Summary

  • Tens of thousands of people descended on Londonderry for one of the largest Halloween festivals in Europe

  • People from far and wide visited Northern Ireland's second city for the conclusion of the four-day carnival

  • It culminated in a parade through the city centre and a spectacular fireworks display on the riverfront

  1. Tens of thousands make Derry a ghost townpublished at 21:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Drones spell out "Derry" in the night sky
    Image caption,

    Drones spelt out "Derry" in the night sky

    That's it from our live page to mark Derry's famous Halloween festival which culminated, as always, with the parade and fireworks and, for the first time, a spectacular aerial drone display.

    Tens of thousands of people attended the final night of the four-day carnival, which has now become one of the biggest Halloween events anywhere in the world.

    They came from near and far to enjoy one of the spookiest shows on earth.

    More than 100,000 people have enjoyed the festivities since Saturday and, for those who couldn't make it, we hope we've given you a flavour of Halloween Derry-style.

    This live page was brought to you by Davy Wilson, Mike McBride, Dean McLaughlin, Gerry Bradley, Luke Sproule and Peter Hamill.

    That's it from us for now. Enjoy the rest of your night and stay safe.

  2. Firework finalepublished at 21:20 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    As always, four days of fun in Derry ends with a spectacular fireworks display.

    Fireworks exploding over Derry
  3. Drone delightpublished at 21:07 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    This year, for the first time, a drone display lit up the sky over the River Foyle.

    A pumpkin, a witch and this ghost were among the artworks which wowed the crowds.

    A ghost shape created by drones above Derry
  4. Watch: Four days of frights and freaks in Derrypublished at 20:53 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Media caption,

    The biggest Halloween party in Europe

  5. Making Halloween a family traditionpublished at 20:41 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Bradley Family as the IncrediblesImage source, Bradley Family

    One family from Derry takes dressing up for Halloween very seriously every year.

    Fineen and Michael Bradley, along with their children, have been dressing up in family-themed costumes for 18 years now.

    Bradley Family as oompa loompaImage source, Bradley Family

    They have been smurfs, Oompa Loompas, Ghostbusters and The Incredibles in previous years.

    Fineen Bradley says they hold family meetings every year before Halloween to discuss different costume ideas.

    “We dressed up our kids when they were younger and they just absolutely loved it so we kept doing it," she says.

    “Some of our kids are a lot older now and they’ll be dressing up their own kids for Halloween soon so the tradition will be passed down from generation to generation."

    Bradley Family as ghostbustersImage source, Bradley Family
  6. Little Anna makes her Halloween bowpublished at 20:29 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Amy Douglas (Angel), Sean (priest) and Anna McCarron (10 months) and Ashleigh Douglas
    Image caption,

    Amy Douglas (Angel), Sean (priest), Anna McCarron and Ashleigh Douglas

    It's 10-month-old Anna McCarron's first ever Derry Halloween.

    Dressed as Grogu from Disney's Mandalorian series, she is among the best-dressed in Guildhall Square.

    The group, who are from Dundee in Scotland as well as Derry, are hoping to get a quick bite to eat and then explore all the attractions on offer.

  7. 'It's a-me, Mario!'published at 20:17 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Jolene Heatly, Justin Turley, Daniel and Luke in derry at halloween

    Jolene Heatly, Justin Turley, Daniel and Luke travelled from Newry for tonight's festival finale.

    Jolene says the boys are "extremely excited about the parade and fireworks" as much as dressing up as the Mario cast.

  8. An environmentally friendly princesspublished at 20:07 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Poppy YoungImage source, The Young Family

    Poppy Young, who is eight, recently attended a Halloween swap shop event with her mum Cheryl.

    The swap shop, which was run through Derry City and Strabane District Council, was part of Recycling Week.

    People were asked to raid their wardrobes and attics for used Halloween costumes and props to donate to other people for Halloween.

    Cheryl said her daughter initially wanted to go as a witch but after seeing the beautiful princess dress decided to change her mind.

    “The swap shop was just such a great idea to reuse old costumes, we even got our neighbour’s kids some costumes for this year as well,” Cheryl says.

  9. Jedis beware: Mandalorians are herepublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Anne-Marie McLoughlin and Ethan Brady, from Enniskillen, are self-confessed Halloween superfans.

    They’re dressed as Mandalorians from Star Wars, so Jedis beware.

    They come to Derry every year dressed in elaborate costumes and each time hope to out-do their costume from the previous Halloween.

    They've celebrated Halloween in Derry up to 10 times and say nobody does it better.

    Anne-Marie Shows Anne-Marie McLoughlin and Ethan Brady dressed as Mandalorians from Star Wars
    Image caption,

    Anne-Marie McLoughlin and Ethan Brady are dressed as Mandalorians from Star Wars

  10. Watch the parade livepublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    And that's us up and running - the parade has begun and you can watch it live by clicking the play button at the top of this page.

    Things have started slightly later than expected - but the drone display is still due to go ahead at 20:20.

  11. Things running behindpublished at 19:41 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Events as big as the Derry Halloween finale have a lot of moving parts - and that seems to have contributed to a slight delay in the parade beginning.

    Things are due to get started very shortly - our live stream will be up and running as soon as the parade is under way.

  12. Derry's Day of the Deadpublished at 19:40 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Shows a couple with Day of the Dead masks, with the man on the left wearing a hat and cape and the woman on the right an umbrella
    Image caption,

    Day of the Dead for Sandra and Trevor McKeeman

    It's now Sandra and Trevor McKeeman's 10th year coming from Ballymoney to Derry.

    Their Day of the Dead outfits are going down a storm in the city.

    "People think we are part of the parade and we are happy to play along," Sandra told BBC News NI.

    "We absolutely love Halloween and there's no better place. The mood is electric."

  13. Extra-terrestrial TVpublished at 19:32 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Shows BBC Newsline reporter Keiron Tourish surrounded by children in fancy dress
    Image caption,

    BBC Newsline's Keiron Tourish does a live insert into the programme

    A crowd gathers to watch Keiron Tourish - dressed as a BBC Newsline reporter - deliver his piece-to-camera.

    Keiron is joined by skeletons, ghosts and ghouls who are all taking part in the parade, which is due to start shortly.

  14. Send in the clownspublished at 19:23 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Shows Mike dressed as a clown with a large hammer in his hand and Lalya dressed as a nun
    Image caption,

    Mike and Lalya are from Florida

    Nun Lalya and Mike the clown are from Florida in the United States.

    They've been touring Ireland and Derry is their final stop.

    "This is just unbelievable," Layla said.

    "We saw Derry's Halloween online and said we had to make it happen.

    "You don't see this in major cities in America. Derry should be so proud. Proud and scared of Mike."

  15. Stars of the showpublished at 19:14 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Norman Hagan and Jim Hill in jester costumes

    Norman Hagan and Jim Hill are both taking part in the parade.

    They’ve posed for countless selfies with bystanders and chatted with lots of people vying to get a premium viewing space to watch the show.

    Both Norman and Jim are hoping the huge crowds will be impressed with their performance - the self proclaimed stars of the show.

  16. Fire juggler helping to warm up crowdpublished at 19:00 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Some people waiting for the parade to start are being kept entertained by a fire juggler along the riverfront

    There are "oohs" and "ahhs" as the juggler swirls and throws his fire sticks up in the air and then catches them.

    Impressive as it is, it seems some people have gathered round to try and get some much- needed warmth on a cold night in Derry.

    Media caption,

    Crowds are entertained by a fire performer in Derry

  17. Grim Reaper captures wife's soulpublished at 18:50 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    It shows Anne Spybey with a face mask and top hat with skull and her husband Paul dressed as the Grim Reaper

    Paul and Anne Spybey are from Nottingham in England and are in Derry for a very special occasion - their 30th wedding anniversary.

    They are spending four days in Northern Ireland and wanted to soak up the sights and sounds of Derry Halloween as part of their anniversary.

    The couple say they love anything and everything spooky so could not have picked a better place to celebrate their pearl anniversary.

    Thankfully, their costumes are warm because they’ll have a bit of a wait at the barriers before the parade starts later this evening.

  18. A Dark Knight for Batmanpublished at 18:40 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    One of the costumes getting a lot of attention in Guildhall Square is that of Jack Finley's Batman.

    Jack, along with Marie Lafferty and Samantha McLucas, have travelled a short distance from County Donegal to be here tonight.

    They have been posing for photographs with people of all ages and enjoying the sights and sounds.

    The Caped Crusader says he is hoping for a crime-free evening and is looking forward to the Halloween parade later.

    Samantha Mc Lucas
    Image caption,

    L-R: Samantha Mc Lucas, Jack Finley (Batman) and Marie Lafferty (Joker)

  19. Sky's the limit for drone displaypublished at 18:32 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    Shows Mark Wingad and Nigel Lelew with some of their drones
    Image caption,

    L-R: Mark Wingad and Nigel Lelew will deliver a spectacular aerial drone display during the main event on Tuesday

    A hundred drones will take to the skies following the carnival parade to create a light show over the River Foyle.

    A variety of spooky Halloween-themed images will take shape in the sky.

    The drone pilots, Mark Wingad and Nigel Lelew, told BBC News NI the show was weather-dependent.

    "This will be the first of its kind for Derry and we are so excited to be here for Halloween," said Nigel.

    "We know there's a high bar when it comes to celebrating Halloween in Derry so we hope people love it.

    "Rain and electronics don't go well together and wind can be an issue for drones too. We are keeping an eye on the weather every five minutes. A call will be made at a certain point in the evening."

    Mark said: "We will be creating beautiful shapes in the sky and people are best watching from Queens Quay. We really can't give much more away."

  20. 'Nothing prepared us for this'published at 18:22 Greenwich Mean Time 31 October 2023

    'Nothing prepared us for this'

    John and Mechelle Charles have travelled all the way from Rayleigh in Essex to be here.

    They absolutely love Halloween and are experiencing the Derry Halloween Festival for the very first time.

    The couple say they have a friend from Derry who told them about just how seriously people take Halloween here, but say nothing quite prepared them for this.