an advanced stage for this year’s festival with Council pulling out all the stops to make sure the 30th anniversary of the festival is truly special for the people of Derry and Strabane.
“Preparations are well underway and we are delighted to have up to 600 carnival participants taking part in workshops and rehearsals for the Carnival Parade.
“The “Out of this World” theme encourages people to be creative and think outside the box for their costumes and we are really looking forward to seeing some magical creations and designs taking part.
“We are delighted with the variety of the programme and the fact that cultural venues, shops and theatres in both Derry and Strabane have come up trumps in terms of organising events and activities to complement our festival,” she added.
Other highlights happening in and around the Council area over the Hallowe’en holidays include the Castlederg Apple Fair,
Hallowe’en Fun Fair at Ebrington and a horror movie week at the Nerve Centre, as well as treasure hunts and spooky bat and ghost tours at Creggan Country Park while the Riverwatch Aquarium will play host to a series of fantastic ghoulish events including a Shark Night and a Barn Owl Prowl. Gray’s Printing Press in Strabane will host an day of Bewitching Tales while Trick or Treat tours will leave from the Alley Theatre and the Riversdale Leisure Centre will host a Hallowe’en Pool Disco.
To find out more about all the events taking place in the City of Bones in the run up to and during Hallowe’en check out the full programme at www.derrystrabane.com/halloween
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