Derry Halloween Festival reawakens the walled city this October

Home to Europe’s largest Halloween Festival 🎃👻😈

Launching this year’s event is fun-loving skeleton, Walter De Burgh, who is depicted on the city Coat of Arms, and visitors can expect to encounter him during the 3-day event. For more information on Derry’s Halloween ‘Awakening the Walled City’ celebrations, head to derryhalloween.com
Author: Emma DicksonPublished 18th Oct 2021

Derry/Londonderry is a city renowned worldwide for its spectacular Halloween displays and exciting array of activities for all the family.

Covid-19 may have hit pause on this year’s traditional Halloween parade, but there’s still a busy calendar of things to look forward to at Derry’s Spook’tacular Halloween extravaganza.

“Recognised as the best Halloween destination in the world, Derry Halloween is a shared celebration of wonder and folklore where the unbelievable seems believable for a few enchanted days and nights,” said Odhran Dunne from Visit Derry.

“Not only are they guaranteed the famous Derry warm welcome, but they will also enjoy the vibrant atmosphere, the tastes and smells of the LegenDerry food scene and the opportunity to immerse themselves in our rich cultural heritage. There’s something to do for the whole family.

Entitled ‘Awakening the Walled City’, the Halloween celebrations will see an array of unforgettable sights, characters, and digital wonders take place at key locations from Friday 29th until Sunday 31st of October, between 5pm and 10pm.

Highlights of Derry Halloween will include several illuminated worlds spread across the city along with Ireland’s first ever digital LED installation. This bespoke 360-degree structure uses film, animation, and special effects to create a spectacular lightshow that will enchant audiences with its striking visual display.

The city will play host to several fantastical and adventurous illuminated worlds, each with its own programme of activity featuring a range of installations, large scale inflatables, aerial acrobatics, dancing flames, displays and animation.

Worlds One, Two and Three are in Derry City itself, while World Four is in neighbouring Strabane town centre and World Five in Buncrana, Donegal.

Derry City and Strabane District Council have plans in place to ensure this year’s Halloween celebrations are Covid-safe. Lots of open spaces allow for social distancing, enabling visitors to enjoy experiences at their leisure. There will also be one-way systems in place across the city and hand sanitation stations available.

One thing the city residents, and visitors, do incredibly well every Halloween is dress to impress! Organisers are hoping that everyone gets into the spirit of Derry Halloween - mums, dads, the kids, friends and even the dog – and wears their funniest or scariest costumes.

If you're in need of some Halloween costume inspo, we've got you covered!

Check out 2021's most trending costumes 👇

Squid Game Contestant

Talk about a comfy costume - step up your leisure look with a vibrant green and white striped tracksuit. This is something you can create yourself, or simply buy online.

Squid Game Guard

If you fancy being the bad guy this year, a guard or even the 'Front Man' from Squid Game is also expected to be a popular choice this year

The Duchess of Hastings from Bridgerton

This is surely to be the most eloquent and desirable for young couple's this season 🥰 Couple's everywhere will be searching for bonnets, lace gloves, and extravagant feather headpieces.

The Duke of Hastings from Bridgerton

We can't forget the Duke of course, complete with high collared shirt, riding boots and tailed coat 👌

Estella aka Cruella

Emma Stone was transformed into the dognapping fashionista Cruella De Vil - and boy did Disney give us some incredible looks. There's nothing a little hairspray and eyeshadow can't do to help replicate this look.

US Open Champion Emma Radacanu

Emma Raducanu's £110 red and blue Nike skirt and top sold out in almost EVERY size online after the tennis star's US Open triumph. When people think of Emma, they automatically think of this bold red, blue and yellow number, so it's an obvious choice for inspo.

Joe Exotic aka Tiger King

Joe Exotic will perhaps go down as one of the best halloween costumes EVER! Don't forget to complete the look with a pet tiger...a toy one of course!

Carole Baskin of Tiger King

Where Joe Exotic goes, Carole Baskin must follow. All you need is some form of leopard print fabric and a flower crown, you're sorted!

The cast of The Masked Singer

For something that little bit different, ITV's The Masked Singer has given us some incredible characters to choose from this year. From the robin to the sausage...the best part is trying to figure out who's behind the mask 🤣A little paper mache and paint - job done!

The cast of Money Heist

Looking for a group costume idea - this would be perfect! A red boiler suit, sinister mask and a little dirt to grub it all up. Perfect.

Beth Harmon from The Queens Gambit

For this chic 60s look, all you need is a modest dress, red lip and even quirkier red wig. Swap a handbag for a travel chess set and you're ready to party!

The cast of Derry Girls

Nothing screams DIY Halloween costume, like a simple school uniform. If you've got a green skirt or jumper in the back of the wardrobe, even better, just say you're part of the Derry Girls.

DS Steve Arnott from Line of Duty

Police Lanyard ✅
Navy Suit ✅
Waistcoat ✅
So easy!

Superintendent Ted Hastings from Line of Duty

We couldn't forget about local legend Ted Hastings! Always on the hunt for 'bent coppers' Ted's look is a classic white shirt, black tie and trousers, police lanyard and badges.

A handmaid from The Handmaid's Tale

One of the most bizarre dystopian TV shows, The Handmaid's Tale offers a handful of looks. From red capes and white caps to the all-black tuxedos and teal green dresses.

Cassie from Promising Young Woman

If you've seen this Oscar-winning film, then you know exactly what this look is! Transform the typical nurse's costume, with a little help from a rainbow wig and broken heart necklace!

2021's Gossip Girl cast

Just when we thought the OG Gossip Girl wardrobe couldn't get any cooler, these guys show up and WOW! This new batch of Upper East Siders really knows how to dress - just have fun with it!

Olivia Rodrigo in her 'Good 4 U' music video

Another twist of the classic Halloween costume - a baby blue cheerleader's look with black latex gloves.

The Pogues from Outer Banks

Another fun group costume, that works for both guys and girls! The pogues might not be known for their fashion like the cast of Gossip Girl, but they're still killing it. Just think grubby beach vibes, and don't forget ribbed crop tops and bandanas too.

Harry Styles at The Grammy's

Harry Styles can pull off any look, but that's not to say some are definitely on the stranger side. You can't really wear a feather boa to the shops when you've run out of milk, can you? It's perfect for this time of year though!

Kim Kardashian West at the 2021 Met Gala

We've no doubt, that perhaps one of the most popular looks this Halloween will be Kim Kardashian West's shocking Balenciaga all-in-one gown for this year's iconic Met Gala.

Read more:

Spooky Halloween events you don't want to miss this October across NI

NI pumpkin patches perfect for a family day out

21 viral halloween costumes to wear in 2021

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