Northern Ireland does Halloween better than almost anywhere — Derry's festival is the biggest in Europe. Here are ten of the best family days out, from cute-spooky to a proper good fright.
Know the scare level — we've flagged each one from gentle (toddler pumpkin trails and friendly ghosts) up to a proper fright (woodland scare farms for brave teens). Match it to your youngest and bravest, and nobody goes home in tears.
Book ahead — October sells out. The big ticketed events and half-term slots go weeks in advance. Book the moment tickets open rather than turning up on spec, especially for the last weekend before Halloween.
Dress for the dark and the cold. Most of these are outdoors after dusk on estate or farm ground — warm coats, wellies, gloves and a torch. Costumes are welcome at nearly all of them, and half the fun.
Two of these are ours to explore in depth — we've full separate guides to Derry Halloween and the pumpkin patches, linked below, with dates, prices and the local know-how.
When — the season really runs the last two weeks of October, peaking over half-term and the nights right up to the 31st. Midweek is quieter than the big Saturday nights if you've little ones.
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Derry Halloween — Banks of the Foyle
Derry~Londonderry · late October · mostly free
The big one — voted the biggest Halloween celebration in Europe, and the reason Northern Ireland is a Halloween destination at all. For a week the whole walled city becomes a carnival: a huge costumed parade, a fireworks display over the Foyle, haunted ghost tours, street theatre, a lantern-lit trail around the city walls and a giant family Samhain party. Most of it is free and outdoors. If you do one Halloween thing this year, do this.
Late OctoberFamily carnival · gentleFree but very busy — plan parking & arrive early
Belfast's big Halloween night — the Monster Mash carnival on the Titanic Slipways, with a huge fireworks display over the water, live music, a funfair and thousands of costumed families. It's the city's answer to Derry: loud, bright and completely free to watch the fireworks. A brilliant end to half-term for anyone in and around Belfast.
Around 31 OctFamily carnival · gentleFree fireworks — arrive early for a good spot
Belfast Zoo dresses up for one of the most popular family Halloween days out in the country. Boo at the Zoo brings pumpkin trails, spooky decorations, fancy dress, trick-or-treat stations and Halloween games all set among the animals on the slopes of Cavehill. Gentle, colourful and aimed squarely at younger children, with the whole zoo to explore on top. Tickets sell out over half-term.
October half-termGentle · little onesTimed tickets — sells out over half-term
The Jungle does two Halloweens on one site. For families, Hallowe'uns is a day of pick-your-own pumpkins, a haunted haycart ride, arts and crafts, marshmallow toasting and a spooky ghost trail made for children. For brave teenagers and grown-ups, its after-dark scare experience unleashes a woodland trail and a run of genuinely terrifying scare attractions. Pick the one that suits — and don't mix them up.
OctoberFamily by day · a real fright by nightTwo separate events — check which you're booking
The National Trust's great house on Strangford Lough turns wonderfully atmospheric for half-term, as the fog rolls in and the trees cast long shadows. A family Halloween trail winds deep into the grounds and gardens with spooky surprises, dress-up is encouraged and wellies are a good idea. Suitable for all ages and gently done — the setting does the spooky work. Free entry for Trust members.
October half-termGentle & atmospheric · all agesNT members free · wellies advised
No Halloween is complete without picking your own pumpkin, and NI's farms turn their fields orange every October — The Ark, Streamvale, Mountpanther, Fulton's, Pickie and more, with carving, spooky trails and farm animals thrown in. We've rounded up the ten best pick-your-own patches in one place, with rough prices, booking tips and where to find each.
All OctoberPick your own · gentleWeekend slots sell out — book ahead
The rainy-day winner. W5, Belfast's science and discovery centre, layers Halloween fun over its hundreds of hands-on exhibits — think creepy campfire tales with brilliant special effects, spooky science shows and Halloween trails, all indoors and dry. Perfect for a wet October afternoon and for children who like their scares on the mild, giggly side. Usually included with normal admission.
October half-termIndoor · gentle · rainy-day proofBusy at half-term — book a slot online
Another lovely National Trust option — the beautiful gardens at Rowallane are taken over by strange creatures for half-term, with a haunted trail to follow through the woodland and grounds, activity sheets and gentle spooky surprises for younger explorers. Low on fright, high on autumn colour and fresh air. A calm, wholesome alternative to the big loud events.
October half-termGentle woodland trail · little onesNT members free entry · trail may be extra
A brilliant all-in-one down in Mourne country — Ballyburren's family Halloween blends pumpkin picking, witchy workshops, a spine-tingling scare trail and, yes, an encounter with its infamous zombie alpacas. It shades a bit scarier than the gentle trails, so it's a great fit for primary-age children and up who want a real bit of a thrill. Outdoorsy, hands-on and gloriously different.
OctoberA bit scarier · best for ages 6+Timed sessions — pre-book online
Along the north coast · late October · mostly free
If you're up on the north coast, the whole Causeway Coast and Glens lights up for Halloween — a programme of mostly-free community events across the towns, from lantern parades and pumpkin trails in Coleraine, Ballycastle and Ballymoney to spooky happenings out in the glens. A great way to fill half-term days without spending much, wherever you're based between Portrush and the glens.
Late OctoberCommunity events · gentle · mostly freeProgramme changes yearly — check the town-by-town listings
Toddlers & the easily spooked? Boo at the Zoo, W5, Rowallane and the pumpkin patches — friendly ghosts, no jump-scares.
Want the big free spectacle? Derry Halloween and Belfast's Monster Mash — parades and fireworks, and they cost nothing to watch.
Older kids after a real fright? Ballyburren's scare trail or The Jungle's after-dark scares will give them the shivers they're chasing.
Keep exploring
These Halloween events — and about 2,000 more family days out across Northern Ireland — are on our free map, with full guides, live events and what's-on near you.
