Fabulous Floats and Fantastic Fireworks for Hallowtides, Newcastle

Newcastle is getting ready for one of the biggest and most thrilling nights of the year as Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has just announced its spooky and spectacular Hallowtides event will take place on Thursday 31 October 2019. 

Adding to the atmosphere and building suspense before the arrival of the Hallowtides Street Parade will be Cool FM’s Pete Snodden at the Festival Stage. Pete will be surrounded by street entertainers, music and mayhem as he builds the creepy craic with giveaways and announces the winners of the Hallowtides Fancy Dress Competition.  This competition is open to all, judged in the following age groups 0-12 years, 12 to 18 years, and 18+ and there are hundreds of pounds to be won. Those taking part are asked to register in the Newcastle Centre from 4pm – 5.30pm with the Competition commencing at the Cone of Light Public Art, beside the Festival Stage at 6pm.

The Newcastle Chamber of Commerce is again taking the helm in the organisation of the Street Parade and the night’s entertainment.  This year’s floats feature a range of participants from the local area, including schools, pipe bands, community groups and clubs, all eager to win the great prizes on offer. The Street Parade will leave from the grounds of the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa, Newcastle at 7pm and will make its way down Main Street to the Festival Stage.

Newcastle Artisan Twilight Market joins in the fun this year again. Located outside the Newcastle Centre, the Market will showcase a great range of delicious local foods and handmade crafts. The Market also features live music, free arts and crafts, free face painting and an exciting treasure hunt throughout the town. It’s a fun-packed day for all the event goers from 2pm onwards.

Newry, Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Charlie Casey commented, “Newcastle Chamber of Commerce has once again fully embraced the spirit of Halloween, and the numbers attending this event increase year on year.  From the traders who creatively dress their premises to the organisation of the Street Parade and entertainment by the Chamber; it is great to see the whole town coming together to prepare for this Festival. Hallowtides is a marvellous family fun event and we encourage everyone to get into the Halloween spirit and make Newcastle your place to be this Halloween.” 

The finale of the Hallowtides Festival this year will be the Fireworks display, it will celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the moon landings, linking the Hallow ‘tides’ of the title with the ocean tides pulled by the moon to the tides lapping the tide-themed parade.  With roman candles rocketing through the sky, like shooting stars, whizzing by in the cosmos to the falling stars and stardust, this will be a fireworks display like Newcastle has never seen before. 

For more details check out our website www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/Hallowtides   Facebook @VisitMourneMountains Twitter @VisitMourne #Hallowtides or call into Newcastle Visitor Information Centre or any of the businesses in Newcastle to pick up a copy of the flyer.