Halloween Events
Halloween at Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
26th - 29th October from 6pm
With the spooky season upon us, gather your friendly & family along to step into the moonlight at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens to embark on the after-hours family trail.
Inspired by the Grimm fairy tales, the trail features storybook characters, perfectly captured by the performers from the renowned local theatre company Cahoots NI and Statement Events. Gather the stories for a magical trail that you won’t want to miss.
For more information and booking click here.
Ballyburren Spook & Pumpkin pick event
27th - 29th October, Ballyburren Outdoor Escapes
This year’s woodland trail is jam packed with creepy characters and fun filled activities, ready to get anyone into the Halloween spirit.
Witness the ancient witch who lives within the forest, casting spells with her bubbling cauldron. Showcase your creativity with the Halloween themed crafts including spider web, potion and wand making. Watch out for the spine-chilling pine cone spiders, looking in the darkness. Follow the scavenger hunt to find your very own pumpkins to take home, however beware of the goblin tricksters that you might see along your journey.
Fall into this year’s spooktacular outdoor trail at Ballyburren.
Find out more here.
Book tickets here.
Laganvale Farm Pumpkin Days
18th - 31st October
Looking for a pumpkin for this year’s Halloween festivities? Come along to Laganvale Farm. With pumpkins that come in all sizes and colours, pick your favourite pumpkin before scooping it out, decorating it however you imagine and then letting the friendly team finish the job.
The fun doesn’t stop there, embark on the creepy maize maze or listen in to the spooky story-telling. Along with the Halloween events, visit the animals and go-karts are also still avalible for everyone to enjoy.
Find out more here.
Streamvale Farm Halloween Date Nights
12th, 13th, 19th, 20th October
Looking for a cosy date night to celebrate the Halloween season? Get into spirit at the Pumpkin Patch. Choose your perfect pumpkin before carving onsite to make the most out of your romantic night. Cuddle up to the cute animals or be taking around by the tractor ride, for a spooky night with you and your loved one.
Find out more here.
Streamvale Farm Halloween Pumpkin Patch
7th - 31st October
This year’s Halloween Pumpkin Patch at Streamvale is back, with family fun activities that’ll get everyone into the Halloween spirit. With pumpkin picking and carving, to eliminate any pumpkin mess at home. Broomstick disco , spooky maze and a chance to meet the resident witches.
Cuddle times to keep the animals cosy this season as well as a tractor ride, will keep everyone entertained on this spooky day out.
Find out more here.
Blackberry Farm Autumn Festival
28th - 31st October
Creep into the zombie zone on the spooky trail and be rewarded with a pumpkin pick before carving it, making sure to create the spookiest face you can. Whether you are toast marshmallows around the fire pit or meeting the friendly animals at the farm, there is plenty of autumn fun to enjoy.
Profit from the events goes to the development of our Care Farm offering adults and children with additional needs opportunity to work and care for the animals for therapeutic benefits.
Find out more here.
Let's Go Hydro Horror Week at the Drive-In
20th October - 4th November
Cosy up in your car for the Dreaded Drive thru at Let’s Go Hydro. Keep your doors locked at this year’s screenings that showcases some Halloween classics including The Conjuring, Scream, The Shining and many more.
If that is too spine tingling for you, there are also screenings of Hocus Pocus, The Ghostbusters and The Witches to ease you in the spooky season.
Tickets and times available here.
Let's Go Hydro Pumpkin Patch and Spookfest
14th - 31st October
Experience the Halloween festivities at Let’s Go Hydro with an array of activities that will keep the spooky spirits up. Barrel train rides, pumpkin patch experience and a spooky walk beside the lake to soak up the autumn weather as well as the sweet treats of s’mores and hot chocolates to keep you toasty.
Get your tickets here.
Let's Go Hydro Halloween Night Fireworks Display
31st October, 5.30pm - 9pm
Are you looking for a spooctacular way to celebrate Halloween 2023?
Come along to the dazzling firework display eliminating the lake, along with attractions for the whole family including children’s entertainment, live music and food trucks to make the most out of your special evening.
Get your tickets here.
Autumn Activities
Autumn at Hillsborough Castle & Gardens
30th September - 29th October
From a fantastical scarecrow display to arts and crafts workshops, celebrate autumn with family fun activities at Hillsborough Castle and Gardens.
Scarecrow Parade - 30th September - 12th November
Wonder Weekends - Hibernating Hedgehogs 8th October
Autumn Storytelling walks - 14th October
Make and take Scarecrow Hats - 21st October
Family Fun Castle Tours - 28th & 29th October
Find out more here.
Autumn Fair at Ballance House
Saturday 7th October, 12-4pm
Autumn family fun event at The Ballance House on Saturday 7th October, 12 - 4 pm. The Ballance House is a unique historical venue in the Glenavy countryside, well worth a visit!
What's happening at the Autumn Fair?
- Special musical guests: Lisburn Ukes & Glenavy Accordion Band
- Craft Fair
- Book Sale
- Guided House & Exhibition tours
- Local apple varieties, apple juice and cookbook for sale
- Magician shows from L'il Magic
- Free kids’ apple-themed crafting activities
- Home baking in the Tea Barn
- Disabled access, free car parking, well-behaved dogs welcome!
Join a guided tour of the House and Ulster-New Zealand Exhibition to find out who John Ballance was and hear about his many achievements including helping to secure the vote for women.
Numbers on tours restricted so book in on arrival!
Adults £3.50, U-14 £1.50 & U-5 free. All proceeds go the upkeep of The Ballance House.
Find out more here.
Inns Cross Markets
7th October & 4th November, 10am - 2pm
Inns Cross Market is a great place to start buying your food locally and getting to know local producers in a friendly environment.
They pride themselves on being an authentic farmers' market supporting local primary and artisan producers. All their producers pride themselves on growing their own ingredients and/or sourcing from quality local producers.
They also have a few non-food vendors with natural skincare and craft who fit with the artisan and sustainable living ethos.
Find out more here.
The Aberdelghy Trail
15th October, 2pm
Enjoy the landscape in our local area by tackling the Aberdelgy Trail this autumn. Meet at Island Civic Centre at the main door before embarking on this walk around the more undiscovered areas of the park as well as learning about the natural history.
Find out more here.
NI Cross Country Event
21st October, Billy Neill MBE Country Park
This year’s annual NI & Ulster Even Age Group Championships and Bobby Rea Cross Country will once again host the Northern Ireland International Cross Country. On its 46th year, the International Cross Country is supported by Lisburn & Castlereagh City Council and will once again be part of the World Athletics Silver Cross Country Tour for the fourth consecutive season.
This race is held annually in memory of the former Chairman of the Athletics Northern Ireland, Bobby Rea. The race is also one of the fixtures that are part of the Athletics NI Cross Country League.
Alongside the event, there will be a range of age group races for children aged 8 and up as the NI & Ulster Even Age Group Championships, giving runners the opportunity to win their national and regional Championships and qualify to the All-Ireland Championships later in the year.
Positive Aging Month
Monday 2nd October – Tuesday 31st October
Irish Linen Centre and ISLAND Arts Centre are delighted to be running the events of this year’s Positive Aging Month, supported by Councillor Thomas Beckett, Communities & Wellbeing Chairman. This year’s theme is “Know Our Place” to promote local activities, building relationships within the community. This month is dedicated to give thanks and recognise the role older people play within the community. With events focusing on culture including walking tours and silver screening. Health & Wellbeing with classes in yoga, archery and indoor bowl for the new or experienced. Also there will be educational talks on topic from financial advice to cyber security.
