Discover Northern Ireland has stacks of fun things to do across NI, from family days out to gigs and cultural events. Here are 10 exciting things taking place this week (23-29 October)

 

1. Richhill Apple Harvest Fayre, Armagh, 28 October. Celebrating the world famous PGI status Armagh Bramley apple with the very best food and drink Co. Armagh has to offer, a host of food and drink producers come to Richhill’s historic village. Fayre activities include live cookery demonstrations throughout the day, live music, fun and games. Learn from local chefs who will be showcasing their talents as they create mouth-watering dishes using the finest ingredients and, of course, Armagh apples.
2. Derry Halloween, 28-31 October. On the 31^st anniversary party supernatural beings and the souls of the dead flood into the City of Bones. Highlights include the fantastic ‘Awakening the Walls’ event – light, fire, sculpture, music and performers rouse the walls awake in a supernatural animation trail on and around the city walls, the largest Halloween street carnival parade and costume party in Europe and the marvellous firework finale over the River Foyle.
3. The Tempest: Ireland. Memory. Identity, Belfast, 10th-28th October. Carlisle Memorial Church plays host to excellence in this years’ Belfast International Arts Festival, as the high Victorian neo-Gothic building will display a significant exhibition by one of Ireland’s leading international artists, Hughie O’Donoghue. This exhibition of paintings, painted constructions and sculpture draw on the artist’s own experience and connections, people and places that he knew or knew of.
4. City of Derry International Choral Festival, 25-29 October. This choral music festival brings more than 60 choirs to Derry~Londonderry, hailing from countries across Europe.  A  celebration of all that choral singing has to offer, activities include concerts by world-renowned vocal groups, competitions for choirs, workshops and educational events for singers and conductors, community concerts and choral trails in landmark locations across Derry~Londonderry and the surrounding area.
5. Phantom Flyer Ghost Train, Downpatrick, 28-31 October. There is something strange coming to the Downpatrick & County Down Railway this Halloween. If you are brave enough to visit a graveyard on Halloween, join Merlin the Great Wizard on his haunted grotto train. On Halloween night there will also be a fireworks display after the last train in Downpatrick Town Centre. Tickets available from DownRail.co.uk.
6. Purple Turnip Festival, Lisburn, 28 October. Market Square welcomes the Purple Turnip Festival for its ninth year. The festival includes the terrific purple turnip hunt, free craft activities, an interactive light floor and the opportunity to get up close and personal with a wide range of exotic animals. This event is free and suitable for families.
7. Sleepy Hollow, Strabane, 26-28 October. The Arts Academy present to The Alley Arts & Conference Centre this year’s pantomime for a spooktacular Halloween. Arts academy students combine with talent from Tyrone, Derry and Donegal to produce a fantastic show of Sleepy Hollow fit for all ages. Tickets available from Alley-Theatre.com.
8. Jail of Horror, Crumlin Road Gaol, Belfast, 13-31 October. This year’s Halloween Programme is even bigger with both the ‘Jail of Horror’ and the ‘Paranormal Ghost Hunt’ taking place. The one-of-a-kind ‘Jail of Horror’ tour through Belfast’s oldest prison will offer a terrifying experience and is guaranteed to scare even the bravest of visitors. Book your ticket from CrumlinRoadGaol.com, if you dare.
9. Ghostly Slieve Gullion, Newry, Co. Down, 28 October. With the season of Halloween creeping over the Ring of Gullion the creatures of Slieve Gullion are beginning to awaken. Explore this magical forest trail if you dare as it is riddled with the Gullion’s witch, Calliagh Berra’s servants and underlings. Tours run from 12-4pm. Hotel Transylvania is also being shown from 12pm, tickets cost £5 and are available at the door.
10. Naturally North Coast & Glens Halloween Artisan Market, Ballycastle, 29 October. Experience this unique artisan market in the North Coast and Glens region of Northern Ireland. Market visitors will have every sense tantalised through the colourful art and crafts, the delicious smell and taste of fresh food produce and the sound of musicians providing a backdrop to the buzz of traders and customers chatting and laughing.

 

For more information on these events or to plan a short break in Northern Ireland, visit  www.DiscoverNorthernIreland.com.