Spooky season is officially here and residents in Causeway Coast and Glens can expect some frightfully fun activities as ‘Halloween Happenings’ arrives in towns across the Borough – including a brand-new venue in Coleraine.
From fancy dress parades and Halloween parties, to live music and entertainment, there's something for everyone to enjoy this Halloween in Coleraine, Limavady, Ballycastle and Ballymoney.
The festivities will be kicking off on Friday, October 27 in Coleraine and Council is excited to reveal that, for the first time, the Halloween Happenings will be taking place at the Ulster University campus.
Featuring live music from The Dandy Lyons starting at 6.30pm, visitors can enjoy an array of entertainment and activities including fire poi, balloon modelling, Binevenagh Adventures bushcraft, amusements, and even a spooky trail. The evening will culminate with fantastic fireworksdisplay at 8.30pm.
There will be free parking at Ulster University and a free park and ride bus service will also operate from The Mall car park, starting from 6pm. Please note normal town centre car parking charges will apply up until 6.30pm.
Next stop will be Limavady on Saturday, October 28. Starting with a Halloween party at Limavady Community Development Initiative from 4pm to 5.30pm, followed by a community parade to Roemill Recreation Grounds. Enjoy live music with CJ Entertainments from 6.30pm and don’t miss the fancy dress competition at 7.30pm. Visitors can also get crafty with Binevenagh Adventures bushcraft and North Coast Circus Skills. Make sure to watch out for creepy stilt walkers, flaming fire poi and the segway vampire, before the fireworks get underway at 8.30pm.
On round the coast to Ballycastle we go on Monday, October 30. The ever-popular Halloween parade sets off at 6.30pm from Dalriada Hospital Lower car park, making its way through the town to the seafront. A fancy-dress competition will be held at 6.15pm prior to the parade leaving. Once at the seafront, visitors should be on the lookout for stilt walkers, fire poi, a slime workshop and balloon modelers. Live Music by the All Stars will get the crowds amped up from 7pm, ahead of the spectacular fireworks at 8.30pm.
The finale of the Halloween Happenings will be in Ballymoney on Tuesday, October 31. The fancy dress parade will assemble at Castlecroft Square from 6pm, with the Halloween costume competition taking place at 6.15pm prior to parade leaving at 6.30pm. From here, the parade will make its way to Ballymoney Showgrounds, where magician Rodd Hogg will be on hand to amaze with his mystical abilities.
Be entertained by CJ Entertainments followed by live music from The Grooverobbers and take in the wide array of entertainment including glow hula hoops, glow juggling unicyclist, Binevenagh Adventure bushcraft, the segway vampire, stilt walkers and more, ahead of the fireworks finale at 8.30pm.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Steven Callaghan said:
“Halloween Happenings is one of the highlights of Council’s events calendar and I look forward to welcoming all our residents and visitors to the activities across the Borough. These family-friendly events provide a spooktacular evening of free entertainment for all, capped off with not-to-be-missed fireworks displays which will light up the skies in Coleraine, Limavady, Ballycastle and Ballymoney.
“I am delighted that Council has come together with Ulster University to provide the 2023 Halloween entertainment and fireworks display in Coleraine. The site provides a fantastic venue for this event, offering ample car parking with over 1,500 parking spaces, as well as facilities for accommodating a free park and ride service from the town centre to the campus. On behalf of Council, I wish to thank the University for allowing us to hold this hugely popular event at their Coleraine campus.”
Professor Malachy O’Neill, Director of Regional Engagement, Ulster University added:
“We are thrilled to be hosting the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council Halloween Happenings this year, for the first time ever at our Ulster University Coleraine campus.
“Ulster University has been part of the community here since 1968 and we’re looking forward to welcoming more people onto the Coleraine campus to enjoy an evening of family fun with entertainment, amusements and a spectacular fireworks display to celebrate Halloween.”
Ahead of each of the main events, quiet time for children with additional needs will take place from 5.30pm – 6.30pm.
A limited number of disabled parking is pre-bookable and you can reserve a space by contacting the Ballymoney Visitor Information Centre on 028 2766 0230.
Council’s new Mobile Accessible Changing Units will also be available at each of these events. Designed to ‘Changing Places’ standards, these vehicles help to make events more accessible, welcoming and inclusive for people with additional needs.
For the latest updates, make sure to follow Causeway Coast and Glens Events on Facebook or go to www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com
Other Ulster University Mysterious Halloween Festivities
Coleraine campus
Step back in time to the early 1700s and immerse yourself in the captivating world of the Islandmagee witch trials. Join us for a spellbinding one-act play written in 1948, the ‘Witches in Eden’ by Olga Fielden, produced and performed by staff and students at Ulster University from Arts, Drama, History, and Music. A production to transport you to the bygone area as we reenact the chilling events that led to the trial and conviction of eight women and one man for practicing witchcraft. And we explore Andrew Ferguson’s investigation, ‘Justice of the Peace’, as it delves into Mary Dunbar’s allegation of witchcraft. Join us on Friday 27 October and Saturday 28 October at 8pm, the Riverside Theatre at Ulster University Coleraine where this tale will come to life. Tickets are available for £15, book here https://www.ulster.ac.uk/halloween
Enchanted by this fascinating story of the last witch trial in Ireland? Then explore a series of free bewitching exhibitions this Autumn through projects, events, workshops, and virtual reality experiences at the Island Magee Witches Museum Exhibition, Carrickfergus Museum until 16 November, open Monday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm each day. The exhibition is free, and no booking is required.
For some family fun, come join Mr Hullabaloo the Magical Storyteller and friends on the Fairytale Farm for an exciting Autumn Adventure. From baking bread with Dotty the Cook, to visiting the magical pumpkin patch of Hideaway Hollow. This show is full of magical moments and troublesome tricks, especially with the naughty little witch Troubleena and Mischief the Cat around. Join us at Riverside Theatre, Ulster University Coleraine on Saturday 21 October at 4pm. Tickets are £8, book here https://www.ulster.ac.uk/halloween
Derry~Londonderry campus
Ulster University Drama students present “The Final Countdown” at Derry Halloween as part of Europe’s biggest Halloween festival which attracts over 100,000 revelers from around the world. For three nights the spirits arise to join the Awakening the Walled City Trail, a magical journey through the City of Bones where visitors will encounter weird and wonderful characters who bring Halloween to life. United in their belief that the world is about to end, a group of visionaries will descend upon the city’s streets to warn off any potential demons and monsters. Watch as the groups battle it out to interpret the supernatural signs before the countdown ends. Don't miss this apocalyptic showdown with performances across Saturday 28, Sunday 29 and Monday 30 October each evening between 6pm – 9pm in Artillery Street, within the city walls.
Or if you’re just dying to learn more about zombies and the world of the living dead, join us for this year’s Global Zombie Studies Symposium, hosted at Ulster University Derry~Lononderry campus. The Symposium brings together academics for two days, Monday 30 and Tuesday 31 October, from all over the world researching the many fascinating facets of Zombie Culture, to share their studies with like-minded Zombie fanatics. Registration is free and everyone is welcome.
Belfast campus
Enjoy Halloween movie night in the Students Union Bar. Movie options will be available in the bar so students can vote for the movie they want to watch. Come along early to get a seat and enjoy with a selection of food and drink deals including sweets and popcorn available.
Throughout the Halloween week, kicking off on Monday 23 October, Ulster University students can enjoy a frightful series of events across all campuses including Halloween movie night, pumpkin carving, creepy creatures, Halloween pub quiz, and Bangers bingo. Check them out on https://www.ulster.ac.uk/halloween