Belfast is set to be transformed into a spooky special Halloween wonderland with giant creatures scaling rooftops and a patch featuring over 1,000 pumpkins.
The “spook-tacular” experiences will be run by Belast ONE and Belfast City Council in a joint programme which is aimed at both children and adults, with much of the experiences taking place at the very centre of the city.
The joint programme promises to create “a memorable Halloween at the heart of the city.”
The festivities will kick off with the upcoming Belfast ONE’s massive inflatable monsters making a highly anticipated return after their last visit in 2022.
From October 25 to November 1, these giant creatures will “take over” seven of Belfast’s most iconic buildings, crawling from windows and rooftops to create a striking and playful spectacle.
When the creatures visited in 2022, their most notable location was in Ann Street, when the building which houses retailers such as EE and Kiehls, was overtaken by a “giant kraken” – with large tentacles protruding from each window of the building creating the illusion the large monster was housed inside.
Large eyes were also placed in trees in hospitality locations across the city centre, to create a spooky effect, while a large monster’s mouth was also placed at the entrance of Victoria Square shopping centre.
The festive atmosphere will also spread to Donegall Place, where trees will be draped in Halloween decorations, adding to the spooky ambiance across the city.
On Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October, the grounds of Belfast City Hall will host the Belfast ONE Pumpkin Patch, featuring over 1,000 pumpkins in a festive autumn display.
Aimed at becoming a family-friendly attraction, the organisers have said the patch will offer a perfect backdrop for seasonal photos, inviting visitors to capture moments with loved ones.
Children will be invited to pick a pumpkin and create their very own spooky masterpiece as part of this year’s Halloween festivities with free tickets alongside a £2 administration fee.
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Alongside the spook-tivities at the city hall, 2 Royal Avenue will offer even more family-friendly fun starting October 26.
Families will be able to enjoy a fang-tastic range of activities, including no-carve pumpkin decorating, face painting, and colouring stations, aimed at younger Halloween fans.
This event will also be free and open to all, providing a creative Halloween experience in the heart of the city.
Speaking at the launch of these Halloween attractions at Belfast city hall, Lord Mayor of Belfast Mickey Murray was joined by Belfast ONE CEO Martina Connolly and a few junior spooky stars—witches Orla Scott (7), Stephanie Whyte (7), and mini-vampire Emmet Scott (5). The Lord Mayor said: “We’re thrilled to partner with Belfast ONE to bring these spooktacular attractions to the city.
“From pumpkins appearing at city hall to giant monsters climbing over our city’s buildings, there’s something to enchant both adults and children alike this Halloween.”
Belfast ONE CEO Martina Connolly added: “Belfast ONE are delighted to bring world-class animations into the Belfast city centre this Halloween, creating a vibrant atmosphere filled with family-friendly activities.
“Our Monster Takeover will put us on a par with cities such as London, Dublin and Manchester and we encourage everyone to visit, enjoy the celebrations, and be part of the festivities in the heart of the city.”
Weekend News Catchup with Kevin Scott