Halloween 2016: Derry - Londonderry hosts "record breaking" carnival

The 30th annual Halloween Carnival in Derry - Londonderry has been branded a success by organisers.

The City of Bones’ Hallowe’en festivities came to a close last night with a fireworks display that lit up the River Foyle.

Around 30,000 people lined the streets to watch the ‘Out of this World’ carnival as it made its way along the banks of the river.

Derry City and Strabane District Council say the four-day festival was the “most successful yet”, attracting an estimated 80,000 people into the city.

These festival-goers say it's the local people that make it so special:

Crowds gathered in the city and in Strabane in full costume to enjoy performances by street walkabout creatures Saurus and energetic street performances from Spark!, as well as ghost tours, storytelling, arts and crafts and street animation.

Other highlights over the weekend included the Awakening of the Walls when the City Walls came to life with music, animation and light, creating a fantasy of fire and flame, the spooky organ recitals at the Guildhall, a Spooky Halloween panto at Strabane’s Alley Theatre and family entertainment at the Craft Village and the Strabane Community Library.

Incredible firework finale to bring an end to the Halloween celebrations in Derry tonight @goQradio pic.twitter.com/YD0uCxirVR

— Rebekah Logan (@Rebekah_Logan) October 31, 2016

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council Alderman Hilary McClintock said:

“This year’s Halloween celebrations have once again been a phenomenal success with record breaking numbers coming out to be part of the spectacle.

“No one does Halloween like us and we definitely deserve our Best Halloween Destination in the World title.

"The carnival parade was truly amazing, and showcased the wealth of local talent and creativity this cityand district has to offer with over up to 600 local children and community groups taking part in what was, in my opinion, the best carnival parade the city has seen.

“The festival had a real family focus and there was so much to do in the run up to and during the festival to keep children entertained and to get everyone involved in celebrating this unique event. I felt very proud to be part of it.”

The PSNI said the Halloween Festival passed off peacefully, however 12 arrests were made later in the evening.

Seven people were arrested for assaults including common and assault occasioning bodily harm (AOBH), while a further five were detained for disorderly behaviours.

A PSNI spokesperson said:

"Bearing in mind the number of revellers this is nothing out of the ordinary. Police described the atmosphere as good with most people in very good spirits."