Belfast is one of the best cities in Ireland for a Halloween break.

You've got family-friendly science shows, spooky museums, Halloween cinema, historic prisons, ghostly stories and plenty of indoor attractions if the October weather decides not to cooperate.

Whether you're visiting with younger children, teenagers or looking for something genuinely scary after dark, there is plenty happening around Belfast during Halloween and the October half-term in 2026.

Here are some of the best things to do in Belfast this Halloween 2026.

1. Halloween at W5

Where: W5, Belfast Dates: 17 October – 1 November 2026

W5 is going all-in on Halloween this year with a programme designed for the whole family.

Visitors can enter the Halloween House, explore the spooky surroundings of Spooky Square and help Boo Ghost recover missing items before the Halloween Festival can begin.

There will also be Halloween mask-making, creepy characters, dress-up activities and the Pumpkins & Potions live science show.

Even W5's huge Climbit structure is getting a Halloween makeover with a glowing pumpkin arch, skeletons and spooky creatures.

Best of all, the Halloween activities are included with general admission.

Best for: Families and children who like Halloween without anything too frightening.

2. W5 Halloween Family Night

Date: 28 October 2026 Time: 6pm–9pm

For something a little more special, W5 is also staying open after dark for its Halloween Family Night.

Families can dress up and explore the attraction while taking part in trick-or-treat stations, Halloween games, spooky science and other surprises.

Tickets are currently listed at:

Children: £15 Adults: £10 Toddlers: £5

This could be one of the better options for families visiting Belfast during half-term who want a full evening activity rather than just a daytime attraction.

3. Try W5's Halloween Quiet Session

Date: 25 October 2026 Time: 10am–12pm

W5 is also running a dedicated Halloween Quiet Session for visitors who would benefit from a calmer environment.

Admissions are limited, sound levels are reduced where possible and visitors have access to quieter spaces.

The full Halloween programme is still available, including Spooky Square, mask-making, science activities and the Pumpkins & Potions show.

Carers can attend free with a paying child, with proof of carer status required.

This is a really useful option for families with children who may find a busy Halloween attraction overwhelming.

4. Dare to Enter the Jail of Horror

Where: Crumlin Road Gaol

If you're looking for something properly scary, this is the one.

The historic Crumlin Road Gaol is transformed into the Jail of Horror for Halloween 2026.

Visitors make their way through the old Victorian prison while encountering darkness, live scares and sinister surprises along the route.

This is definitely not one for nervous younger children.

Tickets are listed at £20 per person, and all tickets need to be purchased online in advance.

The setting alone makes it one of Belfast's most atmospheric Halloween experiences.

5. Take a Paranormal Tour of Crumlin Road Gaol

If jump scares aren't your thing but you still want something eerie, look out for paranormal tours and investigations at Crumlin Road Gaol.

The former prison has a long history and is regularly associated with stories of unexplained activity.

Special paranormal tours take place throughout the year, with Halloween naturally being one of the most atmospheric times to visit.

It's a very different experience from the Jail of Horror and is better suited to visitors interested in history, ghost stories and the building itself.

6. Watch a Halloween Movie with Cinemagic

Dates: 26–31 October 2026 Locations: Various venues around Belfast

The 37th Cinemagic Film Festival is running special Halloween screenings throughout the final week of October.

The programme runs from Monday 26 to Saturday 31 October, with screenings taking place at several locations across Belfast.

This is a great option if the weather turns miserable or you want something relaxed after a busy day exploring the city.

Keep an eye on the final film schedule as Halloween gets closer.

7. Visit the Ulster Folk Museum at Halloween

Dates: 29–31 October 2026

Just outside Belfast, the Ulster Folk Museum is putting on a special Halloween programme across three days.

Visitors can expect traditional activities including:

• Mask-making
• Mumming
• Crafts
• A murder mystery
• Halloween-themed storytelling and activities

The folk museum is already a brilliant place for families, and Halloween gives the recreated historic buildings an even more atmospheric feel.

It is particularly good if you want something connected with older Irish and Ulster traditions rather than a modern scare attraction.

8. Explore Belfast's Halloween Monster Trail

Belfast city centre has become known in recent years for its colourful Halloween monsters appearing on buildings around the shopping streets.

Previous Halloween programmes have included huge animated creatures, giant tentacles and a family-friendly monster trail through the city centre.

The full 2026 city-centre Halloween programme is still developing, so it is worth checking closer to October for confirmation of returning installations and trails.

Even without a formal trail, the central shopping area is a good place to wander during Halloween because much of Belfast's seasonal entertainment tends to concentrate around Donegall Place, City Hall and the surrounding streets.

9. Spend Halloween Around Belfast City Hall

Where: Donegall Square

Belfast City Hall sits right in the centre of the city and makes a good starting point for a Halloween day out.

The historic building offers free visitor exhibitions, while guided tours are available throughout the week.

The surrounding city-centre streets put you within easy walking distance of shops, cafés, restaurants and other attractions.

From here you can easily continue towards Victoria Square, Cathedral Quarter or St George's Market.

10. Take a Spooky Walk Through Belfast

Belfast has plenty of history, which naturally means plenty of darker stories too.

Create your own evening walk through areas including:

• Cathedral Quarter
• Crumlin Road
• Belfast City Hall
• Donegall Square
• High Street
• Entries and alleyways around the city centre

Several organised ghost walks and historic tours also operate around Belfast.

Even if you don't book a tour, exploring the older streets after dark gives the city a completely different feel.

11. Explore Cathedral Quarter After Dark

The Cathedral Quarter is one of Belfast's most atmospheric areas.

Cobblestone streets, murals, narrow lanes and old buildings make it particularly good for an autumn evening wander.

For adults, it is also one of the best areas in Belfast for pubs and live music.

If you're visiting without children, you could combine a spooky tour or Halloween attraction with dinner and drinks around Cathedral Quarter afterwards.

12. Spend a Rainy Halloween Day at Titanic Belfast

Not every half-term day needs to involve ghosts.

If the weather turns properly awful, Titanic Belfast is one of the best indoor attractions in the city.

The interactive exhibition tells the story of Belfast's shipbuilding industry and the construction, launch and fate of Titanic.

It is right beside the Titanic Slipways and SS Nomadic, so you can easily spend several hours around the Titanic Quarter.

And because W5 is nearby, the two attractions can be combined into one full family day.

13. Visit Belfast Zoo

For a break from the spooky stuff, head to Belfast Zoo.

Set high above the city on Cave Hill, the zoo is home to animals from around the world and offers brilliant views over Belfast.

Late October also means autumn colours around the grounds.

Check the zoo's events calendar closer to Halloween, as seasonal activities are often added around school holidays.

14. Walk Cave Hill

If you get a dry autumn day, Cave Hill is one of the best free things to do in Belfast.

The hill rises above the city and provides some of the best views across Belfast Lough and beyond.

There are several walking options depending on your fitness and how far you want to go.

Older children may enjoy combining the walk with a visit to nearby Belfast Castle.

Just remember that conditions can be muddy and exposed in October, so proper footwear is a good idea.

15. Visit Belfast Castle

Belfast Castle sits on the slopes of Cave Hill and makes an easy combination with a woodland walk.

The Scottish Baronial-style building and surrounding gardens look particularly atmospheric during autumn.

Even if you don't spend long inside, the grounds are worth exploring.

And with Cave Hill towering above, it feels a long way from the city centre despite being only a short drive away.

16. Try a Pumpkin Patch Near Belfast

If Halloween isn't complete without pumpkin picking, there are several seasonal farms and pumpkin patches within driving distance of Belfast.

Many offer more than simply choosing a pumpkin, with attractions often including:

• Halloween trails
• Farm animals
• Games
• Food
• Photo opportunities
• Seasonal entertainment

Book ahead for the final two weekends of October because the most popular times can sell out.

17. Check Out Belfast's Halloween Sports Programme

Belfast leisure centres are running special Halloween holiday programmes for children aged five to 14 during October 2026.

Activities are expected to include sports such as:

• Football
• Athletics
• Tennis
• Fencing

This could be particularly useful for local families looking for something active during the school break rather than another full day of Halloween attractions.

18. Catch the Halloween Box Cup

Where: Girdwood Community Hub When: October 2026

Belfast is also hosting the annual Halloween Box Cup.

The international amateur boxing tournament attracts hundreds of boxers from around the world, with several days of competition across multiple rings.

It's obviously not a traditional Halloween activity, but it is a major event taking place during the break and could appeal to sports-loving families.

19. Visit St George's Market

If the weather is grim, head indoors to St George's Market.

The historic covered market is one of Belfast's best weekend attractions.

You'll find food stalls, local products, crafts and plenty of places to grab something to eat.

It works particularly well as part of a relaxed autumn weekend, especially if you're already staying in the city centre.

20. Make a Halloween Weekend of It

Belfast works brilliantly for a one or two-night family break because so many attractions are relatively close together.

A Halloween weekend could look something like this:

Day One

Morning – Titanic Belfast Afternoon – Halloween at W5 Evening – Dinner in Cathedral Quarter

Day Two

Morning – Belfast Zoo or Cave Hill Afternoon – City centre and St George's Market Evening – Halloween cinema or family event

For adults or families with older teenagers, swap the family activities for Jail of Horror at Crumlin Road Gaol.

Halloween in Belfast With Younger Children

For younger children, I'd focus on:

• Halloween at W5
• W5 Family Night
• Ulster Folk Museum
• Pumpkin picking
• Belfast Zoo
• Titanic Belfast
• City-centre Halloween activities

These give you the Halloween atmosphere without making things genuinely frightening.

Halloween in Belfast for Teenagers and Adults

Older visitors have considerably more choice if they want actual scares.

Try:

• Jail of Horror
• Crumlin Road Gaol paranormal experiences
• Ghost tours
• Halloween cinema
• W5 Late

W5 is also holding an adults-only Halloween night on 30 October 2026 from 7pm–11pm, featuring spooky science, bars, costumes, speed quizzing and Halloween entertainment.

Best Free Things to Do in Belfast at Halloween

You don't have to spend money every day.

Some easy free or low-cost ideas include:

• Walk around Belfast City Hall
• Explore Cathedral Quarter
• Walk Cave Hill
• Explore Belfast Castle grounds
• Look for Halloween decorations around the city centre
• Walk around the Titanic Quarter
• Explore Belfast's murals and street art

Mixing one paid attraction with one free activity is a good way to stop a half-term trip becoming very expensive.

Is Belfast Good for Halloween?

Definitely.

What makes Belfast particularly useful for a Halloween break is the variety.

You can give younger children a fun Halloween experience at W5, take older kids somewhere genuinely spooky such as Crumlin Road Gaol and still have major attractions like Titanic Belfast available if the weather turns bad.

There's enough happening to fill a day trip, but Belfast is even better if you turn it into a one or two-night Halloween break.

Belfast Halloween 2026 at a Glance

Best family attraction: Halloween at W5

Best scary attraction: Jail of Horror at Crumlin Road Gaol

Best indoor option: W5 or Titanic Belfast

Best quieter session: W5 Halloween Quiet Session

Best traditional experience: Ulster Folk Museum

Best for adults: W5 Late or Jail of Horror

Best free activity: Cave Hill and Belfast Castle

Final Thoughts

Belfast is a brilliant city for Halloween because you can make the trip as spooky – or as un-spooky – as you like.

Families with younger children can enjoy science experiments, Halloween trails, pumpkin picking and traditional activities.

Teenagers and adults can test their nerves inside an old Victorian prison or join one of Belfast's darker evening experiences.

And if the October weather does its worst, there are enough major indoor attractions to keep everyone entertained.

If you're planning an October half-term break or Halloween weekend in Belfast in 2026, it's definitely worth booking the most popular ticketed events early.