Media Advisory & Accreditation details for Halloween celebrations
26 October 2021
To facilitate media access to this year’s Halloween festivities and events taking place from Friday October 29 - Sunday October 31, media are advised that in compliance with health and safety regulations, all photographers and broadcast media who intend to cover the events in Derry and Strabane are required to register their details in advance and wear high visibility media bibs.
This year’s Awakening the Walled City programme will be delivered in a new look format over an extended area moving the action off the City’s Walls and into the wider community, taking place over a number of zones in the Cityside, Waterside, Strabane and Donegal.
Getting around:
The City experience will be delivered over three themed zones/worlds which will all feature an array of installations, illuminations and performance offering a wide range of photo/broadcast opportunities as follows:
Zone/World One – Queens Quay to Harbour Square Roundabout and Foyle Marina; Zone/World Two – Guildhall Square/Waterloo Place, City Centre and Urban Villages; Zone/World Three – Ebrington Square, St Columb's Park, St Columb's Park House and Greenway.
A special 3D LED installation will take centre stage at Ebrington Square, the first of its kind in Ireland.
Please note that there are 68 installations spread over several kilometres so please come weather ready and wear comfy walking shoes. The Trail will open from 5pm – 10pm on Friday Oct 29 and Saturday Oct 30, and from 4.30pm – 9pm on Sunday Oct 31.
A free Translink shuttle bus service will operate during these hours between the NW Transport Hub (Waterside) and Foyle Street (Cityside).
A range of daytime activities will also take place during the afternoon in the Guildhall and in and around the City Centre, with street trading, performers, and music.
Fireworks Finale event:
This year there will be no Carnival Parade but the Fireworks Finale event will still go head on Sunday evening at 9pm. To ease congestion the fireworks will be released from two locations on the River Foyle – one above Sainsburys, and one near the Council’s Strand Road offices. There will be viewing points right along the river from the Peace Bridge to Fort George Science Park.
A small number of places are available to media to capture the fireworks from the Peace Bridge – you must register interest in advance to secure a spot. Media who do not register will not be granted access.
Registration:
Any broadcast vehicles must also be registered in advance by 5pm on Wednesday evening Oct 27. In order to secure a place details of the vehicle registration must be provided.
Media bibs are available for collection at Derry City and Strabane District Council Offices, Strand Road, Derry, on Thursday October 28th, from 10am to 5pm.
A media room will be available at Ebrington, Buildings 80-81 for anyone who needs quiet space to work – ID and proof of registration will be required for access.
Media Accreditation Requirements:
Applications must clearly indicate the following and applicants must provide relevant ID - eg. current NUJ card or company ID.
Applicant details:
1. Full name
2. Organisation being represented and specific role
3. Mobile telephone number
4. Email address
5 Details of Broadcast vehicle including registration number
Responses must be registered by Wednesday October 27th at 5pm by sending the above information via email to media@derrystrabane.com
Other highlights:
Please note that a programme of family friendly activities will also be delivered over the weekend in Strabane with much of the activity centring around the Alley Theatre, Abercorn Square and Castle Street. Fireworks will be launched at 7pm on Sunday October 31st.
You will find the full programme of Halloween events at derryhalloween.com