Ultimate NI Halloween half term to-do list

Looking for some family fun this Halloween break then look no further

Pumpkin carving family fun
Author: Elise McClellandPublished 27th Oct 2023
Last updated 27th Oct 2023

With the Halloween break up and coming checkout are list of family friendly and adult events taking place across Northern Ireland to keep you and your family entertained this Halloween break.

Saturday 28th October

Halloween Candy Workshop

This Halloween, make some creepy candy at Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory in Belfast. The workshop lasts around an hour and 15 minutes and everyone participating in the workshop needs a ticket and this experience is best suited for children 6+.

https://www.auntsandras.com/pages/show-workshop-info.php

Spooky Saturday at Dundonald

For a hair raising day of fun, enjoy a day at Dundonald Ice Bowl. You can experience face painting 12 pm – 5 pm, spooky arts and craft 1 pm – 5.15 pm and meet your favourite characters Hulk and Loki 1 pm – 3 pm and the scary Sanderson Sisters 3 pm – 6 pm, as well as a Halloween party on the ice from 11.30 am – 1 pm.

Wear your best fancy dress with the chance to win prizes!

Addams Family Murder Mystery

What are the creepy and the kooky, mysterious, and spooky, all together ooky Addams family up to?

It is up to you to find out!

Take a seat in one of the heritage carriages as you're immersed in a compelling story, leading to a murder!

Led around the site, given mysterious clues before heading back to your carriage. Think about all the clues while enjoying a tasty buffet of cuisine from across the world.

The best sleuths will be awarded a fantastic prize and it is advised that you dress smart/casual or get into the spirit of Halloween.

Check out the link below for more information

Sunday 29th October

Little Princess – ‘Harvest Festival’ + ‘A Merry Little Christmas’

As part of the 34th Cinemagic International Film Festival enjoy a double-episode of Little Princess being shown at Ulster Museum.

This event is suitable for children aged 3+ and a ticket for children under the age of 2 do not require a ticket if they do not need their own seat.

Pottery Painting and Pizza

At Loaf pottery, get creative with pottery painting lessons with a selection of pottery items available. After the painting session you will enjoy a freshly prepared woodfire pizza in the café on site.

The Enchanted House of Puppetry

There will be no ghosts or ghouls at this puppet show. Just the thrills and spills of a circus show and the tale of Snug and Grub Catch a Bug.

Fun for all of the family.

Design your own trick-or-treat bag

At Loaf pottery, you will be provided with everything you need to make a trick-or-treat bag. With the admission of £5, this is a drop-in event so no booking is required.

Stormont Hotel Spooky Sunday Buffet

Sink your fangs into tricks and some treats at the Stormont Hotel. Treated to scary starters, magical mains, and deranged desserts. With some family-friendly entertainment for the afternoon.

Adults are £45, children 6 and over £21 and children 5 and under eat free

Monday 30th October

Come and Try Canoeing or Kayaking at Castlewellan

A fun family-friendly activity to enjoy. Meeting at Castlewellan Lakeside Centre, receiving an introduction to canoeing or kayaking and everything you will need to stay safe and have lots of fun.

Canoeing/ Kayaking at Castlewellan

The Halloween Tree

Screening at Black Box as part of the 34th Cinemagic International Film Festival.

The story by Ray Bradbury will have you on the edge of your seat as a group of young people try to save the spirit of their friend from the ghost of Halloween past.

Tickets are not required for children under the age of 2 who do not need their own seat. All other attendants need a ticket.

Spooktacular Halloween Fun

Get ready to slip and slide into some spooktacular Halloween fun at Lagan Valley Leasure Plex. Book tickets online in advance on the LeisurePlex website for different experiences and sessions.

Spooktacular Halloween fun at Lagan Valley Leasure Plex

Hocus Pocus Screening

Black Box is screening Hocus Pocus at 1 p.m for the 30th Anniversary of the Halloween classic.

Children under the age of 2 do not require a ticket unless they need their own seat.

Tuesday 31st October

Ghostly Spooktacular

Little ghosts and ghouls can create their own colourful costumes, hear some spooky stories and walk in a parade showing off their costiumes making lots of noise with drums at The MAC for children ages 7 – 11. Parents and Guardians can spend time at the CafeBar while children enjoy the workshop

Spooky halloween costumes

Halloween Half Term at Eden

Pottery decorating and painting onto a selection of pre-made pottery items, fun for all the family. Decorating sessions last roughly 90 minutes and the pottery will be collected 7-10 working days after they are glazed, fired and ready for collection.

Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm.

Family fun pottery painting

Room on the Broom

Watch ‘Room on the Broom’ and enjoy some Halloween storytelling with Liz Weir at the Ulster Museum as part of the 34th Cinemagic International Film Festival.

Children 2 and under do not need a ticket unless they will need a seat.

[https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/books-for-children/shortbread-recipe-for-kids-room-on-the-broom ](https://www.panmacmillan.com/blogs/books-for-children/shortbread-recipe-for-kids-room-on-the-broom |nofollow|newtab)

Halloween Chocolate Workshop

At Aunt Sandra’s Candy Factory, take part in all the Halloween fun and get stuck in making Halloween chocolate apples and more to take home.

Best suited for children aged 4+ and anyone taking part must have a ticket.

Aunt Sandras Halloween chocolate candy apples

Autumn Twilight Market

St Georges is back this year with their Twilight Markey from 4 pm – 11 pm. Enjoy some tasty treats from around the world and fantastic cooking and cocktail making demonstrations, and handmade crafts. Children are welcome to join the art and crafts workshops but after 9 pm it is strictly over 18. Free entry to under 16s and £1 entry to adults with 50p being donated to charity.

Häxan with Live Score by Nick Carlisle

Sit back, relax, and enjoy a Halloween screening of the 1922 silent film Häxan with a live performance of the new score by electronic musician Nick Carlisle at the Ulster American Folk Museum.

piano chord sheet

Friar’s Bush Ancient Cemetery at Halloween/Samhain Tour

Explore an ancient Irish graveyard tour at dusk as the darkness of Halloween lurks over your shoulder. Located at the Friar’s Bush Ancient Graveyard, wear walking shoes and watch out for what could be lurking.

Spooky graveyard tours

Wednesday 1st November

MineCoders – The Minecraft and Coding Camp

Take part in the one-day Minecraft Education camp for 9-14 year olds. Explore Minecraft worlds as the W5 team guide you through all the coding tips and tricks, bringing your crafting to the next level. Learning to code your building, work collaboratively and build a world that’s beyond your imagination in Minecraft education.

Explore Minecraft at W5

Hidden Brewery Tours

Within the grounds of Hilden House, enjoy a brewery tour with Hilden’s head brewer to see how they make and package their beer.

After the brewery tour, enjoy a lunch including authentic Irish stew with homemade Irish stout wheaten bread made with Hilden Stout, paired with a flight of their three beers.

Children are welcome but must be closely supervised. Tours for children under 12 are free and over 12s cost £10 including the stew and no beer.

Hidden Brewery Tours

Thursday 2nd November

Big Bauble Showcase

Craft NI Gallery is getting ready for Christmas. Showcasing a variety of beautiful handmade baubles in limited ranges or one-offs. Drop in and allow yourself to be admire and purchase a beautiful gift from the spectacular designs in porcelain, felt, enamel, textiles or handblown glass.

Christmas handmade baubles

Silver Screens Socials: Mama Mia

Immerse yourself in the silver screen socials and enjoy a trip to the Greek island of Kalokairi with the screening of the popular musical Mamma Mia at the Island Arts Centre.

The blue and white houses of the Greek island of Kalokairi

Design your own Hip Flask Night

Dig into your creative side in a lazer-cutting masterclass held by Belfast-based cpmany ‘Scorched Earth’ and get to design your very own hip flask, located at Titanic Distillers.

You will also get a tour of their state-of-the-art distillery and enjoy two delicious smoked whiskey cocktails.

Trad Thursday 2nd November

Head down to the Reporter Bar at 9 pm to be immersed in a trad session on a Thursday night with amazing local musicians and drinks.

Rainbow stringed violin

Friday 3rd November

Belfast Blitz Cathedral Quarter Walking Tour

Following and interactive audio tour, uncover the history of Belfast in 1941 during the Second World War and the legacy of the Belfast Blitz.

Craft Your Own Porcelain Christmas Tree Decorations

At Loaf Pottery, enjoy a festive-filled day creating your own porcelain Christmas tree decoration. Personalise your decorations to make them your own with the decorations ready to be picked up in time for Christmas to decorate your tree.

After making a beautiful decoration, enjoy a complimentary mince pie and a tasty hot drink.

Andreas Günther Quartet

Jazz pianist and saxophonist Andreas Günther, originally from Hamburg in Germany is coming to Scott’s Jazz Club after working with German and other international artists, touring Japan, China, Macedonia, Switzerland, and Germany.

Doors open at 8:30 pm with music beginning at 9 pm.

Dark wood musical piano

Read More:

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Don't miss these colourful firework displays across Northern Ireland this Halloween

Halloween surprise goes down a treat at Belfast Zoo

How to listen to Downtown Country:

Tune into Northern Ireland’s number 1 for Country music, Downtown Country on online, on the Rayo app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Downtown Country’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the best Irish and American country music, from Victoria Quinn in the morning, to Big T’s legendary evening Country show.  Â