Thousands line the streets as Derry's Halloween festival returns

By David Young, PA

Thousands of people have lined the streets of Derry as the city’s famous Halloween carnival parade returned for the first time in three years.

The parade was the showpiece of an evening of events that brought the curtain down on Derry’s traditional Halloween festival, which is dubbed the biggest in Europe.

Covid-19 restrictions prevented the parade taking place in both 2020 and 2021.

Heavy rain failed to dampen the spirits of young and old who gathered beneath umbrellas to watch the spooky spectacular on Monday evening.

It’s finally here! The Awakening the Walled City Trail will start this evening at 6pm. Some useful trail tips to ensure a terrorific experience. Plan your journey – there is plenty of parking available or why not avoid the hassle and hop on the bus.https://t.co/houxORZSYY pic.twitter.com/8mzuJz1n5P

— Derry Strabane Cncl (@dcsdcouncil) October 31, 2022

Huge crowds cheered as the colourful parade involving hundreds of performers made its way along the banks of the River Foyle.