Copyright walesonline
When you think of the world’s greatest Halloween celebrations, your mind might drift to spooky suburban streets in the US, filled with trick-or-treaters in costumes or Disney theme parks decked out with pumpkins and lights. But what if I told you that the world’s best Halloween festival is closer than you think? It's not in a quaint New England town, but rather, just a short flight from Cardiff Airport to Belfast and then a 90-minute drive to a historic city. Every year, Derry in Northern Ireland hosts the best multi-day Halloween party in Europe, and it might even outdo Halloween festivities across the Atlantic. It's so spectacular that readers of USA Today, many of them American, voted Derry the world’s number one spot for Halloween, beating out stiff competition from major U.S. cities like Salem, Massachusetts, and New Orleans. During the week of Halloween, there’s usually a full event programme of parades, fireworks, street theatre, and thousands of people in costumes roaming an extravagantly decorated city. I've attended Derry Halloween several times and love it a bit more with each visit. When I landed at the airport for my first-ever festival experience, I felt sheer excitement bubbling up to experience one of the largest Halloween celebrations in the world while staying in the swish Ebrington Hotel . As a Halloween girlie, it felt like such a win to hop on a short flight instead of crossing the Atlantic for a big spooky fix. Derry’s streets were already alive with elaborately costumed characters before I’d even checked into my hotel. The scent of damp leaves, a hint of burger van sizzle, and someone dressed as a glow-in-the-dark skeleton asking for directions. From towering witches to intricately crafted skeletons, it felt like I had stepped into a real-life Tim Burton film, and I was here for it. What struck me most on my first visit was how the entire city was involved; it wasn’t just an event but a full-scale spooky transformation. There were painted faces, incredible light displays, and a contagious sense of community. In 2024, that sense of transformation felt stronger than ever. The “Awakening the Walled City Trail” was mesmerising, a blend of fire performers, illuminated myths, and eerie soundscapes playing out across Derry’s ancient city walls. I wandered past giant puppets drifting through the mist near St Columb’s Cathedral, laughing at how surreal it was to feel both slightly spooked and completely charmed. Where else could you stand on 400-year-old ramparts and watch a banshee projection scream across the sky? What many spooky season lovers might not realise is that Ireland is where Halloween began . That's right, the Emerald Isle is the true home of Halloween, not America, and it has a fascinating history rooted in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. "It all started in Ireland's ancient east," says Halloween expert Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh, speaking on the Travel Goals Podcast . "Here was always a great celebration of fire and feasting at this time of year, based on the Celtic Festival and the Celtic calendar. This time of year is called Samahin, the Irish word for November." Ní Chofaigh also explains that Samhain marked the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the Celtic New Year, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld was said to blur, allowing spirits and fairies to roam freely. To protect themselves, people would dress in disguises to fool any malevolent beings, a tradition that eventually transformed into the costumes we wear today. In the 19th century, Irish immigrants brought these traditions to the United States, where they merged with other customs and became the Halloween we know now. But in Derry, Halloween hasn’t lost touch with its Celtic roots, which makes the festival here so unique. It’s not just a party; it’s a living connection to the ancient traditions that shaped this eerie holiday. If this sounds like folklore, tell that to the thousands of ghosts, witches, and ghouls who descend on Derry every October for a week-long Halloween extravaganza that had surprisingly humble beginnings. "Basically it started in 1985 in a local bar", says Karen Henderson, Visit Derry sales and marketing manager. Speaking on a special Halloween episode of the Travel Goals Podcast, Henderson explains that in the 80s, the Castle Bar had a Halloween party for its regulars, attended by about 50 people, all in fancy dress. There was a security alert that night, which resulted in the premises being evacuated, but the revellers were determined not to let the party end, so they took to the streets to party, resulting in the birth of Derry's massive Halloween extravaganza. What started as a modest event, with a few local activities and costume competitions, has since grown into an internationally acclaimed festival that draws well over 110,000 visitors annually. This transformation from a local gathering into a global Halloween spectacle reflects the hard work of the city’s residents and organisers, who have nurtured the festival into something truly extraordinary. The festival’s rise to prominence has had a profound economic impact on Derry. Tourism related to the Halloween festivities now contributes significantly to the city’s economy, generating millions of pounds annually. This huge tourism influx has also helped put Derry on the global map as a must-visit destination, contributing to year-round interest in the city and its history. While Halloween is traditionally a one-night affair, Derry’s festival lasts several days and offers a packed schedule of events and activities for visitors of all ages, including the highly anticipated Awakening of the Walls. This incredible display brings Derry’s famous city walls, the only completely intact city walls in Ireland, to life with hauntingly beautiful art projections, light displays, and special effects. Walking along the historic walls, you’re immersed in an eerie yet enchanting atmosphere, with ghostly stories and legends from Derry’s past unfolding before you. In 2025, the Awakening the Walled City Trail "expands beyond your wildest nightmares", with seven brand-new zones. From the fire-lit terrors of the Red Zone to the disco-dancing dead in the purple, each themed area brings its own unique brand of Halloween magic to Derry’s ancient streets. Every year, the city’s historic centre is also transformed into a Halloween village, with live music and pop-up markets selling everything from Halloween-themed snacks to spooky souvenirs. When I visited Guildhall Square, spine-chilling daily performances by local artists were held on a stage set for thrills. Fans of the Game of Thrones series (largely filmed in Northern Ireland) could also sit on the legendary Iron Throne and take a #thrones selfie. The Halloween parade is the highlight of the entire week. This is no ordinary parade; it’s an explosion of creepy creativity, with costumed performers, giant puppets, and pyrotechnics lighting up the streets of Derry. On my last visit, the extravagant parade would pass through the city, with thousands lining the streets to glimpse the spectacle, which grows more elaborate and impressive yearly. You’ll see everything from giant skeletons and grotesque monsters to traditional Celtic symbols brought to life with fun and theatricality. Hundreds of performers created a spellbinding spectacle as the parade wound through Derry’s city centre on Halloween night. It was a vibrant mix of schools, sports clubs, arts groups, and local community organisations united for this magical event, which featured music, spirits, and mythical creatures drawn from the rich traditions of Samhain (Halloween). This spellbinding parade will highlight the incredible creativity of diverse communities, featuring contributions from arts, culture, sports, music, and performance groups from across the city, district, and beyond. This year, expect 40,000 people, all cheering along in fancy dress, as a huge procession of innovative floats, talented performers, and crazy costumes stomps through the historic city and promises to be just as incredible as last year. After the parade, the 2025 festival then culminates in a spectacular fireworks display, illuminating the night sky above the River Foyle and creating an eerie, magical backdrop to Derry’s Halloween celebrations. It's my favourite part of the week when the sky lights up with colours and the crowd cheers each rocket exploding over the Foyle. For families, Derry Halloween also goes the extra mile to ensure that little ones have as much fun as the grown-ups. This year’s program had many activities to delight children while keeping the spooky factor right for younger audiences. Set in locations across the city, including Guildhall Square and Ebrington Square, these events offer everything from interactive storytelling sessions to craft workshops where kids can create their ghoulish masterpieces to take home. If you plan to stay in Derry for the Halloween festival, stay at The Ebrington Hotel , which offers luxury, comfort, and an unbeatable city location. Situated in the historic Ebrington Square, the hotel is just a stone's throw from many of the festival’s key events, including the famous Awakening of the Walls and family-friendly activities in Guildhall Square. Housed in a beautifully restored military barracks, the hotel combines modern amenities with heritage charm. After a long day of parades, ghostly tours, and spooky fun, you’ll appreciate the hotel’s spacious rooms, stylish décor, and exceptional service. The Ebrington’s rooftop bar offers epic views over the city. It is an ideal spot to relax with a drink and watch the fireworks light up the sky, with its prime location, impeccable service, and welcoming atmosphere. Portia Jones was a guest of Visit Derry
