Check out our list of foodie experiences for Halloween this year.
Halloween Afternoon Tea at Galgorm
Served 27th - 31st October
Graveyard, Ghosts and Foggy food will be served this Halloween at the Galgorm Resort. Expect Clementine & Chocolate Soil Graveyard and Boney Pistachio Tart amongst your Halloween themed treats.
£45
Ghostly Afternoon Tea at a Hastings Hotel
Two of Hastings hotels will be holding special Halloween Afternoon Teas (28th – 31st October) with a selection of themed delights and ghostly treats:
· The Everglades Hotel in Derry-Londonderry for £30 per adult and £21 per child
· Ballygally Castle is £35 per adult and £19 per child
Halloween Afternoon Tea at the GoT Studio Tour
Dine like a King or Queen
Saturday 14 October – Tuesday 31 October
Pre-book your Halloween Afternoon Tea with themed foods such as Kings Rocky Road, Hot Pie’s Sausage Rolls, Chocolate Crunch Dragon Eggs, High Garden Sandwich Selection and more.
Cost: £25pp*
*All Afternoon Tea must be booked in advance of visit.
Afternoon Tea at Bishopsgate Hotel, Derry, before the big event!
Have a "spooktacular" Halloween with your family this year and join Bishopsgate for an "out of this world" afternoon tea celebration.
Hosted in the Northern Counties Ballroom on Sunday 29th & Monday 30th October, the afternoon will be filled with spellbinding sweet treats inspired by the "City Of Bones".
£27.50
Halloween at A Peculiar Tea
A Night Before Christmas themed afternoon tea Includes themed Sweet Treats, Sandwiches and Scones. Not like any Afternoon Tea you've had before.
18 Oct - 18 Nov
£47
Halloween Chocolate Workshop
Enter the magical world of Chocolate at Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory Belfast and make Halloween chocolate apples and more to take home!
Book a space for yourself and your friends online here.
Limited edition Tayto Fright Bites are only available in the run up to Halloween.
These tasty Bites are salt and vinegar flavoured, and have been selling fast across Northern Ireland in the run up to Halloween. You could say that it’s love at first bite for Tayto fans.
Did you know that Fright Bites are the official snack partner of the Halloween Carnival Parade.
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Spooktacular tales and scary trails await brave families this Hallowe’en at National Trust places across Northern Ireland. Keep an eye out for sinister scarecrows at Florence Court’s Harvest Festival of Colour or settle in for spooky storytelling at Mount Stewart. Help keep the Halloween half-term horrors at bay by enjoying a Dark Shore Carriage Ride at Castle Ward, and potion and broomstick making at Springhill. With a variety of activities on offer including spooky fun and thrilling adventures for all the family, be prepared for a terror-ific time. Every spooktacular day out with the National Trust helps care for special places now and for Halloweens to come.
Here are some great days out this Halloween across Northern Ireland:
Castle Ward, County Down
This Halloween discover enchanting tales of old as you follow the special family trail. Contribute your own magical touch to the Wise Witch's cauldron, test your nerve in a Banshee chase, and immerse yourself in the mysterious sounds of nature by the eerie shore. After your enchanting trail adventure, families can delight in a spook-tacular array of treats offering both scrumptious delights and warming elixirs to keep the Halloween spirit alive. Little ones and grown-ups alike can hop onto horse and carriage rides, winding along the mystical shore, adding an extra touch of magic to your All Hallows Eve experience. Head into the theatre for a creative session of Halloween crafts and dress up, where you can fashion your own witch's wand. For an extra dose of Halloween wonder, make your way to Hawks NI, where an enthralling live hawk handling demonstration awaits, adding a feathered flair to this unforgettable day of ancient Irish mythology and festive family fun this Halloween at Castle Ward.
A variety of additional support available to help you enjoy your visit, including wheelchairs, mobility scooters, sensory backpacks and advice. For any specific access requirements, please email castleward@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 02844881204
Dogs on short leads welcome in wider estate and tea-room.
Normal admission charges apply, no extra cost for Halloween event.
Florence Court, County Fermanagh
Feast on food, folklore and fun at Florence Court this autumn as the annual Harvest Festival returns for Halloween. Delve into treats and traditions with the new Food and Craft Fair. Listen to tales by the fireside in the Forge, spot scarecrows staggered along the woodland trails and pose beside pumpkins in the Kitchen Garden. With all this and much more to discover, the Harvest Festival of Colour serves up the perfect family day out.
Autumn is no time to hibernate, as you explore the golden gardens as the trees change colour, wrap up warm and take in everything nature has to offer. The whole family can explore on two wheels by hiring bikes or borrowing free balance bikes to take on forest trails.
Dogs are welcome in gardens and wider estate but must remain on a short lead. Normal admission charges apply
Mount Stewart, County Down
This Halloween half term there will be spooky fun and thrilling adventures for all the family at Mount Stewart.Discover the mystical folklore past of Ireland with our myths and legends trail. Settle down for some seasonal and spooky storytelling and head into the House for some Halloween Hijinks.
While you’re there, visit the famous gardens at Mount Stewart which are particularly spectacular during autumn when the compartmentalised outdoor rooms come alive with scent and colour. And for autumn colour the many trails, including a one-mile wheelchair friendly route, around the lake reveal the gold, red and bronze Acer trees. Mount Stewart’s microclimate also means the Rose Garden will be in bloom until the first frost.
Further afield the wider demesne is one of the last few strongholds of the native Red Squirrel. In early autumn you might spot them on the ground at foraging for fallen seeds to store for winter. Look out for autumn signs of activity such as nibbled pine or spruce cones and hazelnuts and listen out for their distinctive calls which sounds like a chucking.
Dogs are welcome in gardens and wider estate but must remain on a short lead
Mobility scooters are available to hire but must be prebooked, please email mountstewart@nationaltrust.org.uk
Normal admission charges apply, no extra cost for Halloween event..
Springhill, County Londonderry
Visit Springhill this half term, regarded as one of the prettiest houses to visit in Northern Ireland, the house is open every weekend in October. Springhill’s autumn colours are a beautiful sight, not to be missed. Take a walk up to the sawmill and gaze in every direction at the autumnal landscape. Springhill is also home to a wonderful array of fungal fruiting bodies in all shapes, sizes and colours with fantastically names such as the Scarlet Elf Cup, the Jelly Ear, and the Shaggy Inkcap. Perhaps the most unique and beguiling fungi is the fluted birds nest fungus, nestled in amongst the bark chip of the path, which would easily go unnoticed by the passer by. Main route around house accessible, two steps at bottom of Juniper Walk. Most woodland paths accessible with mobility scooter, outer paths not accessible. Dogs are welcome in gardens and wider estate but must remain on a short lead. Normal admission charges apply, no extra cost for Halloween event. Booking advisable for family volunteering 02887789000, argory@nationaltrust.org.uk
Giants Causeway, County Antrim
This Halloween half term take a giant day out at Northern Ireland’s only UNESCO World Heritage Site. This half term families can join ‘Finn's Frightful Fun Fest’ and visitors are encouraged to come dressed up for a special Halloween Treasure Hunt; special guided tours, ‘Spectacular Spooky Tales’ Creepy Crafts. These events are suitable for all ages and we will also have ‘Finn’s Autumn Adventure Trail’ running the full week of half term, from Monday 30 October to Friday 3 November.
Visitors in the autumn can look out for flocks of whooper swans, brent geese and lots of wading birds making their way from their northern breeding grounds to spend winter here. The cliffs and slopes are bathed in fading golden shades in the autumn light, and on the farmland above the hawthorn berries create a fiery red glow. Flitting around the meadows, goldfinches, linnets and twite gather into hungry flocks to search for seeds.
Giant's Causeway Visitor Experience tickets include reserved on-site parking, guided tours with our award-winning storytelling team, use of hand-held audio guide as well as access to the visitor centre exhibition and interpretation, shop, café and all facilities.
And remember the Giant’s Causeway is fully dog friendly, with dogs on leads welcome on every step of the Visitor Experience, including in the café and on all guided tours.
All activities included for Visitor Experience ticket holders, normal admission applies. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/giants-causeway to plan your visit.
Carrick-a-Rede, County Antrim
At Carrick-a-Rede, visitors with a fear of heights are often scared of the rope bridge, but this Halloween we are taking the frights to a whole new level! Terrifying Twilight Tales is a night-time event, recommended for visitors aged 9 and over. Terrifying tales will include the Black Nun of Bonamargy Friary, The Banshee of Benbane Head and Fhir Leith (The Greyman's Path).
This event will take place in the dark, with visitors encouraged to bring torches and clothing suitable for the weather on the night. Cost: £5 adults, £3 child and includes storytelling walk and Halloween treats for everyone.
Booking essential. Visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/carrick-a-rede for more information.
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Carve out some frightfully fun things to see and do and experience a whole world of adventure at National Trust places near you this Halloween.
Spooktacular tales and scary trails await brave families this Hallowe’en at National Trust places across Northern Ireland. Keep an eye out for sinister scarecrows at Florence Court’s Harvest Festival of Colour or settle in for spooky storytelling at Mount Stewart. Help keep the Halloween half-term horrors at bay by enjoying a Dark Shore Carriage Ride at Castle Ward, and potion and broomstick making at Springhill. With a variety of activities on offer including spooky fun and thrilling adventures for all the family, be prepared for a terror-ific time. Every spooktacular day out with the National Trust helps care for special places now and for Halloweens to come.
More information here
Halloween at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 October 2023
Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is gearing up for a spooktacular Halloween this October, with a thrilling after-hours family trail inspired by the Grimm Fairy Tales, as well as its popular annual Scarecrow Parade.
Each evening from Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 October visitors are invited to step out onto the Halloween trail, where they will encounter chilling characters haunting the 100 acre gardens.
For more information click here
The Enchanted House of Puppetry makes a welcome return to Ards Arts Centre in Newtownards this Halloween when the historical building will once again be transformed into a puppet wonderland! The Enchanted House of Puppetry takes place from 29 – 30 October in Ards Arts Centre, Conway Square, Newtownards. To view the full programme and to book tickets, go to: https://puppetfestival.andculture.org.uk/whats-on
Halloween Afternoon Tea at the Game Of Thrones Studio Tour
Dine like a King or Queen
Saturday 14 October – Tuesday 31 October
Pre-book your Halloween Afternoon Tea with themed foods such as Kings Rocky Road, Hot Pie’s Sausage Rolls, Chocolate Crunch Dragon Eggs, High Garden Sandwich Selection and more.
Cost: £25pp*
*All Afternoon Tea must be booked in advance of visit
Experience a traditional Halloween
Discover the origins of the spookiest time of year at the Ulster Folk Museum this Halloween. You can experience it from Saturday 28th October to Tuesday 31st October. Get hands-on at Hallowe'en craft stations, explore exhibit buildings and watch eerie NI Screen Archives in the Picture House.
Find out more, and book here → https://www.ulsterfolkmuseum.org/whats-on/halloween
Pumpkin Patch Extravaganza at Crumlin Road Gaol
What better setting for your annual Halloween Experience than a spooky haunted prison! The Halloween Extravaganza includes the Spooktacular Jail Tour and the main attraction – The Pumpkin Patch!
Book here
Halloween Gruffalo Trail at Colin Glen
Visit Ireland’s only official Gruffalo Trail to experience this Julia Donaldson-endorsed guided walk with a Halloween twist!
Hear the story of The Gruffalo before heading outdoors for a guided walk through the deep dark wood to meet your favourite characters and even stop by the pumpkin patch, where you’ll pick out your very own pumpkin to carve and take home!
Every weekend 21-31 Oct
Book here
A spooktacular Halloween experience at Montalto.
The Carriage Rooms plays backdrop to an enchanted family day out this Halloween, as you walk in the steps of the Witch wanders.
Pick your own estate-grown pumpkin from the dedicated patch, and become bewitched with storytelling, carving, workshops and inflatables.
Fri 27th - Tues 31st Oct
Book HERE
Footsteps in the Forest
This event is making a spooktacular return to Slieve Gullion Forest Park this Halloween between Wednesday 25 and Monday 30 October.
Visitors will go along a self-guided, illuminated trail that will take them on the journey from the origins of Samhain to modern day Halloween. To bring a mystical quality to the experience, the event will be held in the evening enthralling and capturing the imaginations of all ages.
Tickets available from 9 Oct here.
Eek! Week at Castle Espie
Are you brave enough to explore the interactive trail?
Discover an eek!citing and mysterious world of wetland nature this October half term. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears pricked and engage all your senses as you make your way around our wetlands for a truly eek!citing experience.
More here
W5’s Monster Lab
Prepare to be spellbound with W5's Monster Lab this Halloween.
Get involved in some gruesome guessing as to what is contained within the frightful feely boxes and be mesmerised with spooky Halloween shows.
Selected dates from 7 October - 5 November.
Monster Lab is FREE with general admission to W5. Find out MORE: http://bit.ly/W5-MonsterLab
Annual Féile Lantern Parade & Fireworks Display
Friday 27th October
6-7pm - Parade assembly at Spórtlann na hÉireann
7pm - Halloween parade leaves for Falls Park for massive fireworks display
Car parking is available at both The Park Centre and Kennedy Centre shopping centres.
]]>Hillsborough Castle and Gardens is gearing up for a spooktacular Halloween this October, with a thrilling after-hours family trail inspired by the Grimm Fairy Tales, as well as its popular annual Scarecrow Parade.
Each evening from Thursday 26 – Sunday 29 October visitors are invited to step out onto the Halloween trail, where they will encounter chilling characters haunting the 100 acre gardens.
Families will have the opportunity to explore the grounds of Hillsborough Castle after dark, where the spirits of characters from the familiar Brothers Grimm Fairy Tales will be brought to life throughout the gardens by local children’s theatre company Cahoots.
As they set out on the trail, visitors will encounter creepy characters throughout the gardens, inspired by Grimm’s Fairy Tales.
From wicked witches to cheeky elves, performances along the trail will enthral and delight children of all ages.
Visitors will also be treated to a live musical performance by the Musicians of Bremen on the South Lawn, playing a concert of jazzy hits in their new scarecrow forms.
Tickets are on sale now, advance booking is required for the evening Halloween trail.
]]>Belfast Zoo has a spooktacular event planned this year! Join them for fiendish fun for all the family this Halloween!
Book your tickets here
]]>This year’s programme is coming down with activities for all ages, from spooky ghost tours, creepy arts and crafts, haunted houses and carnival craic, not to mention an international zombie conference and N. Ireland’s very first attack of the drones!
Central to the programme is:
When you’ve braved the trail, then take to the historic City Walls to find out more about some of the city’s most spine-chilling spots on the Spooky Ghost Tours, running each evening from Thursday October 26th, and right through until Monday evening.
Some fearsome family fun is on the cards, with lots of activities for little terrors throughout the programme.Start the festivities early on Halloween day by joining the Trick or Treat Trail, which ends in the Trick or Treat Disco in the Guildhall from 4pm – 6pm.
For those who take a more academic approach to terror, a Global Zombie Studies Symposium will welcome a mass horde of international zombie scholars to Ulster University’s Derry campus for a deep dive into Zombie culture, a first for the city and the university.
Music lovers will be delighted that there are some ghostly gigs taking place this year, with the After Dark Music Trail, and on Saturday October 28th immerse yourself in the haunting harmonies of the Candlelight Orchestra in the atmospheric setting of St Columb’s Cathedral.
Or dare to enter the Black Hall and discover the evil that lies within, as St Columb’s Hall is taken over by malevolent spirits seeking revenge.
Halloween night itself is a spectacle not to be missed, as thousands of revellers take to the streets for an unforgettable festival finale involving hundreds of local participants. The Carnival Parade is a massive gathering of performers from schools, performing arts groups, community organisations and sports clubs, who have all worked together led by the North West Carnival Initiative, to create a magical display of characters, props and costumes.
The parade weaves its way through the ‘City of Bones’ with its curious cast of Samhain characters casting its spell over the crowds. As the final performers pass by, all eyes will turn to St Columb’s Park across the River Foyle, when the City of Bones morphs into the City of Drones, and for the first time a swarm of 100 drones take to the sky for a thrilling aerial display. When the drones depart it’s time for the skies to ignite, as the traditional fireworks display lights up the river bringing the four-day extravaganza to a spectacular end. Though for many it’s just the start of a great night out at one of the many local venues who will be keeping the party going into the small hours.
The Halloween Festival is led by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism N. Ireland.
You can find the Derry Halloween programme online now at derryhalloween.com or download the Derry Halloween app for all the latest updates.
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