Spooktacular Family Fun to be had in the Halloween Capital
The perfect four day itinerary to experience a little bit of everything at Derry Halloween!
DAY 1 – Tuesday 28th October
Getting Here:
There’s plenty of ways to get to the historic Walled City of Derry. Fly direct to the city from London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and Birmingham into the City of Derry Airport. Or travel into Belfast International or Dublin Airport. Check out the Aircoach for transport from both airports, which will take you directly into the city centre. Travelling within Northern Ireland? Hop on the train and take in the scenic views along the way. For more information on getting to the city, click here.
3pm Arrival
Once you arrive in the city, check into your accommodation. With a range of family-friendly hotels, self-catering, guest houses and B&B accommodation in the city and region, you’ll experience a legenderry welcome! Explore accommodation options here.
5pm Dinner at Castel Street Social
Set against the stunning backdrop of our city’s 400-year-old walls, Castle Street Social is the perfect dining option to experience a taste of LegenDerry before an evening of spooktacular fun. Expect a fun and casual atmosphere with a menu of locally produced food made for sharing.
6pm – 9pm Awakening the Walled City Trail
From Tuesday 28th – Thursday 30th October, those who dare can embark on a journey along the Awakening the Walled City Trail, where rich folklore, history, and heritage come to life in a truly unique experience. Be sure to experience breathtaking street celebrations of all things eerie, right in the capital of Halloween. From a bit of Derry craic at the Disco in the Diamond to the haunting cries of The Sisters of Mercy on Bishop Street, you’ll find a bit of Halloween on every corner along the Walled City Trail. Below are just some of the highlights of the trail! Check the official programme of events for all performances.
Disco in the Diamond – Step into The Diamond, where light, colour and Halloween magic awaken the spirits of Samhain. From towering puppets to funky skeletons, get ready to dance, dazzle and join the spellbinding street party!
Shipquay Shriek – Climb the haunted hill of Shipquay Shriek, where fire, smoke and a Samhain serpent set the scene. The red zone is alive with smoke, shadows and shivers.
Day 2 – Wednesday 29th October
9am Breakfast at The Scullery Cafe
Enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant coffee shop in Derry City centre catering for needs of visitors and locals alike, specializing in breakfast and lunch – the kids will love the pancakes!
10am Discover the Walled City
Before the Halloween festivities begin for the day, why not take the time to explore more of the city. Dander across the Peace Bridge and take an autumnal stroll through St. Columb’s Park – it’s truly beautiful at this time of year.
Want to learn more about our historic city? Discover the story of Derry at the award-winning Tower Museum. From prehistory to present, including the Armada Shipwreck Exhibition, the entire family will be enthralled by our colourful history. During Samhain, Walter and Amelia Scareheart will be awakened with colour, animations and art activities in Spooktacular Awakenings.
Are you a Derry Girls fan? Be sure to check out The Derry Girls Experience, where you can see original memorabilia from the hit show like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes!
12noon Heart of Samhain
During Halloween, Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place will come alive with all manner of creepy ghouls, feasting on the sights, sounds and tastes of Derry Halloween. From 12pm – 9pm on 28th – 31st October, you can discover a taste of LegenDerry at the Haunted Harvest Festival while taking in the melodies of talented local singers and bands on the Samhain Stage.
4pm Freddie Lost His Fangs – A Halloween Tale
Uh-oh! Vampire Freddy has lost his fangs and he needs your help! Join us for a hilarious, interactive Halloween adventure filled with giggles, ghostly surprises and spooky fun. Perfect for little monsters and big monsters alike. Come for the fangs, stay for the fun!
5pm – Dinner at Pyke N Pommes
If you’re looking for dinner after a day of spooky fun, Pyke ’n’ Pommes is the perfect spot to satisfy those post-fright cravings. This award-winning local favourite has been “making our city taste better” since 2013, serving up everything from juicy Wagyu beef burgers to tacos bursting with bold, local flavours. Whether you’re dining riverside by the quay or at their stylish restaurant @57, you’ll find passion, creativity, and a true taste of Derry in every delicious bite — the perfect way to refuel before another night of Halloween magic
6pm – Awakening the Walled City Trail
Monster Halloween Funfair at Ebrington Square – No Halloween trip to Derry would be complete without a visit to the Spooky Funfair! Packed with thrills for all the family, it’s the perfect place to soak up the festival atmosphere. Take in breathtaking panoramic views of the city from the Big Wheel, scream your way through the Ghost Train, and enjoy all your favourite fairground attractions
Day 3 – Thursday 30th October
10am Giants of the Sperrins
Want to embrace the outdoors? Be sure to visit the Sperrins Sculpture Trail. Installed at three different locations all within the Sperrins region, The Giants of the Sperrins are born from the geology, archaeology and heritage of the Sperrins. They evoke the mystical, and celebrate the ancient, intriguing and atmospheric natural beauty and history of the region. A must visit!
1pm – Lunch @ 9ine Hostages
If you’re looking for a cosy spot to refuel between Halloween adventures, make your way to 9ine Hostages at the top of bustling Waterloo Street. Indulge in homemade cookies, sticky cinnamon buns, or a gooey cheese toastie made with local ingredients as you watch the city buzz outside. It’s the perfect place to warm up, unwind, and recharge before diving back into the Halloween festivities.
3pm – Sour Potions, Void Art Centre
Sour Potions workshop! Create fun fermented experiments using leftover pumpkins, turnips and apples, and take home your own spooky potion as a lasting flavour of Halloween. With quick, hands-on demos for kids and adults, each potion can be bottled, named and branded with a spine chilling twist.
6pm – Awakening the Walled City Trail
Orange Zone
Haunted Harvest Market in the Cathedral Quarter (beside St. Columb’s Cathedral) – Love a toffee apple?
Fancy a Hot Chocolate? Celebrate the flavours of the season with local produce, artisan treats, crafts and antiques in the stalls and shops of Derry’s beautiful Cathedral Quarter.
Purple zone
Fright Night Funk – Fright Night Funk transforms the streets into an electrifying dance party with El Carromato’s spectacular 13-foot illuminated puppets. These towering luminous beings beckon spirits both living and dead to join their ritual – where mortals become one with the ancient dance of Samhain.
Green Zone
The Howling Wolf Awakens – In the shadowed depths of Bishop Street, the haunting She-Wolf emerges from the darkness, her amber eyes fixed longingly on the glowing Samhain Moon. With each desperate attempt to reach the sacred light, she is pulled back by the restless spirits and ghostly bones that guard this cursed cobblestone path. Witness her eternal struggle as she prowls between worlds, forever trapped by the vengeful dead who refuse to let her pass.
Day 4 – Friday 31st October
10am Breakfast at The Sandwich Co. | The Diamond
We recommend kickstarting the day with breakfast at The Sandwich Co. Whether you are in need of a healthy breakfast, an Ulster fry, vegan-friendly option, or one of their lunch offerings, followed by something sweet to satisfy that craving, The Sandwich Co. have a vast range of options to sit down to or take away.
3pm Trick or Treat Trail and disco
Join us at 10 different locations and businesses in the city. Will it be a trick or a treat? Finish off with a fun Halloween Disco in the Guildhall with facepainting and shake your BOO-ty on the dancefloor! All your Little Horrors must be accompanied by an adult and fancy dress is a must to creep it real!
7pm Carnival Parade | City Centre
The Carnival of the Dead will take over the streets of the city, bringing the festival to a thrilling close. With its mesmerizing costumes, performances, and community involvement, the parade captures the city’s spirit and provides an incredible experience for locals and visitors alike. It’s a must-see event for anyone visiting Derry during Halloween, offering a spectacular blend of art, culture, and eerie fun.
8:15pm Fireworks Finale
We are delighted that our breathtaking fireworks will return to Derry Halloween 2025! Watch the Samhain skies come alive with colour as this decade old tradition returns with a BANG!
