News

Strabane Gears Up for a Packed Programme of Halloween Fun this October

16 October 2026

Preparations are underway as Strabane gets ready to welcome thousands of visitors for another spectacular Halloween celebration, with a packed programme of family-friendly entertainment, community events and seasonal attractions taking place throughout October.

As the town continues its exciting journey towards its bid for Town of Culture 2028, this year's Halloween programme provides another opportunity to showcase the creativity, community spirit and cultural vibrancy that make Strabane such a special place to live, work and visit.

From pumpkin patches and haunted houses to interactive workshops, live performances, spooky street entertainment and a dazzling fireworks display, there will be something for all the family this year.

A host of Halloween attractions will take place across the district, including Fulton's Pumpkin Patch and Haunted House in Artigarvan, Maxwell's Pumpkin Patch in Castlederg, Halloween at Spout Farm, New Horizons Pumpkin Patch in Strabane and the ever-popular Strabane Haunted House at St Patrick's Hall.

The ever-popular Halloween Hay Trail will also return from 16-31 October, inviting residents and visitors to explore nine imaginative displays located across the district, from Bready and Strabane to Victoria Bridge, Castlederg and Newtownstewart.

Families can enjoy a wide variety of activities throughout the Halloween period, including arts and crafts, science workshops, storytelling, music, magic shows and themed fun days at Strabane Library, leisure centres and community venues across the district.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais, encouraged everyone to get involved.

"Halloween is always a wonderful time across our district, bringing communities together and creating lasting memories for families and visitors alike. This year's programme offers something for everyone, from fun-filled family activities and community events to exciting attractions, entertainment and cultural celebrations.

"As Strabane looks ahead to its bid for UK Town of Culture 2028, events such as Halloween provide a fantastic opportunity to celebrate everything that makes our town unique. I would encourage people from across the city and district and further afield to come along, enjoy the festivities, support our local businesses and community organisations, and help showcase the warmth, creativity and spirit that Strabane is so rightly proud of."

The centrepiece of the celebrations takes place on Saturday 31 October, when Strabane Town Centre comes alive with spooky trails, giant dinosaurs, mysterious characters, live performances and interactive family entertainment.

Visitors can enjoy the return of the popular Halloween Trick or Treat Trails, hands-on arts and crafts workshops, magic shows with Parky the Magician, a mini Halloween market showcasing local makers, and family storytelling sessions. W5 will present the interactive science show Extreme Existence: The Hunt, while dinosaur enthusiasts can step into a prehistoric adventure with Dinosaurs on the Loose - Jurassic Encounter, featuring dinosaur egg hatcheries, baby dinosaurs and a towering T-Rex encounter.

Throughout the town centre there will be colourful performances from Much Ado Stage School, Class Act Theatre Group and the Niamh McGranaghan School of Irish Dance, alongside face painting, caricature artists, illuminated craft workshops, creepy creature encounters and walkabout entertainment from Wacky Winifred and her sidekick. Visitors can also enjoy delicious local food from the dedicated food quarter and soak up the atmosphere as Strabane transforms into a Halloween playground for all ages.

The celebrations will culminate with the much-anticipated Fireworks Extravaganza at 7pm on Saturday 31 October, with the best viewing available from the Melvin Sports Complex Running Track, providing a spectacular finale to the Halloween festivities.

Halloween fun doesn't end there. Party-goers can enjoy an extensive array of late-night entertainment with the After Dark programme of events taking place in bars and venues across Strabane on Halloween night.

The programme continues into November with Diwali Workshops on 7 November and the Diwali Festival of Lights on 14 November, celebrating Indian culture through music, dance, fashion, food and traditional arts.

Strabane Halloween is part of the wider Derry Halloween programme and is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism Northern Ireland and The Executive Office.

For more information and full programme please visit: www.strabanehalloween.com