In previous years, my kids and I would just enjoy trick-or-treats and costume parades around our village. While they’re a fun way to connect with neighbors, my kids just end up with an achy tooth after finishing up the candies.
Thanks to several Halloween events in Belfast, parents can now enjoy this spooky season with their kids, apart from costumes and candies.
So if you’re also curious about spooky stories and other Halloween activities around the city, you’re at the right place!
1. Mystical Journey at Mount Stewart
Media credit: @ntmountstewart
Website: https://discovernorthernireland.com/whats-on/halloween-at-mount-stewart-p921271
Address: Portaferry Rd, Newtownards BT22 2AD
Contact Details: +44 28 4278 8387
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Mount Stewart decorates its gardens every October with spooky characters and pumpkin patches, which are great for both young and adults.
Here, you can join mystery tours along the Folklore and Legend Halloween Trail, where the organizers tell folklore and mythology stories from around the world—imagine being in an escape room outdoors!
When you and your kids get out of the lake trail, you can make your way into the main house where you can get to explore stories about dragons and witches.
Additionally, if you feel that the mystery tours aren’t enough to scare you, you can join their spooky storytelling sessions.
If your kids don’t want to hear scary stories, you can let them join other Halloween activities such as face painting and pumpkin carving. They can also join the scavenger hunts for a more challenging activity.
Meanwhile, runners can have a different experience on the running trail as they’ll be entertained (or spooked out) by the eerie displays in the area.
When it comes to food, you can also enjoy Halloween-themed goodies and drinks, including the famous pumpkin spice latte when you’re at Mount Stewart.
Pro tip: Consider bringing glow sticks or LED candles to help you navigate the spooky trails at Mount Stewart.
2. Traditional Halloween at Ulster American Folk Park
Media credit: @ulsteramericanfolkpark
Website: https://www.ulsteramericanfolkpark.org/past-event/halloween
Address: 2 Mellon Rd, Omagh BT78 5QU
Contact Details: +44 28 8224 3292
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
From October 28 to October 31, Ulster American Folk Park becomes home to celebrating Halloween traditions experienced by the area centuries ago.
Here, you can see how these traditions have influenced America before they tweaked it to the Halloween celebrations we know today.
You’ll love dressing up as traditional scary elements and other traditional Halloween costumes such as a scarecrow rather than your favorite cartoon character, which adds to the whole traditional vibe.
If you’ve got kids in tow, you can let them join short little trails where they can hunt for Halloween elements around the place. Their journey can end with crafting Halloween-related art and even face painting!
Meanwhile, if you feel hungry, you can enjoy Halloween-themed goodies such as warm ciders and apple tarts.
Pro tip: Consider visiting Ulster American Folk Park on the first day of their traditional Halloween event. This will let you enjoy some grilled burgers and hotdogs on site, including pumpkin soup, pumpkin latte, and hot chocolates.
3. Halloween Adventure Walk at Montalto Estate
Media credit: @montaltoestate
Website: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/halloween-at-montalto-p918771
Address: 2 Mellon Rd, Omagh BT78 5QU
Contact Details: +44 28 8224 3292
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Montalto Estate is surrounded by woodlands and gardens, making it a perfect venue to dress up during the Halloween period. If you’re looking for a fun Halloween activity for your kids, you’ll surely enjoy the place’s Halloween Adventure Walk.
You’ll be surrounded by carved pumpkins, spider webs, witch’s cottages, scarecrows, and animated ghost displays, allowing you to take interesting photos and videos as you stroll around.
At night, you’ll appreciate the place more as the entire gardens and landscapes will be filled with light displays.
Your kids can also participate in family-friendly storytelling—Halloween-themed, but not too scary for your little ones!
Additionally, if you want to bring your furry friends, you’ll love that they can join walking around the mysterious trails with them. Even better, you can dress them and be aligned with the theme.
Pro tip: Montalto Estate provides timed entry slots to manage the high volume of crowds. Because of this, you may consider the slot just before the sun sets, allowing you to see the area even before they light the paths and displays.
4. Customary Halloween at Ulster Folk Museum
Media credit: @ulsterfolkmuseum
Website: https://www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/halloween-at-montalto-p918771
Address: Cultra, Holywood BT18 0EU
Contact Details: +44 28 9042 8428
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For those of you who want to get to know more about the traditions and customs of Halloween then Ulster Folk Museum is a great place to visit during this season.
Every year, this museum hosts a 3-day Halloween fest in Belfast, allowing you to dive deeper into the origins more than just wearing spooky costumes. This event is inspired by the Celtic festival called Samhain, a festival to celebrate the dead.
Here, you can also join the murder mystery tales throughout the event where they get to reveal the guilty one during Halloween day itself.
And in case you can’t attend the event on that day, you’ll love that they announce it online, allowing those who can’t physically participate to enjoy the festivities.
You’ll also love that you can learn about magic potions and crafts during the last day of the event.
Meanwhile, if you want to learn how to carve turnips, you’ll love that there are mini activities that will give you hands-on experience in being creative with your pumpkin. There are also various craft stations that you and your kids can enjoy.
Additionally, don’t miss out on taking photos with actors dressed in traditional costumes, allowing you to meet real Halloween characters such as Samhain the witch.
For foodies out there, you can grab something to eat at Tea Lane. Here, you can get your favorite Halloween goodies such as barmbrack and apple pie.
Pro tip: If you want to be more involved with the old customs of Halloween here at Ulster Folk Museum, let you and your kids keep a small bag of salt in your pocket. They’re believed to steer away bad spirits–you can even sprinkle some outside the cottages.
5. Potion Making at Glenarm Castle and Garden
Media credit: @glenarmcastle
Website: https://glenarmcastle.com/upcoming-events/
Address: 2 Castle Lane, Glenarm, Ballymena BT44 0BQ
Contact Details: +44 28 2884 1203
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you want to know what a castle looks like during the spooky time of the year, then you should celebrate Halloween at Glenarm Castle and Garden.
Here, you can join various programs, depending on your interest. You and your friends can enjoy their storytelling featuring scary tales in all parts of Belfast.
You can let your children enjoy a somehow scary train ride, and challenge them to battle their fears in the dark.
Meanwhile, if your kids love that world of wizardry and magic, we think that they’ll love the wand workshop and potion making, allowing them to have a more immersive experience.
Pro tip:Consider staying until the very end of the Halloween festival so you and your kids can watch the fireworks. The courtyard is a great spot to be at during this time, allowing you to have the castle as your backdrop while the skies are filled with lights.
6. Spooky Walks at Rowallane Garden
Media credit: @nationaltrustbelfast
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/rowallane-garden/events
Address: Crossgar Rd, Saintfield, Ballynahinch BT24 7LH
Contact Details: +44 28 9751 0131
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For those of you who are looking for a Halloween activity while being surrounded by trees and plants, then you should spend your Halloween afternoon walking at Rowallane Garden.
Here, you’ll see the gardens decorated with witch’s brooms, scarecrows, and pumpkins. The trails are also marked well, leading you to the right path, great if you want a self-guided tour.
At night, you can join their haunted walks where guides will share scary stories about the garden. And we’re telling you, the chilly weather at night adds to the whole spooky vibe!
Meanwhile, your kids can join treasure hunting around the gardens while dressed up in their spooky or creative Halloween costumes. They can also explore their creativity by creating their own Halloween masks during the event.
You can also let your kids pick up pumpkins, allowing them to choose which one to carve once you all get home.
Pro tip:Parking around Rowallane Garden is very limited, making it more challenging for you to secure a spot during the Halloween Season. The management suggests utilizing ride-sharing services when attending the event.
7. Murder Mystery at Strangford
Media credit: @ntcastleward
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/strangford-lough
Address: 78 Ballydrain Road, Combe
Contact Details: 028 9187 4146
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Strangford Village celebrates Halloween by introducing ghost tours and murder mysteries to Belfast residents and tourists. Don’t miss out on the ghost stories at Strangford Castle too!
Every year, this village decorates the place with Halloween elements like scarecrows, witch’s brooms, cobwebs, and pumpkins.
Here, you can also get to experience a traditional Irish Halloween and enjoy watching live performances and traditional Irish dances
You can also enjoy the pumpkin festival that Strangford hosts, letting you experience how to carve pumpkins during the event. Even better, you can even challenge yourself to be more creative by joining a carving competition.
If you love a different way to explore the surrounding area, you can hop on a boat while seeing Halloween decorations from afar.
Pro tip:If you want a more eerie spot around Strangford, make sure to drop by Strangford Harbour at night. You‘ll notice the village lights reflected on the quiet waters, while being surrounded by bird sounds around the area.
8. Frightful Fun Fest at Giant’s Causeway
Media credit: @giantscausewaynt
Address: Bushmills BT57 8SU
Contact Details: +44 28 2073 1855
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
If you want to celebrate Halloween at dusk then you should attend the Frightful Fun Fest at Giant’s Causeway. Here, you’ll be surrounded by the basalt columns while hearing stories about the legends, myths, and folklore in the area.
You can also take advantage of their spooky trail called the Witch’s Path. Imagine yourself walking along an overgrown trail that has been known for stories about witches, fairies, and other supernatural elements.
Another well-known story about the area that you can dive deeper into is the legend of Finn McCool, a giant who was believed to have created the Causeway. You can even join their Halloween challenge of finding a giant’s footprint.
Meanwhile, if you want your kids to join in the Halloween fun without being too spooky then they will have a good time joining Halloween activities such as pumpkin carving, and other arts and crafts projects at the Visitor Center.
Pro tip:Since the Celtic spirit of Samhain is deeply rooted in the tradition of the Causeway Coast, you may consider watching the sunset over the cliffs, as ancient people believed that the spirit was alive during dusk.
9. Carrick-a-Rede Halloween Fun Fest at Ballintoy
Media credit: @nationaltrustni
Address: Ballintoy, Antrim, Ballycastle
Contact Details: +44 28 2076 9839
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
If you want to celebrate Halloween in a little different way, you can attend the Carrick-a-Rede festival, held at the rope bridge at Ballintoy. Here, you’ll get to see spooky decor while you traverse the bridge.
The organizers even encourage people to literally face their fears while they move toward the other end of the bridge. Don’t worry, there’s an even more exciting surprise at the end!
Since the place has encountered a lot of shipwrecks, it’s also become an interesting place to celebrate Halloween as people share scary stories. Even better, they have candles everywhere, making the space appear more eerie.
If you’re taking your kids, you can let them join the costume parade and be in their complete Halloween spirit. Make sure to give your best effort as prizes and treats will be given to the top winners.
Meanwhile, you can also join their spooky trails where you can be amazed at their seasonal crafts and Halloween elements and design.
When it comes to food, you can find various food stalls offering Halloween candies for kids and other autumn favorites like pumpkin spice and apple cider.
Pro tip:If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, maximize your stay at Ballintoy as that village has been used as a location to shoot the show. You’ll enjoy roaming around Ballintoy village as they also decorate the streets with spooky elements.
10. Halloween Bug Hunt at The Argory
Media credit: @ntmidulster
Website: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/northern-ireland/the-argory/events/
Address: 144 Derrycaw Rd, Dungannon BT71 6NA
Contact Details: +44 28 8778 4753
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Halloween Bug Hunt at The Argory is one of the halloween activities in Belfast that are perfect for kids.
It’s another version of Easter Egg Hunt except that it happens during October, while dressed up with their favorite Halloween or cartoon character. And instead of eggs filled with treats, they need to search for bugs and critters.
You’ll love that this activity is also educational for them as they will learn about the nature and wildlife found at The Argory.
They will surely have fun wandering around the trails as the area is surrounded by cobwebs, and carved pumpkins—complete with scary ambient music!
Your kids can also enjoy carving pumpkins. They can even decorate them to reflect their creativity.
Additionally, they can design their Halloween souvenirs, adding a more personal touch.
One of the most-awaited parts of the event is the storytelling sessions, allowing kids to know more about bug folklore and other myths and legends in the area.
This also lets them get to know more about these creepy crawlies and realize that we really need them in the ecosystem.
Pro tip:Consider bringing a temporary bug jar to make hunting more interesting. Just make sure to supervise them as they release these bugs soon after the activity.