Take a Spooky Spin Along the Halloween Hay Trail as Festival Favourite Returns
8 October 2025
The spookiest season of the year has rolled back into town, and that can only mean one thing — the Halloween Hay Trail is back and bigger than ever. From 16th–31st October 2025, families, friends, and Halloween fans of all ages get the chance to take a spooky spin through Strabane and the wider district. But beware… ghosts, witches, and scarecrows may be lurking just around the corner!
What makes this hauntingly fun journey so special is the effort and energy put into it by the wonderfully talented local communities, schools, farmers, and businesses. What began in 2017 as a small celebration of home-grown creativity has now become a firm favourite in the Halloween calendar — a much-loved tradition that audiences can’t wait to see every year.
This year’s trail promises plenty of eerie excitement as it winds its way from Bready to Castlederg and beyond. Visitors can start their adventure at the Sollus Centre in Bready, before making their way to New Horizons on the Derry Road and the North West Regional College in Strabane, where monstrous and imaginative masterpieces are waiting to be discovered.
Don’t miss the spooky spectacle at Strabane Academy’s display at The Tinnies, or the charmingly creepy creations at Sion Mills Integrated Primary School.
Further along the route, the Glebe Cross Community at Bellspark Road will have something frightfully fun in store, while Spout Farm on Spout Road offers another unmissable stop for those brave enough to continue. Rounding off the trail, the Churchtown Community Association in Castlederg has brewed up a hay-based Halloween surprise, and the Newtownstewart Centre 2000 & Newtownstewart Young Farmers have teamed up to conjure one final spooktacular display.
Encouraging everyone to get out and about this Halloween, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Ruairí McHugh, said:
“It’s wonderful to see the Halloween Hay Trail return to Strabane and the wider district again this year. The creativity and community spirit that go into these incredible sculptures truly capture what Halloween is all about — fun, imagination, and coming together to celebrate the season. I’d encourage everyone to take a drive along the route, enjoy the amazing displays, and share your spooky snaps along the way!”
“I’d like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you, and well done, to all the schools, community groups, businesses and individuals who helped bring these spooky creations to life. Your talent and enthusiasm make the Hay Trail a highlight of our Halloween celebrations every year, and people from far and wide come to enjoy your creations.”
So gather your ghouls, hop in the car, and set off on a hay-mazing Halloween adventure through Strabane and beyond. With spooky sights, community spirit, and a little Halloween magic waiting at every turn, it’s a frightfully fun journey you won’t want to miss!
The Halloween Hay Trail is one part of the jam-packed programme of events for Strabane Halloween 2025. To view the full Halloween programme and event map, visit www.strabanehalloween.com