Footsteps in the Forest festival for Slieve Gullion Forest Park

1 October 2025

NEWRY, Mourne and Down Council is delighted to announce the return of Footsteps in the Forest to Slieve Gullion Forest Park, Co Armagh.

This year’s programme will run from Monday, October 20, to Sunday, October 26, offering residents and visitors an unmissable opportunity to step into the spirit of Samhain.

The festival will once again celebrate the Gaelic festival of Samhain, marking the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter, with Slieve Gullion Forest Park transformed into the ‘otherworld’.

Visitors will encounter a spellbinding blend of immersive storytelling, captivating characters, spectacular illuminations and seasonal treats set against the park’s hauntingly beautiful landscape.

Council chairperson Philip Campbell said: “Footsteps in the Forest is a magical event that has become a firm favourite for families across our district and beyond.

“It offers children and adults alike the chance to step into the spirit of Halloween in a safe, fun and unforgettable way bringing folklore and mythology vividly to life.

“Slieve Gullion, at the heart of the Mourne Gullion Strangford Geopark, provides the perfect setting for this celebration. Its mystical woodland trails make it a truly unique place to experience Halloween.”

Festival-goers will enjoy guided illuminated sessions, which trace the journey from the ancient origins of Samhain through to the modern-day celebration of Halloween.

Guided sessions will run each evening from Monday to Saturday, starting at 5pm and departing every 55 minutes until the final session at 9pm.

On Sunday the focus will be on celebrating the Irish heritage behind the Gaelic festival of Samhain with Irish language sessions following the same schedule – starting at 5pm and departing every 55 minutes until 9pm.

To ensure the festival is inclusive, autism-friendly sessions will also

take place each day from Monday to Sunday at 5pm and 6pm, featuring brighter lighting and lower music levels for visitors with sensory or access needs.

Tickets for this year’s free, ticket-only event go live at 10am next Monday on the Visit Mourne Mountains website: www.visitmournemountains.co.uk. Each ticket is valid for one car with a maximum of two tickets per household.

In addition to Footsteps in the Forest, a wider programme of Halloween events will take place across the district, celebrating the area’s unique culture and heritage and adding to the fantastic offering already available to locals and visitors.

Cllr Campbell remarked: “Slieve Gullion Forest Park itself remains a highlight for any autumn escape, with its tranquil woodland trails, panoramic views across the Ring of Gullion, Mourne Mountains, Cooley Peninsula and Armagh Drumlins, as well as excellent visitor facilities for walkers and families, so please dress for the weather and get outdoors this Halloween.”

For ideas of where to stay, eat and for even more things to do during your time here in Mourne Gullion Strangford and for Giant event details, go to: www.visitmournemountains.co.uk/whats-on/giant-adventures/footsteps-in-the-forest.

Follow the @VisitMourne social media pages for reminders and updates.

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