Derry's City Centre will come to life this weekend as the portal to the other world is thrown open for Europe's biggest Halloween Festival.
With over 100,000 people expected to attend the four-day extravaganza, which runs from Friday, October 28 to Monday, October 31, ghosts and ghouls and other otherworldly creatures will take over the streets for one of the most popular times of the year in the city.
Visitors are advised to plan ahead to ensure they have all the information they need to assure a safe and hassle-free Halloween.
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Here's what you need to know if travelling into the Derry:
To ensure that everyone has the very best Halloween experience this year, Derry City and Strabane District Council has issued information to help avoid the queues, and access all the events over the weekend safely and easily.
A number of arrangements and closures have been put in place to ensure the safe delivery of the event, and everyone is being asked to plan ahead and follow the directions of stewards and police.
Motorists are advised to expect some delays and diversions in the City Centre during the four nights of the event. From Friday 28th, Saturday 29th, and Sunday 30th October City Centre road closures will operate from 2-10pm.
There will be a full road closure in the city centre in the following places:
- Shipquay Street
- Bank Place
- Union Hall Street
- Magazine Street
- Magazine Street Upper
- Butcher Street
- The Diamond, Shipquay Street
- Ferryquay Street
- Bishop Street within, London Street, Pump Street, Artillery Street
Meanwhile, there will be no City Centre on-Street parking with exception of Shipquay Street before 11am, while the same will apply for Foyle Street, Whittaker Street, Foyle Embankment Carriageway from its junction with Water Street to Harbour Square Roundabout from 4-10pm.
There will also be road closures in the Waterside area in the St Columb's Park Road area from 2-10pm. Visitors are advised that it is Residents Parking Only from the 28th to 30th October.
Public transport
Translink will run a shuttle bus service from the NW Transport Hub in the Waterside to Foyle Street throughout the Awakening the Walled City event.
A number of additional services within the City are also scheduled for Halloween night. For information on Translink bus and rail services to and from the city go HERE.
Festival and Events Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Jacqueline Whoriskey, said it was important for people to plan ahead. "We are expecting huge crowds for this year's festivities so I want to appeal to people to prepare in advance so they can get the most from their visit.
"This is an extensive walking trail spread over several kilometres so we are advising people to try to break their visit up over two evenings if possible, so they can enjoy the experience at their leisure. Comfy shoes are a must, and be weather ready!
"If possible we would advise using public transport to avoid the hassle of parking – we do have lots of public car parking but with the anticipated crowds a space isn't guaranteed.
"I would recommend downloading our Derry Halloween app – this will give you the lowdown on all that's going on and all the information you need to plan your journey.
"I would appeal to everyone to please follow the guidance of our stewards and the PSNI – they are there to keep the event running smoothly and everyone safe.
You can find all the details about traffic and travel and the full programme on derryhalloween.com.
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