Newry, Mourne and Down to Celebrate a Ghoulish Halloween

From haunted tours to ghostly storytelling, there's something for everyone to enjoy this Halloween across Newry, Mourne and Down.

 

Residents will have their pick of spooktacular Halloween events happening in all corners of our newly designated UNESCO Geopark, organised by both the Council and local community organisations.

 

The hottest event of the season, Footsteps in the Forest in Slieve Gullion Forest Park, is now fully booked. Every year it provides the perfect opportunity to experience the park's hauntingly beautiful landscape while enjoying some festive Halloween fun. Visitors will go along illuminated trails that will take them on a journey tracing the origins of Samhain to modern day Halloween. The mystical experience will be held each evening between Monday 21 – Tuesday 29 October, enthralling and capturing the imaginations of all ages.

 

Anyone looking for a scary seaside adventure should make their way to Newcastle for Hallow Scream on Sunday 27 October. The event will run from 3pm to 8pm with a spooktacular entertainment, music, food, and fireworks.

 

Halloween in Newry City on Thursday 31 October promises to be a spine-tingling delight, bringing the city’s streets to life in the darkness. With Halloween Children’s Craft Cave at Newry Variety Market and a family-friendly street carnival in Marcus Square, it will be a night for all to enjoy.

 

Earlier in the day, on Thursday 31 October, little trick-or-treaters can take part in a Halloween storytelling event in Newry and Mourne Museum. The storytelling sessions take place at 11:30am and 1:30pm and will be sure to get the whole family in the spooky spirit. 

 

Warrenpoint fireworks display will take place on Thursday 31 October at 7pm. A glittering fireworks display will shoot over Carlingford Lough. A wonderful way to enjoy your Halloween night and even better if you have a hot chocolate in hand. 

  

Halloween night entertainment will kick off in Market Square in Ballynahinch on Thursday 31 October from 6pm to 9pm. The Market Square will be filled with stalls, street entertainers, a fun fair and lots more!

 

Spooktastic Downpatrick will take place in venues and outdoor spaces across the town on Halloween Night. You can dial up or dial down the scary with activities such as arts and crafts, bonfires, storytelling, a spooky trail, and a fancy-dress parade. For those that really like to feel the fear, there will be a free family friendly ghost tour, ‘Return of High Sheriff Ward’, departing from Down County Museum. The annual Halloween fireworks display taking place at 8pm is sure to dazzle the crowds.

 

A Halloween festival will take place on Thursday 31 October in Crossmaglen, with plenty of family-friendly activities happening in Crossmaglen Square from 1pm and a finale fireworks display later in the evening which can be viewed from Crossmaglen Rangers.   

 

Kilkeel will host a spectacular fireworks display on Friday 1 November at 7:30pm to 8pm at Mourne Esplanade. Visit the Traders Market in at the Bowling Pavilion, catch firebreather performances from 6pm to 8pm and round off the eerie evening by watching the fireworks light up the night sky. 

 

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “We are excited to be part of a wide range of Halloween activities taking place across the District. There is truly something for everyone happening throughout the week and on Halloween night itself. From fireworks to fancy dress, street entertainment and spooky storytelling, people are sure to find something they will enjoy and maybe get a few scares along the way.”

 

Families and children of all ages can find something to amaze them this Halloween in Newry, Mourne and Down. To find a full list of all that’s happening make sure to check the Visit Mourne Mountains Halloween page: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/blog/read/2024/10/halloween-events-b227