Halloween is coming, and the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat; If you haven't got a penny, then a ha'penny will do; If you haven't got a ha'penny, one of our 'Top Five Events This Halloween' will do...

Halloween Monster Mash

The Halloween Monster Mash returns to Titanic Belfast on Sunday, 30 October, offering an evening of spooktacular street theatre, macabre music and the largest fireworks display in the city.
Hosted by Belfast City Council the free event begins at 4pm with the closing fireworks display shortly before 7pm.
This years theme is 'Movie Blockbusters', with a fleet of famous movie cars on show, including a DeLorean (Back to the Future), Ecto 1 (Ghostbusters), Bumblebee (Transformers) and even the General Lee (Dukes of Hazzard). Look-alike 'Harry' and 'Hagrid' characters will perform a scene from Harry Potter live on stage and local young dancers will perform a high-energy Ghostbusters routine.
The council promises "a show stopping good time is guaranteed with live music from The Unusual Suspects; spooky on stage music quizzes, street theatre, dastardly dragon puppets, breath taking fire shows, crafty workshops, fearsome face painting and mini fairground rides".
Monsters, ghouls, goblins, vampires and witches of all ages are encouraged to don their best big screen or creepiest Halloween costumes to be in the frame to win fangtastic prizes on the night.
There will also be a range of hot food, soft drinks, toys, sweet treats and more on sale from a range of traders.
Belfast's largest fireworks display will provide a jaw-dropping cinematic finale at 6.45pm, accompanied by blockbuster theme tunes including Mission Impossible, Star Wars, Flash Gordon, Jaws and Ghostbusters!
In association with Translink a free 'ghost shuttle buses' will depart from Chichester Street, outside SS Moore's, every 15 minutes from 3.45pm until 6.15pm and will drop off on Queen's Road. Return buses will leave the Paint Hall, Queen's Road from 7pm, dropping off at Donegall Square West, Belfast city centre. The last bus will leave the Paint Hall at approximately 7.45pm.
More information on the event, taking place on Sunday, 30 October, can be found here and at the Belfast Welcome Centre.

Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival

Voted the Best Halloween Destination in the World by USA Today, L'Derry takes its commitment to celebrating Halloween very seriously, and 2016 marks the world renowned street carnival's 30th anniversary.
Confidently hailed as the biggest Halloween parade in Europe the city also warns that the crazy costumes that pass through the City at this time of the year are not for the faint-hearted!
Events and activities begin on Thursday, 27 October, with the big parade and fireworks finale on Monday, 31 October.
"Halloween is also the perfect time of the year to visit Londonderry's best historical attractions – such as a stroll along the freakishly famous City walls, or a visit to the Neo-Gothic Guildhall," Derry City & Strabane District Council said.

Hallowtides Festival

From Friday 28 until Monday, 31 October, Newcastle, Co Down, will host the Hallowtides Festival.
Families are encouraged to get into town early to participate in the annual Treasure Hunt, this creepy mission will be hours of fun lurking around the streets of Newcastle to find the anticipated treasure trove.
Events include:
Friday 28 October The Rocky Horror Picture Show - Interactive screening in Newcastle Community Cinema at 19:00. Tickets £12.00
Twilight Mourne Markets - Arts, Crafts & Food: This will run Friday to Monday at Unit T, Railway Street, Newcastle.
Haunted House: in the Newcastle Centre, Central Promenade, Newcastle. For less scary: Saturday 10:00 - 12 noon, Sunday 14:00 - 15:00 and Monday 12 noon - 14:00 Not for the faint hearted: Saturday 10:00 - 17:00, Sunday 14:00 - 17.30 and Monday 12 noon - 21:30. Admission £2.00 per person.
Monday 31 October Fancy Dress Competition with cracking prizes.
Float Parade will make its way from the Slieve Donard Resort & Spa at 18:30 travelling along Main Street to the Festival Stage feature floats from local schools, community and sports groups along with animated stilt walkers, fancy dress and terrifying characters.
Cool FM Roadshow with Paulo Ros: 17:00 until 20:00.
Fireworks Display - Watch the Newcastle skies come alight with a thrilling fireworks display at 19.45. Spectators are encouraged to make their way to the promenade early for the best view of this enchanting light and sound show.
MourneQuest - a new and exciting fun fill event for children in Tollymore Forest Park from 11:00 - 16:00 with scavenger hunt, pumpkin golf and much, much more.
More information on the events can be found at visitmournemountains.co.uk.

The Ghost of Halloween

A special Halloween event for families, the Ghost of Halloween, is taking place at Narrow Water Keep, Warrenpoint.
Created by the award-winning Sticky Fingers Arts group The Ghost of Halloween is the next exciting chapter in the Giant's lair- storybook trails and is a haunting magical fairytale set within the castle grounds where fairies, witches and trolls may hide, playing tricks, making spells and pumpkin pies.
The show is a spectacular outdoor and interactive performance set on the stunning and mystical grounds of one of Ireland's oldest castles.
Commenting on the show, Sticky Fingers Arts said: "The performance will take you on an fairytale adventure through a magic woodland with witches, trolls and where the fairies come to play. Meet the forest keeper and be careful not to stray as you never know who may be lurking within the forest.
"This is event has been especially created for a family audience and is recommended for children from 2 years to 12 years but will appeal to all young and old."
The event runs from Saturday, 29 until Monday, 31 October, with performances at 10.30am, 12.30pm and 4.30pm. You are advised to "dress for mess".
Sticky Fingers Arts.

The Jungle NI 'Fright Nights'

Previously voted 'Best Unique Outdoor Experience' by Outdoor NI, the Jungle NI have announced of Fright Night.
This year's Fright Night will see the return of the original 'Woodland Trail', but with an entirely new route created with lights, special effects, new sets and some horrible creatures. Sure to satisfy the Fright Night devotees and the newbies looking for a good scare.
As well as the original "Woodland Trail", 5 of last year's attractions will also be returning, including: The Circus; Freaky Forest; Hellish Hay Cart; Inbred Horror House; Cornfield. Each will have some new twists and effects added.
The Maize Maze will also reopen, but this year there will no costumed characters to get in your way, just 10 acres of dead ends, lights and horrible sounds to get lost in. Zombie paintball will also open again but without real zombies – though still with sound and light show.
On top of all this, Cullen's will also bring their funfair to the Jungle NI for the first time, joining a number of adrenaline rides and funfair games, plus the Zombie Rodeo Bull will be back in action and perhaps even some Hatchet throwing...
The events run throughout the month until Monday, 31 October, and more information and booking is available here.