Here are ten exciting things to do 14 – 20 October
- Belfast International Arts Festival, 16 October – 26 November. Belfast International Arts Festival returns for its 62nd edition this October, bringing together today’s leading artists, writers, thinkers and cultural observers for an extended bumper five weeks of entertaining and enlightening talks, readings, exhibitions and performance from home and abroad. Fresh from its hugely successful off-Broadway run, The Vanishing Elephant by Cahoots, an epic tale of friendship and adventure that features extraordinary on-stage puppetry and magical illusion, takes to the stage at the Grand Opera House from 31 October – 2 November.
- Royal Ulster Academy’s Annual Exhibition at the Ulster Museum, Belfast, 18 October – 6 January. The exhibition provides a unique platform for acclaimed artists and emerging talent to showcase their artwork. You can expect to see the full range of visual arts represented from painting, sculpture and audiovisual works to ceramics, textiles and mixed media. Alongside artworks by the RUA Academicians, there will be work on display by 200 artists from all over the world, selected through open submission.
- Creepy Campfire Tales at W5, Belfast, 12 October – 3 November. W5 is conjuring up an experience like no other this Halloween season, transforming their state-of-the-art AMAZE space into a spine-chilling campsite deep within an ancient forest. Get ready to immerse yourself in a world where every shadow holds a secret, and every whisper in the dark could be something… or someone… just beyond the reach of the firelight.
- Maxwell’s Pumpkin Patch, Castlederg, County Tyrone, 12,13,19,20,26,27,28,29,30 October. Dust off your wellies, grab a wheelbarrow, and let your little munchkins explore. A unique, fun-filled outdoor family activity where you can pick your perfect pumpkin and get into the Halloween spirit.
- Strabane Halloween Hay Bale Sculpture Trail, various locations, County Tyrone, 17 – 31 October. Unearth a host of spooky characters rising from the rural landscape as you follow the eerie trail through the district. From Castlederg to Bready, Newtownstewart to Strabane, catch sightings of scary witches, creepy spiders and weird and wonderful creatures created by the wonderful community.
- Granda Ben’s BOO Trail at Todd’s Leap, Ballygawley, County Tyrone, until 31 October. Come along to Granda Ben’s ‘BOO’ Trail this October as it’s transformed into a Halloween Hunt. Explore their Ethical Zoo Trail, trek through forests on your Fun Halloween Hunt, find all the dinosaur gravestones, make a potion in the witch’s kitchen, make your way through the spider’s web maze and so much more.
- Apple Sundays at Ardress House, Annaghmore, County Armagh, 20 October. Set in the middle of orchard county, this is the ideal location to hear all about Armagh’s famous apples and have some family fun. Have a go on the apple press and taste some local cider. You will also have the chance to pick some apples from the local orchard (limited availability).
- Martel’s Candlelight Tour at Marble Arch Caves, Florencecourt, County Fermanagh, 19 October. Experience the thrill of this historic exploration first-hand as you accompany Martel in an authentic re-enactment of his groundbreaking discovery of the show cave, as it was over 128 years ago. With the electric lights switched off, you’ll journey underground through the cave’s natural darkness, guided solely by candlelight and lanterns.
- Roe Valley Speciality Market, Limavady, County Londonderry, 19 October. If you love local fresh food, quirky handmade crafts, fine art, and speciality products, visit a Speciality Market day at Drumceatt Square, Limavady’s only communal public square. This lovely central outdoor space is next to the Roe Valley Arts and Cultural Centre in the centre of Limavady town, conveniently located for exploring. Dogs are welcome provided they are on a lead, and entry to the market is free.
- The Demon Head Gardener’s Ghoulish Gathering: Halloween trail at Rowallane Garden, Saintfield, County Down, 19 October – 3 November. There have been some strange happenings at Rowallane Garden. A few new faces have started to appear after the Demon Head Gardener put a call out for help around the garden. Monsters, ghosts and ghouls straight out of your nightmares have answered the call.
For more information on what’s on, or to plan your next giant adventure in Northern Ireland, visit discovernorthernireland.com. Keep a look out for additional dates of the above events throughout the year.