People across Northern Ireland are expected to flock to Londonderry later this month for the 25th Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival – the largest free Halloween festival in Europe.
This year’s four-day event will have a spooky silver theme throughout the celebrations. From October 28 to 31, visitors will be treated to a range of spellbinding, family-friendly activities, including unique outdoor shows, ghostbuster tours and haunted houses, scary storytelling events, face-painting and sports activities .
There will also be outdoor markets, puppet theatre, carving pumpkins and a spectacular carnival parade and fireworks display in the city centre, while on Halloween night itself, music will be provided by ex-Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and her group – Her Majesty And The Wolves.
Hailed as Europe’s biggest outdoor festival, the carnival annually attracts between 30,000 and 40,000 people into the Londonderry/Derry area.
Mayor Maurice Devenney said the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival is a unique event that has grown in popularity over the years.
He added: “It’s a fantastic event for the city and offers everyone an opportunity to enjoy a range of free events to suit every age.”
“A lot of work has been going on behind the scenes putting this year’s programme together with a record number of free events with a family focus appeal and performances by local performers and acts, and local carnival participants.”
“This year’s event promises to be one of our best yet as we prepare for being UK City of Culture in 2013.”