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Derry Halloween: Thousands gather for parade and fireworks

DCSDC Derry halloweenDCSDC

Tens of thousands of people gathered in Londonderry for the culmination of what is billed as the biggest Halloween party in Europe.

Derry's annual Halloween festival came to a close with a carnival parade and fireworks display over the River Foyle.

DCSDC Derry Girls mural HalloweenDCSDC
The city's Derry Girls mural has been given a ghoulish makeover

Organisers said about 80,000 people have visited the city during the festival run.

Thousands more were there on Thursday night as musicians, dancers, street acts and performers lead the finale.

Earlier, Jacqueline Whoriskey, Derry City and Strabane District Council's festival manager said footfall was up about 25% on 2018.

DCSDC Young woman wearing a red Halloween costume with white face paint and cat-like contact lensesDCSDC

"It has been absolutely amazing. We'll do our final count, but we have been really overwhelmed by the amount of people who have come," she said.

"Tonight is the big one. It all culminates tonight, it will be spectacular, and it will be unreal."

DCSDC Plague doctor-style Halloween costume being worn in a paradeDCSDC

The festivities in Derry have grown to global renown since the first Halloween carnival some 30 years ago.

It is now regarded as among the world's premier destinations for the holiday as the city gives itself over to ghosts, goblins and devilish delights.

DCSDC Children wearing zombie-bride costumesDCSDC

Highlights of this year's Derry Halloween - which has The Other World Awakens as its theme - have included the Awakening the Walls trail and a first-ever LegenDerry Halloween food event.

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Awakening the Walls runs for three nights on the city's ramparts
DCSDC The Halloween festival ended with fireworksDCSDC
The Halloween festival ended with fireworks over the River Foyle

Both the parade and fireworks display were streamed live on the BBC Radio Foyle homepage.

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