Thrills, Chills, and Crafty Skills: Newry's Halloween Events Set to Amaze

Get ready for a thrilling Halloween adventure on Thursday 31 October, as Newry City gears up to double the fun with two exciting events in one spooktacular evening.

Hosted by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council, this event is sure to be a spine-tingling delight, bringing the city’s streets to life in the darkness. Join us for a Halloween Children’s Craft Cave at Newry Variety Market and a family-friendly street carnival in Marcus Square. It’s sure to be a night of enchantment you won’t want to miss!

Newry Mourne and Down District Council Chairperson, Councillor Pete Byrne said, “Newry Variety Market will continue a tradition dating back to the origins of Halloween itself. Early Halloween practices were not solely focussed on fear but also embraced spiritualism, fortune telling and crafts. The market will be transformed into a Craft Cave with enchanting family workshops reflecting the ongoing evolution of Halloween, blending old world charm with contemporary creativity.

“More Halloween fun can be found in Marcus Square on Hill Street where a family-friendly street carnival, featuring traditional fairground rides and a spooky kids disco, will keep everyone entertained. This is just one of a selection of events happening in all corners the UNESCO designated Geopark, organised by both the Council and local community organisations.”

For families looking for a fun and safe way to celebrate Halloween, the Newry Halloween Street Festival in Marcus Square and Hill Street, from 5pm to 9pm, is the perfect choice. It will feature a family-friendly carnival with traditional fairground rides, ensuring that even the littlest ghosts and goblins can enjoy the fun.

Step into the old Newry Variety Market from 6pm to 9pm for a thrilling array of hands-on Halloween crafts and activities in the Craft Cave, perfect for all ages. Get into the spooky spirit with Friendly Faces' mask-making workshops, or get your face professionally painted where creativity meets the eerie. Local artists from the Ring of Gullion will inspire autumnal charm through their unique print-making sessions, while their Halloween Play and Clay and felt pumpkin crafting let you shape your very own seasonal creations.

Enspire will lead a Halloween treasure hunt alongside wooden decoration workshops, offering handmade touches to your celebrations. Artsekta Arts Collective will be adding a multicultural touch celebrating Halloween across the world. For a truly unique experience, join the Plant and Play workshop or be captivated by an immersive street theatre show from Amadan Theatre, bringing Halloween magic to life in the heart of Newry. All while rocking along to tunes from live band ‘Those Guys’.

To top off the evening, kids of all ages can groove to the beats at the outdoor disco, where the live DJ will spin his tunes and have everyone dancing under the moonlit sky. There will also be a chance to show off your costume with spot prizes to be won on the street.

The Newry Halloween celebrations offer something for everyone and guarantee a memorable evening filled with fun and excitement.