Halloween Happenings returns for spooky fun across Causeway Coast and Glens
Fri, October 13, 2023
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 fireworks display 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 the University of Ulster 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.”
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
