Image source, DCSDC

We’re bringing down the curtain on our live page from Derry’s famous Halloween celebrations which came to a close with a stunning display of pyrotechnics over the River Foyle.

Organisers says around 30,000 people were in the city tonight – and more than 100,000 over the last four days – for one of the world’s biggest Halloween parties.

If you weren’t in the city centre but watched with us we hope you enjoyed the flavour of Halloween Derry-style.

This live page was brought to you by Gerry Bradley, Peter Hamill, Laura McDaid, Ashleigh Swan and Davy Wilson.

Good night, stay safe and take care.

There’s media from all around the world in Derry for the festival, including Gabe Saglie.

He’s a senior editor with Travelzoo, based in California.

And as you can't come to Derry for Halloween without dressing up, Gabe is also the tonic to his videographer son Gabriel's gin.

Halloween, he says, is a “big event in the States”.

“But not so much in the form of parades or festivals that last a few days – that’s what makes this so interesting and so fascinating,” Gabe says, adding that he is a big fan of Derry’s “food and drink”.

“Seeing how different pubs and eateries celebrate and lean into the holiday will be an amazing amount of fun – and I hear some amazing things about the fireworks display.”

We've dipped into the BBC archives to see how the city celebrated Halloween almost 30 years ago back in 1995.

Ballymoney couple Sandra and Trevor McKeeman are no strangers to a Derry Halloween - they've been coming to the city for more than 20 years.

And each and every year their costumes don't disappoint.

"We wouldn’t miss it, it’s just such a friendly, happy place to be," Trevor says.

"Even though we have to get back up the road for work in the morning, it’s worth every minute."

Caroline, Michael and their three-year-old daughter Eloise have travelled over from London with their friends Lianna and Emiliano.

“We’ve been doing this for four years now in different parts of the UK, from the Wales to the Isle of Skye, but Derry is by far the best so far,” said Caroline, aka for the night Cruella.

“When we started doing it, Eloise was in my belly, now here she is, three years old and absolutely loving it!”

The friends have been in the city since Saturday.

Emiliano, originally from Italy, said the candlelight concert was a high point. “It was just so good, the music, the atmosphere - but every day there have been things to see and do. This place is great for children and we just love how the people of Derry embrace Halloween!”

We are up and running - the parade has begun and you can watch it live by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

The fireworks finale is due to get under way at 20:15.

Image source, dcsdc

More than 600 participants will take part in the festival parade that gets underway shortly.

Organisers say that - and the fireworks later - are a fabulous and fitting way to round off the Halloween celebrations.

"The finale sees a really wonderful spectacle here in the city," Aideen McCarter of Derry and Strabane council says.

The festival, she added, brings "millions of pounds into the local economy and we see well over 100,000 visitors here if not more – these visitors are coming back year after year".

Thankfully, it looks like revellers in the north west will be able to enjoy the parade - which kicks off in about 10 minutes' time - and the spectacular fireworks display just over an hour later without an umbrella.

The forecast is cloudy, but mainly dry as ghouls and ghosts take over the city.

It will be suitably eerie with a bit of mist and it will be relatively mild throughout the day and evening.

Charlotte has travelled from Yorkshire with her husband Andy and son Lennon.

“I’ve been coming here since I was my son’s age because my relatives are here,” says Charlotte.

“For me I have lovely memories of Halloween here, so it’s great to be able to come back with Lennon. He’s loving it, although trying to get him to sleep will be fun as he’s full of sugar and so excited!”

Image source, dcsdc

The Awakening the Walled City Trail is among the festival’s centrepiece attractions.

It brings magic and mischief to the city’s walls – built in the early 17th century – and retells the story of Halloween through performance, pyrotechnics and music.

Image source, DCSDC

The walls have also played host to a witchy wonderland over the last few days.

Some of the city's best known buildings have been transformed by light shows and animation and events have been running right across the city.

Image source, dcsdc

At Ebrington there’s the Elemental Garden, a world of light and fire, while at new gate in the Fountain there’s a back to the Future experience.

And there’s been community led events in the city right across the festival run.

Image source, dcsdc

Migle Porvaneckyte is from Lithuania.

She saw how Derry does Halloween on social media and had to see it for herself.

"I saw pictures of Derry at Halloween on Instagram and decided I had to come and experience it, it’s amazing," she says.

"I’ve just been exploring the city, taking in the party atmosphere and the beautiful architecture."

There’s a throng of international visitors in Derry this week and among them are the Roqueta family from St Etienne in France.

They’ve loved soaking up the sights, sounds and party atmosphere since arriving.

The family have never been before but have loved every minute of their five-day stay.

Donna, Dermot and Tiernan Donaghy have travelled from Carrickmore in County Tyrone to be here.

They are Derry Halloween festival first-timers and have come dressed for the occasion.

‘We’ve never been to Derry at Halloween before but always wanted to come,” Donna says.

“Tiernan is so excited about the fireworks.”

Over the four-day Halloween festival's run, it is estimated close to 100,000 people will have visited Derry.

A crowd of around 30,000 alone is expected in the city centre tonight for the closing parade and fireworks.

So how did Derry become such a Halloween hotspot?

One tale goes that it all started in a city centre pub way back in the 1980s and to when a canny publican wanted punters to come ready to party in fancy dress on Halloween night.

That Halloween night, the bar – and the street -filled with cavemen, more than one incredible Hulk, a few Ronald Reagans and a Margaret Thatcher or two.

And the rest, to coin a phrase, is history...

Image source, DCSDC

Image source, DCSDC

With such large crowds expected in the city this evening, Derry and Strabane Mayor Lillian Seenoi-Barr appealed to everyone to plan ahead and stay safe.

“To cope with the huge influx of people expected in and around our city centre, a number of measures have been introduced to manage the numbers,” she says.

“I would ask people to access the trail maps and to follow all signage.

“For those travelling to and from the event by car, please familiarise yourself with the traffic and travel advice and consider public transport or active travel to help reduce congestion in and around our city centre.

“Also please cooperate fully with stewards and the PSNI who will be there to ensure your safety.

“We all have a responsibility to safeguard those around us and to make sure our behaviour doesn’t put others at risk.”

The main Halloween parade leaves Queens Quay car park at 19:00.

It goes along Queens Quay and onto Strand Road, Harbour Square Roundabout, Foyle Embankment. Water Street, Harbour Square Roundabout, Queens Quay and back to the car park.

Police are asking drivers to leave plenty of time for their journeys this evening.

There will be a number of road closures in the city centre on Thursday between 16:00 and 22:00 GMT.

Image source, DCSDC

These include Shipquay Street, Magazine Street, Butcher Street, The Diamond, Ferryquay Street, Bishop Street within Society Street, London Street, Pump Street, Artillery Street, Fountain Street and Hawkin Steet.

Queens Quay and Upper Strand Road will be closed from 18:00 to accommodate the parade.

The Peace Bridge will be closed from 19:00 in advance of the fireworks and will reopen shortly before 21:00.

Foyle Street remains closed due to ongoing work.

Image source, DCSDC

Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of the finale of Derry and Strabane’s four-day Halloween festival.

You will be able to watch the carnival parade through the city followed by a fireworks display at the riverfront.

Tens of thousands of people are expected for what has become one of the largest Halloween festivals in the world.

We'll be bringing you updates - including all the best photos - throughout the night.