Causeway Coast and Glens came alive this October as the annual ‘Halloween Happenings’ made its much-anticipated return, delivering frightfully fun celebrations for residents and visitors alike.
From Saturday 25th to Saturday 31st October, the Borough’s four main towns of Ballymoney, Ballycastle, Coleraine and Limavady hosted a jam-packed week of family-friendly Halloween entertainment, featuring spooky trails with scary performers and activities themed for all ages.
Despite a few weather challenges including a Yellow Weather Warning, the events were a success, with fantastic community turnout and visitors from near and far enjoying the eerie atmosphere.
The Spooky Trail at Coleraine’s Ulster University campus proved especially popular, as guests braved the haunted woods to encounter spine-chilling characters along the path. Limavady’s enhanced trail also drew crowds, with plenty of surprises lurking in the shadows.
Other highlights included street theatre, fire jugglers, creepy critters, spooky characters, segway vampires, bubble cars, stilt walkers, flash mob dance crews, amusements, potion making, circus crafts, a drum and light show and more! There was plenty to keep everyone entertained – including the fancy dress competitions and speculator fireworks displays.
All the events started with a one-hour Quiet Time for those who prefer quieter, gentler Halloween thrills, with Coleraine and Limavady also having a new Family Quiet Zone this year.
Ballymoney opened the Spooktacular fun on Saturday 26th October with the ever-popular Fancy Dress Parade from Castlecroft Square led by Fun with Drums. The parade made its way to the Ballymoney Showgrounds, where families enjoyed live DJ music, fire jugglers, creepy critters and a colourful community art show by the Ullans Speaking Group.
Highlights included Kelly Neil dancers gave a fantastic performance and kids loved making magic potions, trick or trick, the Wall of Terror and chocolate apple decorating. The night included Iconic Dancers Zombie Dance House & Community Artwork showcase in the Nissan Hut, courtesy of FUSE FM, before the fantastic fireworks finale.
The spooktacular fun then moved to Ballycastle on Monday 27th October, starting with the fancy dress competition followed by the popular parade through the town. There were plenty of impressive costumes and the Base Ballycastle group created a beautifully decorated float. Fun with Drums led the parade through the town to the seafront where all the main activities took place. Rain didn’t stop the crowds enjoying the amusements, the DJ music, meeting the Halloween characters and enjoying the wide range of activities including circus skills, potion making, fire juggling, street theatre and amusements. The evening ended with a beautiful fireworks display over the sea.
Ulster University’s Coleraine Campus hosted the Halloween event on Wednesday 29th October. The celebrations were condensed into one action packed night due to a Yellow Warning. Visitors availed of not one but two amazing firework displays including a low noise fireworks display and a later, traditional fireworks finale! The fabulous Spooky Trail with its creepy characters was hugely popular, and there were lots of impressive costumes on show for the fancy dress competition. The DJ and Iconic dance crew flash mob got the crowds showing off their dance moves and the Kids Activities pagoda was busy with families enjoying everything from circus skills to whack a monster, potion making, trick or treat and chocolate apple decorating.
Limavady brought the fabulous Halloween Happenings to a close on Halloween night Friday 31st October. The enhanced Spooky Trail was filled with chilling surprises, live entertainment with fire jugglers to friendly characters, ghostbuster, bubble car, falconry display, segway vampire and creepy critters. The evening ended with a spectacular fireworks display.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan said: “This year’s Halloween celebrations saw record numbers turn out to enjoy the four fabulous events staged across the week.”
“There was something for all ages to enjoy; from fancy dress parades and children’s activities, to live music and the spectacular fireworks displays. The enhanced Spooky Trails in Coleraine and Limavady proved to be very popular, and it was great to see and hear so many people enjoying it.
“I would like to commend Council’s Events and Estates teams, who worked together to produce four fantastic nights of Halloween entertainment for everyone.”
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Fire performers entertaining the large crowds that turned out for the Ballymoney ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Saturday 25th October 2025.
Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Alderman Richard Stewart, pictured with the winner of the children’s fancy dress competition at the Ballymoney ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Saturday 25th October 2025.
Children enjoying the fun bubble car children’s entertainment at the Ballymoney ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Saturday 25th October 2025.
The fantastic fancy dress street parade making its way through Ballycastle town centre at the ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Monday 27th October 2025.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with the winner of the children’s fancy dress competition at the Ballycastle ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Monday 27th October 2025.
A spooky fire performer entertaining the large crowds that turned out for the Coleraine ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Wednesday 29th October 2025.
A family enjoying the enhanced Spooky Trail around Ulster University, Coleraine Campus at the ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Wednesday 29th October 2025.
The spectacular fireworks grand finale at the Coleraine ‘Halloween Happenings’ on Wednesday 29th October 2025.
Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Alderman Richard Stewart, pictured with some of the spooky characters at the ‘Halloween Happenings’ event in Limavady on Friday 31st October 2025.
Deputy Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Alderman Richard Stewart, pictured enjoying the kids Fun Farm at the ‘Halloween Happenings’ event in Limavady on Friday 31st October 2025.