A special carnival will be bringing Halloween to the people of East Belfast this year.
The Eastside Partnership and Beat Carnival are working with young people from the local community and will lead the Halloween procession on Saturday, October 30.
The parade will see 100 young people taking part from local groups across East Belfast including Ballmac Friendship Trust, Walkway Community Association, Bloomfield Community Association and the Diamond Project.
Starting at City East, it will make its way along the Newtownards Road to C.S Lewis Square, where there will be free, family fun activities including music by DJ Dave Ralston, face painting and arts and crafts.
Michele Bryans, Chief Executive EastSide Partnership, said: “We are very excited to announce details of the Halloween Carnival parade taking place in east Belfast this year.
"With the support of Belfast City Council and the Urban Villages Initiative, we are very excited to the see the work created by young people from our local community in partnership with Beat Carnival.
"This family fun event, taking place right in the heart of the East Belfast community, is sure to be a great way to celebrate Halloween.”
David Boyd from Beat Carnival said that they cannot wait to bring light and laughter to the streets, with an array of characters, dances and music.
He also said that after a tough two years during the pandemic where celebrations have been put on hold, it will be a great opportunity for people to come together.
He said: “Creative activity is underway to bring light and laughter onto the streets with costumed characters, music, dance and lanterns.
"After the long period when no or sometimes only small gatherings were possible, this opportunity for everyone to enjoy a carnival arts event is more than welcome and we are really looking forward to our first larger carnival parade in two years!”
Roz Small, Ballymac Friendship Trust, added: “We are delighted to be involved in this project and provide our young people with opportunities to engage in creative activity to support their well-being. Events of this nature are great to bring communities together in a fun and celebratory way. We hope you will come along and celebrate Halloween with us!”
The Carnival Parade will take place from 6pm to 8pm.
For further details visit www.visiteastside.com. Follow EastSide Partnership on Facebook @EastSidePartnership and Twitter @EastSidePship.
