Fright filled fun guaranteed at this years Spooks in the City

Newry BID's Spooks in the City programme will run in Newry from Saturday 24 October to Sunday 1 November, with family activities, live entertainment and fancy dress. Highlights on Halloween night, Saturday 31 October include a guided Trick or Treat Trail for children and Newry's Best Dressed Fancy Dress Competition taking place in 13 different nighttime venues.

The programme involves local shops, cafés, shopping centres and bars, with plenty of reasons for people to spend time in the city.

Newry's Best Dressed will give people the chance to show off their Halloween costumes on the evening of Saturday 31 October. Each participating venue will select its best dressed entrant, who will receive a £50 voucher funded by Newry BID. The selected entrants will then feature on Newry BID's Facebook page for a public vote. The person named Newry's Best Dressed will receive a further £250 in Newry BID vouchers, bringing their total prize to £300.

The venues taking part are Phoenix Bar, Catholic Workingman's Club, Cobbles, Brass Monkey, Magee's on the Quay, Ginger Jane's, Nan Rice's, Bridge Bar, The Bank, McSwiggans, McGuigan's, Canal Court and McCoy's. All of the hospitality outlets will have entertainment and lots of spooky fun.

Earlier in the day, the Trick or Treat Trail will take families on a storytelling adventure through the city. Children will follow clues, collect treats and help a little pumpkin called Pip find his missing Halloween glow. The trail finishes at Grounded with a babyccino or children's hot chocolate.

Four sessions will take place at 11am, 12 noon, 2pm and 3pm, with up to 20 children per session. Advance booking is required.

Eamonn Connolly, Newry BID Manager, said: "Halloween is a great opportunity to bring people into the city and give them plenty to enjoy while they're here. We want families to make a day of it, take part in the activities and visit our local shops and cafés.

"Our Trick or Treat Trail will be a lovely adventure for children, while Newry's Best Dressed will bring plenty of fun to the bars that evening."

The wider programme also includes a pumpkin trail, face painting, Sign, Rhyme & Shine at Newry Library, character appearances at Buttercrane, Halloween activities at The Quays, a craft event at Art Studio 23, live entertainment and pop-up performances from Newry Dance Academy.

The full downloadable programme and booking details are available on newry.com and social media channels.