October is a beautiful time to visit Mourne Gullion Strangford. The leaves transform from vibrant green to rich, rusty red, and the summer crowds have thinned out, allowing for a more peaceful experience. You can still make the most out of the crisp autumn days, enjoy a bike ride, visit a pumpkin patch, have a leisurely stroll or enjoy a delicious coffee in one of the cosy cafes around Mourne Gullion and Strangford.
1. Visit a Pumpkin Patch
Nothing says October like a visit to a pumpkin patch! Spend the day choosing the perfect pumpkin to carve or decorate your home with. See our Whats On section
2. Get in the Spooky Spirit
For those who love a good scare, visiting a "haunted" area or taking a ghost tour can be a thrilling experience. Read our blog on Spooky Happenings around the area. Dont miss out on Islandmagee Witches & Phantoms of Newry Talk or a spooky talk Eerieland: Ghost Stories of the North of Ireland
Be aware when around the Mourne Gullion and Strangford area there will be some spooky attractions and events that come alive during October.
3. Create Autumn Crafts
Carve your pumpkins into spooky or silly faces or get creative with paint for a less messy option. Display your creations on your doorstep to welcome trick-or-treaters.
Places like Tullymurry house are offering an Autumnal Handcrafted Wreath Experience at Tullymurry House make your own stunning autumn wreath to hang on your front door!
Or enjoy events creating or painting autumn themed decorations create clay pumpkins at The Clay Project
4. Go on a Leaf-Peeping Adventure
Take a scenic drive or hike to admire the stunning Autumn foliage. Whether you’re in the Mourne mountains, one of our beautiful forest parks, or gorgeous gardens, the array of colors will leave you in awe. Don't forget your camera to capture the beauty of autumn leaves.
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5. See a Halloween Movie
Get into the October spirit by seeing a Halloween movie. From classic horror films to family-friendly favorites, there’s a film for every taste. Add some popcorn, cozy blankets, and snacks for a fright-tastic night.
Dont miss the chilling screening of the horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street as part of RetroVision: 80s Film Fest at Down County Museum
The Newcastle Community Cinema will be showing Halloween themed movies throughout the month so look out for the events on their website What’s On NCC
6. Explore a Local Artisan Market
Visit an Artisan’s market to enjoy the bounty of the autumnal season. You’ll find fresh produce, homemade jams, baked goods, and artisan crafts. It’s also a great way to support local farmers and artisans. Check out Your Local Artisan Markets - Visit Mourne Gullion Strangford to find
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7. Make Smores Around a Bonfire
Get into the great outdoors this October, experience camping Mourne Gullion Strangford. We have so many camping and glamping destinations for you to stay in. Gather friends and family and enjoy making s’mores under the stars. The crackling fire and gooey marshmallows make for a quintessential autumn evening.
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8. Attend a Halloween Event
Explore a local Halloween festival where you can enjoy seasonal foods, crafts, music, and more. Many festivals also feature activities like games, spooky trails, live entertainment and firework displays. Enjoy our Howl-oween event Footsteps in the Forest. This festival celebrates the ancient festival of Samhain with eerie entertainment, spookalicious treats, and immersive storytelling.
For a night without the kids, The Slieve Donard Hotel hosts a Halloween event, Hocus Pocus: A Halloween Dinner & Show An evening of Hocus Pocus inspired dining, with a live show from the cast of InspireME Entertainment weaving through the room as you eat.
All events available on Whats On October and Halloween Events 2026 Blog
9. Cycle the Scenic Locations
Embrace the Scenic Routes this October, follow the cycle routes around Mourne Gullion Strangford, or tackle some trails in our forest parks. Enjoy the cooler temperatures, vibrant foliage, and crisp air which creates the perfect atmosphere for outdoor adventures in the autumn.
10. Get into The Great Outdoors
Grab yourself a hot drink in a café and head for a walk, spend a crisp October day exploring the forest parks of Mourne Gullion Strangford, we have a selection of beautiful parks that are rich in shrubs, plants, wildlife and atmosphere. You can expect an array of autumn colours and maybe you will see some cute red squirrels on your ventures. Get inspired Exploring Trails and Coffee Stops - Visit Mourne Gullion Strangford
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Keep eyes on our 2026 Halloween Blog, you can expect autumnal markets, spooktacular festivals, events and fireworks displays all throughout the Mourne Gullion Strangford area.
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 seeking spine-tingling thrills or simply wish to soak in the atmospheric beauty of the forest, Footsteps in the Forest is an unforgettable autumn adventure.
Castlewellan Forest Park is located on Forest Park View, Castlewellan, County Down, in a dramatic setting of mountains and sea. Castlewellan Forest Park has one of the most outstanding tree and shrub collections in Europe. The beauty, vigour and perfect shape of the trees in the National Arboretum attract tree enthusiasts from around the world.
Tollymore Forest Park has panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea at Newcastle and is open to the public all year. Tollymore Forest covers an area of almost 630 hectares at the foot of the Mourne Mountains.
Slieve Gullion is Ireland's Mountain of Mystery. Slieve Gullion Forest Park offers walking trails, a scenic drive, an Adventure Playpark, Fionn's Giant Adventure children's story trail and a Courtyard with coffee shop.
Kilbroney Park features riverside walks and an arboretum. There is a two-mile forest drive which showcases panoramic views over Carlingford Lough. There is also a Play Park with children's play area and tennis courts, an Information area and a café all on site.
2 hour talk on the Islandmagee witch trial, and other accused witches in Ireland. Plus, some spine tingling ghost stories from the nearby area.
This Halloween, go beyond the realm of death with dark historian Andrew Johnston of Alternative Ulstours, as he shares supernatural tales from the grave!
Spend a relaxing autumn morning in the elegant surroundings of Tullymurry House & Spa and create a beautiful handcrafted textile wreath inspired by the rich colours and textures of the season.
Join us this Halloween for a chilling screening of the horror classic A Nightmare on Elm Street as part of RetroVision: 80s Film Fest at Down County Museum.
As autumn settles over the Mournes and the nights draw in, Slieve Donard turns its grand halls over to a night of mischief and theatre. Join us for an evening of Hocus Pocus-inspired dining, with a live show from the cast of InspireME Entertainment weaving through the room as you eat.
Mourne Park has one of the largest expanses of ancient woodland in Northern Ireland. Visit to explore over 73ha (180 acres) of ancient woodland, teeming with wildlife, and take in the panoramic views from the summit of Knockchree Mountain.
