PREPARATIONS are underway around Northern Ireland ahead of this weekend's hellish Halloween celebrations, which this year feature carnival parades, fire performers and spectacular fireworks displays.
Cities and towns are preparing to welcome an influx of ghosts, ghouls and goblins, young and old, to an array of colourful, outdoor events.
In Derry, considered the Halloween capital of Northern Ireland, thousands are expected to attend Saturday's Rise of the River Gods Carnival parade.
More than 600 performers will be taking part in the event, which begins at 7pm.
The parade will make its way from the Queen's Quay Roundabout and along Boating Club Lane, before travelling along Strand Road and returning back along the quay. A fireworks finale over the Foyle will take place at 8pm.
In Belfast, thousands of revellers are expected to descend on Titanic Slipways on Saturday for the annual Monster Mash.
This year's event, which has a `carnival rock' theme, takes place from 4pm to 7pm. It will draw to a close in the evening with a fireworks display.
Free `ghost shuttle buses' will be available. They will depart Chichester Street (outside SS Moore's) every 15 minutes from 3.45pm until 6.15pm and will drop off on Queen's Road. The last bus will leave Queen's Road at around 7.30pm.
Those attending the Belfast city council event have been asked to avail of the complimentary service.
There is no dedicated car parking for the event. Paid for car parking is available near to The Slipways at Titanic Belfast and at Belfast Met. There is no on-street parking on Queen's Road.
Events are also taking place elsewhere, including Newcastle, Co Down, where demons and fire performers will entertain revellers on the promenade from 5.30pm.
Later, a bewitching float parade will depart the Slieve Donard Resort at 6.30pm before making its way through the streets to the festival stage. A fireworks display will follow at 7.45pm.
In Omagh, there will be fun, frights and fire performances at OASIS Plaza, from 6pm on Saturday.
There will be also street entertainers, face painting and apple bobbing, followed by a pyrotechnics firework display at 7.30pm.
In Co Antrim, an Enchanted Twilight Garden at Carnfunnock Country Park on the Coast Road in Larne promises those taking in the illuminated pathways, an encounter with a world of fairies, pixies, trolls, goblins and other enchanted creatures.
Ethereal music will fill the air as visitors explore the twinkling trees and glowing lane ways. Visitors can also meet the 1,000 year-old `Oracle of the Gates' at his desk where names will be checked and logged in the `Book of Imagination' and after receiving a special enchanted gift, a journey of exploration into a realm of magic can begin. The event will run from 5pm until 8pm.
