Costume swap to give old items a new lease of life this Halloween
21 September 2026
With excitement building for the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, Council is delighted to announce the return of its popular Halloween Costume Swap initiative.
With excitement building for the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, Derry City and Strabane District Council is delighted to announce the return of its popular Halloween Costume Swap initiative, which is now open at both the Guildhall and Riversdale Leisure Centre.
Now in its fourth year, the initiative encourages local people to donate unwanted costumes, accessories and props, giving them a second life while helping others find inspiration for their Halloween creations. The costume swap will run right through until Halloween, offering a sustainable and affordable way to prepare for the festivities.
The scheme has grown in popularity each year, helping families reduce waste, save money and embrace the spirit of reuse and creativity that has long been associated with Derry Halloween.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, encouraged people to support the initiative and also join in the celebrations.
"As we prepare to celebrate 40 years of Derry Halloween, this is a wonderful opportunity for people to get involved in the festival while also doing something positive for the environment.
"The Costume Swap has become a hugely popular part of our Halloween preparations, encouraging people to recycle old costumes, share ideas and spark their imagination for this year's celebrations.
"Derry has always had a proud tradition of creativity when it comes to Halloween costumes, with generations of local people making their own outfits and props. I'd encourage everyone to call in to the Guildhall or Riversdale Leisure Centre, see what's available and perhaps find the inspiration for their next Halloween masterpiece."
Council's Waste and Recycling Officer, Julie Hannaway, said the initiative demonstrates how small actions can make a positive environmental impact.
"The Halloween Costume Swap is a fantastic example of how we can reduce waste while still enjoying all the fun and excitement of the season.
"Every costume, accessory or prop that is reused is one less item going to landfill, helping us to reduce our environmental footprint while promoting a more sustainable approach to Halloween.
"We would encourage anyone with unwanted costumes or Halloween items sitting at home to donate them and give someone else the opportunity to enjoy them. Equally, if you're looking for inspiration for this year's celebrations, call in and see the range of costumes and props available."
The Costume Swap is open to anyone wishing to donate or collect Halloween-themed costumes, accessories and props. Residents can drop off clean, reusable items at either location and browse the collection for ideas and costume pieces throughout the festival season.
As the city prepares for the Derry Halloween milestone 40th anniversary celebrations, the Costume Swap offers another opportunity for local people to embrace the community spirit and creativity that have helped make Derry Halloween one of the world's most celebrated Halloween events over the past four decades.