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For the third year running there will be no Council organised event in Newry for Halloween with Newry, Mourne and Down District Council funding events from community groups throughout the district instead.
It leaves a large gap in the city's celebrations, one that local community organisations have tried their best to fill but a large scale Halloween event in Newry is still missing.
It has been 9 years since Council played host to a concert with a fireworks display on Halloween night in the district's only City. In recent years events have happened a few days before or after Halloween akin we would suggest to holding Christmas Day on the 26th of December.
2019 saw the Twilight Market followed by a fireworks display. 2018 saw the fleeting City of Merchants festival host an amazing parade followed by a fireworks display while in 2017 the festival had live music on a floating stage at the Albert Basin followed by fireworks - but a month earlier on 30 September!. Last time the celebrations were held on Halloween was 2013 when a large crowd watch Jimmy Buckley, The Nooks, The Housem8s and others on a floating stage at the Albert Basin followed by a spectacular evening of fireworks. A youthful Nathan Carter also played on Halloween night in 2012 at McClelland Park.
This year Council have instead funded local groups throughout the district. A Council spokesperson explained "This year Newry, Mourne and Down District Council has approved funding to support a wide range of local community groups, charities, sports groups and development associations to deliver Halloween events across the district for the benefit of local communities, businesses and visitors."
Council are hosting Footsteps in the Forest from 27-31 October at Slieve Gullion but tickets are already sold out.
Locally Bosco Drama Group present The Addams Family from 25-28 October in Newry Town Hall. Sticky Fingers have organised the Wacky Witches Halloween Parade, 29 October and Newry Museum are hosting arts and craft and storytelling sessions. Newry BID have produced the augmented reality Totally Spooking Out on 29 October.
Community associations are hosting their own events. On 30 October Greater Linenhall Community Association are hosting a Fireworks Display in Mourneview Park while Threeways Community Association are hosting a drive in cinema at 6pm at North Street Car Park.
Check www.newry.ie/events to see what's on in the district and if your event isn't included click Add your Event
