Everything worth getting out for across Northern Ireland this weekend — 24 events on Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October. This page rebuilds every hour, so it is current.
Best first, not soonest first. These are ranked by how much of a moment they actually are — one-off festivals, markets and shows come above things that happen to be open anyway.
Spread across the country on purpose. We cap how many listings any one town can take, so this is not just twenty things in Belfast. If nothing here is near you, the map will find what is.
Always check the organiser’s page before you travel. We list what has been published, but times change, tickets sell out and outdoor events get cancelled for weather. Every listing links straight to the source.
Free is marked. Anything showing “Free” costs nothing to attend. Northern Ireland has a lot of these — markets, trails, park events and council days out — and they are usually the best of a weekend with children.
1
City of Derry International Choir Festival 2026
Newmarket Street, Londonderry · On now, until Sun 25 Oct
The City of Derry International Choir Festival returns in October 2026 with a tidal wave of magical choral music! Welcoming participants and audiences from across Ireland, the UK and around the world, the festival transforms Derry~Londonderry into a…
Montalto Estate, Ballynahinch · On now, until Fri 30 Oct
Embark on the Trail of Tiny Terrors this Halloween at Montalto. Something strange is happening at Montalto Estate ... the moon has vanished from the night sky! Set off on a magical quest through mysterious realms and whispering woods, where you'll…
Belfast Giants Halloween Game Night v Glasgow Clan at The O2 Belfast on Sunday 25 October: fancy dress prizes, Halloween tunes, SOTB raffle and tickets.
Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Killeavy · On now, until Tue 27 Oct
Footsteps in the Forest is set against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Slieve Gullion. Footsteps in the Forest brings to life one of Ireland’s most storied landscapes, steeped in myths of giants, fairies, and ancient warriors. Whether you’re…
The Jungle NI, Moneymore · Sat 24 Oct & Sun 25 Oct
This October, The Jungle comes alive with spooky magic and autumn mischief for Northern Ireland's ultimate family Halloween day out. From pumpkin picking to spooky stories and adventure activities, Hallowee'uns has it all!
Seamus Heaney HomePlace, Bellaghy · Sat 24 Oct, 14:00
A relaxed poetry book club at Seamus Heaney HomePlace in Bellaghy, hosted by poet Niamh McNally, for anyone who wants to read more contemporary Irish poetry but isn't sure where to start. Niamh talks the group through the themes and techniques in collections by established and emerging poets: 'Elsa and the Wolfman' by Eoghan Walls on Saturday 26 September and 'The Thirteenth Moon' by Moyra Donaldson on Saturday 24 October. You can buy the collections to read before each session, which makes it best suited to adults and older teens rather than young children.
Bangor Castle Walled Garden, Castle Park, Bangor · On now, until Sun 1 Nov
A free family Halloween trail with a pumpkin patch, spooky tunnels, a photo spot and a sweet treat, open 10am to 4pm daily with last entry at 3:30pm. No booking is required, fancy dress is encouraged, and the site is wheelchair and pram accessible.
Ttianic Befast, Belfast · Sat 24 Oct & Sun 25 Oct, 10:00
Local food producers, street food, bakers and craft makers fill the hall, with live music through the day. A quiet hour runs from 9am to 10am. On every Saturday, 9am to 3pm.
Batty About Bats, Castlewellan Forest Park | Forest Activities
Castlewellan Forest Park · Sat 24 Oct
Discover the fascinating world of bats! Explore their nocturnal world with crafts, interactive trails, and engaging activities perfect for curious families.
Causeway Speciality Market is a bustling artisan food, craft & art market held twice monthly in Coleraine town centre - established in 2006, it has grown to be the largest regular Northern Ireland outdoor market of artisan goods.
Little Spooks and Storybooks Festival: Can You Dig It? — Rathcoole Library
Rathcoole Library, Antrim · Sat 24 Oct, 10:00
Rathcoole Library will be welcoming John from JJ’s Fossils Exhibitions. Explore the past at this interactive event and view an array of fossils. Even some Dinosaur Poo!Little Spooks and Storybooks is an autumn festival for all ages, celebrating stories, imagination, and creative fun. Ask a member of staff for more information on what is planned for the two weeks of the festival. There is something for everyone.Children under 8 must be accompanied by an adult.Booking Essential Ask staff for detailst: 028 9085 1157e: [email protected]
Halloween at W5 is a seasonal family event at W5, Belfast's interactive science centre, running from 17 October to 1 November 2026. The page doesn't give details of the Halloween activities, but W5 has over 250 hands-on exhibits across eight zones, including The Lost Planet, a play zone for 3–11 year olds. Pre-booking is essential, and last admission is 2 hours before closing.
Florence Court, Enniskillen · On now, until Fri 30 Oct, 14:00
A guided walk around the working buildings of the Florence Court estate, starting at the Cattle Yard and taking in the Forge, Laundry Yard, Carpenter's shop and the water-powered sawmill that once produced timber for the estate. The route is 500 metres (0.31 miles), lasts an hour, and includes cobblestones and gravel sections, though it is listed as an accessible route. You meet at the Stewart office next to the Cattle Yard, and the page advises dressing for the weather.
The Braid Arts Centre, Ballymena · Sat 24 Oct, 20:00
Celebrate 50 years of Dancing Queen with The Bjorn Identity - a Tribute to ABBA Europe’s most authentic live ABBA show, marking the legacy of ABBA’s greatest song – Dancing Queen! See more Ballymena
Join Martin Doyle as he reflects with Martina Devlin on decades of conversations with acclaimed authors, the evolution of Irish writing, and stories behind some of its most celebrated books.
A hands-on block printing workshop in Armagh led by artist and printmaker Tina McGleenan, running on 22nd, 23rd and 24th October from 11.30am to 2pm. Participants explore the fundamentals of block printing and experiment with a range of wooden and foam blocks. The page doesn't say what ages it suits, and spaces are limited.
Ballycastle Autumn Makers Market at the Marine Hotel
Marine Hotel, Ballycastle · Sun 25 Oct
Located inside the Marine Hotel this Easter Monday, browse a range of speciality food, local art and craft and the Naturally North Coast and Glens Market.
Always a festival favourite and a sell-out event annually, the Oak Tree of Derry International Competition is the jewel in the crown of the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
The Junction Retail and Leisure Park, Antrim · Sat 24 Oct & Sun 25 Oct, 12:00
This Halloween, The Junction Antrim is opening the doors to a very special Academy… and we’re looking for our newest apprentice witches and wizards! 🪄 Join us for a spellbinding 45-minute LIVE interactive family show packed with magical mayhem! 🔮Learn your spells 🧪Make magical potions 🧹Master your broomstick training 🎃Take part in games and challenges 💃Dance, laugh and join in the fun ✨ And help our Wizards & Witches SAVE THE ACADEMY! This isn’t just a show to sit and watch - YOU become part of the adventure! 📅SATURDAY 24TH OCTOBER - 12pm & 2pm📅SUNDAY 25TH OCTOBER - 1pm & 3pm📍The Junction Retail & Leisure Park, Antrim Perfect for little witches, wizards and Halloween fans of all ages — spooky enough for Halloween, but with plenty of laughs and family fun! 🎃 🎟️TICKETS ON SALE NOW! - Both Children & Adults require a ticket to this event. ⚡ Places at the Academy are limited, so B
Grab the family, choose your screening and round off Coleraine's month of brick-building fun with a trip to the movies!Enjoy a FREE family screening of The LEGO® Movie at Coleraine Town Hall on Saturday 24 October, as part of The Great Coleraine…
This page lists 24 events happening on Saturday 24 October and Sunday 25 October across Northern Ireland, ranked best first. It is rebuilt every hour from our live events feed, so it reflects what has been published right now.
Are there free things on this weekend?
Yes — 4 of the events listed here are free to attend. Free events are marked with the word “Free” on the ticket line.
How often is this page updated?
Every hour. The site rebuilds itself from our live events feed on an hourly schedule, so new listings appear and finished ones drop off without anyone having to edit the page.
What if nothing here is near me?
Use the map — it has around 2,000 family days out across Northern Ireland with a near-me search, so you can find something close even on a weekend with nothing big on locally.
Not sure where to start?
Pick your weekend in one line
Weather looking bad? See the best rainy-day days out — museums, soft play, pools and indoor adventure across NI.
Spending nothing? Anything marked Free above, plus fifty more free days out that run all year round.
Looking further ahead? Browse all our Northern Ireland guides. Everything here comes from our live events feed. About 2,000 more family days out across Northern Ireland are on our free map, with full guides and what’s on near you.
