It’s that time of year when spooky surprises begin to stir across Mourne Gullion Strangford! From family-friendly trails and eerie outdoor adventures to fang-tastic festivities in Newry City and our towns and villages, there’s plenty to get everyone into the Halloween spirit.
This October, enjoy thrills, chills and plenty of Giant Adventures for all ages. Meet mysterious characters, discover unforgettable Halloween experiences and start planning a spook-tacular family break in Mourne Gullion Strangford.
31 October
Halloween in Newcastle 2026
Newcastle Hallowtides returns on Saturday 31 October 2026 at 7pm! Enjoy a spellbinding evening of family fun this Halloween, and a spectacular fireworks display.
25 October - 1 November
Rowallowe'en Fun in the Garden, Saintfield
Take a walk in the old wood, make your own scary movie in the Stableyard film studio, and join the hunt in the walled garden to find out what villainous creature has been terrorising our gardeners!
24 October - 1 November
Castle Weird Hallowe'en Trail, Strangford
There's been a few spooky goings on around Castle Ward - visit to walk our Hallowe'en trail and test your bravery along the way. Discover the fascinating and slightly creepy world of Mary Ward and her famous "creepy crawly" creations from 24 October to 1 November. The trail slithers and snakes it's way starting from the stable yard, winding its way through the sunken garden! Runs daily during opening hours.
29 October
Baby Banshee Boogie at Rowallane Gardens, Saintfield
There'll be songs, puppets, music and play - perfect for getting little goblins giggling. Suitable for ages 0-3 years. Sessions are at 12.30 and 1.30. Squiggles & Giggles love being creative and having fun is our top priority so don't miss this session!
30 October
Hallow Lights, Kilkeel
Enjoy an evening at Hallow Lights Kilkeel this October, Music - Face painting - Fancy Dress Competition - Stalls - Arts & Crafts - Amusement Rides - Food Vendors - Balloon Making - Fireworks Extravaganza in the Mourne Mountains region.
Why Hallow Lights Kilkeel is great for families:
Set along the scenic coastal backdrop of the Mourne Mountains region, the event offers a gentle, fun-filled experience, ideal for visitors looking for safe, light-hearted seasonal activities rather than the high-thrill scares. With fireworks, hands-on arts & crafts, balloon modelling, and children’s entertainment, it’s perfect for younger children or anyone seeking a peaceful yet fun-filled night out by the coast.
30 October
Are You Afraid Of The Dark: The Ghost Stories, Myths and Legends of Mourne Park
The trees of Mourne Park have witnessed many things over the years... Join us for this after-dark storytelling walk through the ancient woodland to find out what stories, myths and legends these trees hold.
30 October
Hocus Pocus: A Halloween Dinner & Show, Slieve Donard Resort & Spa, Newcastle
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. Expect a two-course dinner built for the occasion, and a performance that turns dinner into something altogether more theatrical.
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30 October
Mystic Moon Paint and Sip
Join us at Art Studio 23 for a magical Halloween Paint & Sip evening and create your own atmospheric Mystic Moon canvas. We'll guide you step by step as you paint a glowing full moon over moonlit water, surrounded by a dreamy purple sky, distant mountains and silhouetted branches.
31 October
Gothic Mini Painting Workshop: Halloween Night
Join us at Art Studio 23 for a wonderfully gothic Halloween night of painting, creativity and a little spooky fun! Choose between our mystical crescent moon or friendly ghost design and create your own miniature painting inside a beautiful 21.5cm × 17cm gothic ornate oval frame.
30 October
Burke and Hare: Body Snatchers, Serial Killers, Ulstermen - Downpatrick
This Halloween, dark historian Andrew Johnston of Alternative Ulstours brings his 2025 Edinburgh Festival Fringe sell-out talk about William Burke and William Hare to Down Arts Centre on Friday 30 October 2026!
Andrew tells the ghoulish tale of the infamous miscreants, from their origins in rural Ulster to the shocking murders in 1820s Edinburgh that made them arguably the first modern serial killers.
The talk will remember Burke and Hare’s victims, and reveal what became of the duo, their wives and the doctors who paid for fresh cadavers during the body snatching era.
30 October
Are You Afraid Of The Dark: The Ghost Stories, Myths and Legends of Mourne Park
The trees of Mourne Park have witnessed many things over the years... Join us for this after-dark storytelling walk through the ancient woodland to find out what stories, myths and legends these trees hold.
30 October
The Phantom Flyer
Something spooky is trying to take over the town of Downpatrick, and we’ve seen reports of vampires, witches, zombies, and is that a mummy on the tracks? Are you brave enough to help the famous vampire hunter Van Helsing stop the ghostly goings on?
31 October
Family Halloween Arts and Crafts at Newry and Mourne Museum
This Halloween visit Newry and Mourne Museum and let your child unleash their wild and wicked imaginations to create ghostly arts and crafts in celebration of the scariest time of the year.
31 October
Halloween Trick-or-Treat Tote Party
Join us at Art Studio 23 for a fun-filled Halloween craft party! Each child will receive a natural calico tote bag to decorate using colourful fabric paints and markers. Choose from one of our six pre-drawn Halloween designs, or select a blank bag if your child would prefer to create something completely original.
31 October
Rowallowe'en Kids Monster Rave, Saintfield
Gather by the tower for a danse macabre in the dark heart of Rowallane Garden! Put on your spookiest costume, warm up your dancing feet and get ready to dance til you drop. In collaboration with professional party animals Jump Jiggle & Jive, this is the perfect afternoon's fun for children age 4 and up.
Feeling left out in the cold this Halloween?
Organising an event that you would like us to feature? Then pop the details into our Submit Event form and if there's no tricks then we might just add your event in as well for free.
We still have a bag of treats left (and some tricks up our sleeves) so check back soon for more frightfully fangtastic events! Don't forget to check out the What's On section for all the other events in the region. We hope you have howling time whatever you decide to do.
Newcastle Hallowtides returns on Saturday 31 October 2026 at 7pm! Enjoy a spellbinding evening of family fun this Halloween, and a spectacular fireworks display.
Step into a Halloween evening full of autumn atmosphere, fun activities, and local delights at the Newry Halloween Twilight Market. Taking place on Saturday 31 October 2026, from 5pm to 10pm, at Newry Variety Market, John Mitchel Place, Newry Variety Market will transform into a lively Halloween celebration suitable for all ages. With free entry, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!
Family Fun at Spooks in the City! Planning Halloween with the kids? We have entertainment right across the day in Newry City with Newry BID events and through our partners.
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 encounter spooky scenes & ghoulish games. Brave young explorers must collect the missing words of an ancient spell to reverse the curse and bring back the moon. Perfect for children & families, this enchanting outdoor experience is filled with adventure, imagination, and just the right amount of frightful fun!
The Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa is a leading four-star Hotel in Newcastle nestled beneath the Mountains of Mourne. Located just 45 minutes from Belfast or Newry, The Burrendale Hotel, Country Club & Spa is the ideal location to relax and unwind. Perfect for a Spa Break, Family Retreat, Romantic Getaway or Business Trip.
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.
A beloved destination for families, golfers, and holiday travellers, Slieve Donard is a local landmark that’s equal parts homey and breath-taking. The resort sits at the foot of the Mourne Mountains, on the edge of Royal County Down Golf Club, ranked no. 1 in the world by Golf Digest.
Your children can visit Newry and Mourne Museum to unleash their wild and wicked imaginations to create ghostly arts and crafts in celebration of the scariest time of the year.
We are a family run farm park based just outside Newcastle, County Down. Established in 2017, we have been providing families with unforgettable experiences and lasting memories since then.
Located in the heart of Downpatrick, Down Arts Centre is the operational base for the arts in Downpatrick and the surrounding area.
This unique garden has grown from the 19th century beginnings of the Reverend John Moore and his nephew Hugh Armytage Moore. Their vision created a place where you can leave the world behind and immerse yourself in nature's beauty.
