The traditional Celtic festival of Halloween has garnered attention worldwide and is celebrated with zest too. Most celebrated in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada, Derry in Ireland is believed to be an incredible destination in the world to celebrate Halloween. Here is a guide on attending Halloween in Derry, places to eat and stay around, as well as enjoying this spookiest place in Ireland.

Origin Of Halloween In Derry

Starting as a mere fancy dress party in 1985, the event has turned into a massive celebration attracting thousands of visitors worldwide. From vibrant carnival parades, sparkling fireworks, incredible music programs, folklore, traditional food markets, and feasting, Derry’s Halloween is a worth visiting Samhain gathering and Europe’s biggest festival. Also, as per a USA Today Reader’s Poll, Derry is the best destination in the world for beating the Home of Dracula, Transylvania in Romania, and Salem in the United States.

Related: 10 Places Where It Feels Like Halloween All Year-Round

Halloween Events To Attend In Derry

The Halloween festival at Derry turns into a four-day itinerary with plenty of events and a couple of things to do around.

Jungle NI

Jungle NI is Northern Island’s leading outdoor adventure center, which offers plenty of adventures ordinarily but especially; they arrange Halloween events. Around 45 minutes from Derry, this place is easily accessible by bus or car. Start your festival by visiting Jungle NI, which makes you encounter the scariest creatures on the Trail of Terror. This adrenaline-spiking event takes one through haunted woodlands imbued with devilish creatures and ghoulish vibes all along. The journey is armed with special effects, quirky lighting, and terrifying audios and can shake even the most thick-skinned individuals who adore horror.

The Whispering Wharf

Here you will be experiencing Cailleach Queen Of Winter, Goddess of Cold, and winds taking visitors through a narration of ghost stories and Samhain storytelling. Giving the surreal experience of the World Beyond The Walls, this event takes place in the evening from 5 pm to 10 pm.

The City Of Bones

As one heads toward Guildhall Square and The Diamond, they will witness Walter de Burgh, as well as his ancestors who are deemed to haunt the Walled City, morphing into the City Of Bones. To bring down this experience to a spine-chilling one, there are installations and guises to shake the sanity.

Related: When It Comes To Seasonal Spooks, These Scary Halloween Events Are Worth Traveling For

Tricks And Treats At Limitless

One can visit the outdoor adventure center at Limitless for the event, Tricks and Treats, where one can search the Petrifying Pumpkin Patch, wear some spooky costumes for fun and win eerie goodies, test one’s Archery skills, practice Wicked Witches Laser Clay Shooting where shooting mysterious characters in laser clays is fun, or go against Zombies, Ghouls and ghosts.

The Awakening & The Forest Of Shadows

This is the event where you are welcomed with dancing flames & seemingly walking in a forest. The mesmerizing yet haunting displays with the phantom of Queen Morrigan are spectral, whereas the shape-shifting creatures are encountered all along the path. It takes around 1 to 1.5 hours for the entire event & the experience begins at St Columb’s Park continuing till Transport Hub.

Experience The Legends & The Lores

If one wishes to experience the legends & the lores of Ireland as well as the ancient Red Branch Knights, the event which takes place at Swan Park Buncrana will fascinate you. The knights marching through Lough Swilly on Halloween night while narrating the stories is a reliving experience for everyone present. The event takes place between 5 pm - 10 pm at Swan Park.

Fireworks Display

The sparkling fireworks display in Derry is a marvelous site to behold in Derry, Ireland. The spectacular fireworks take place on the last day, i.e., 31st of October, where the Halloween Hay Trail, as well as the program of animation and festivities, occur across town.

Places To Eat Around In Derry

Dining Restaurants

There are plenty of restaurants to pick from where the award-winning Grain & Grill Restaurant has stunning views sweeping historical City walls with the finest cuisine, Mekong Street Food is known for Asian Street Food, and The Everglades Hotel, where one can enjoy Derry Girls-themed Afternoon Tea with sandwiches, pastries, and fluffy scones, Mandarin Palace known for its Euro Asian decor, The White Horse Hotel Bar & Restaurant prominent for European À la carte and various tea menus, Castle Street Social, a casual dining restaurant, Timberquay known for its serene riverfront setting.

Pubs In Derry

Derry has a reputation for owning traditional as well as modern clubs with Irish music & its lively, vibrant nature. Rosie Joes, Derry is a live music venue, Guildhall Taphouse has a traditional ambiance albeit modern vibes, Silver Street (River Inn) is Derry’s oldest pub, Peadar O’ Donnels is the home of live traditional and contemporary music, Dungloe Bar is the heart of Waterloo Street & best known for music and food.

Cafes In Derry

Derry is well dotted with ample cafes such as Soda & Starch in the heart of the Craft village serving breakfast, lunch, or dinner, Doherty’s Home Bakery known for the best of bread, buns, and cakes, Maiden Heaven, a coffee shop as well as an ice cream parlor, The Scullery Cafe, an artisan bakery coffee house, Primrose on the Quay running along riverside along with delightful food, Guild Cafe at the iconic Guildhall overlooking the Peace Bridge are few options to pick from.

Accommodation At Derry

The town of Derry has plenty of accommodation options for varied budgets. Hotels, BnBs, Guesthouses, Hostels, Self Catering, Camping and Caravans, Campus accommodation, and so much more. Waterfoot Hotel in Londonderry, Lake of Shadows in Buncrana, Holiday Inn Express Derry, Shipquay Hotel, and Everglades Hotel are a few options for the hotel. For Hostels, there are options such as Derry Hostel, St. Columb’s Park House, and Tullyarvan Mill Hostel, whereas Elaghvale, The Saddler’s House, Amore B&B, Groarty Manor, and Cathedral View are a few worth considering B&B options.