Halloween in Derby

Like anywhere else, Halloween in Derby is celebrated by young and old alike and in recent years has become one of the more popular events of the year. To help you celebrate Halloween in Derby we have put together a guide with lots of useful information about the origins of Halloween as well as some great ideas for things to do, costumes to hire or make as well as a comprehensive guide to the best parties and events going on in the Derby area this Halloween.

First and foremost the date – surprisingly many people still do not know what date Halloween is on even though it is the same every year. So for those people, here it is – 31^st October, which this year falls on a Monday.

Origins of Halloween

Halloween as it has become known is actually an abbreviation of All-Hallows-Even meaning the Eve of All Hallows Day (All Saints Day) which is on the 1^st November. Various different religions attribute different significance to the day but for most it is a time for indulging in a spot of trick-or-treating, telling scary stories or just a chance to dress up in all manner of weird and wonderful fancy dress.

Halloween Activities

If you are looking to organise a party in Derby for friends this Halloween, or you just need some ideas to keep your kids entertained for the evening then below is a guide to give you some inspiration for Halloween activities.

Apple Bobbing – This traditional favourite is always a winner with children as well as adults. Basically it involves putting apples in a large bowl of water and challenging players to get one out using just their mouth. Sounds easy – it’s harder than you think! See your local Derby Grocers for a fresh bag of apples.

Pumpkin Lanterns – Or Jack-o-lanterns as the Americans call them, can be made by slicing off the top of a pumpkin, hollowing them out by removing all the flesh and then carving faces into the front. Then light a small candle and place it inside to light up the face. You can get as creative as you want making happy, sad or scary faces and award a prize for the best one. Most good Derby Supermarkets will have pumpkins around Halloween.

Mask Making – For younger children, making Halloween masks out of card and coloured paper is a great way to keep them entertained and they can wear them afterwards as part of a fancy dress costume. Any good Derby Stationary Suppliers should have all the materials you need.

Haunted House – Or Haunted Garden. Make a trail in your house or garden with some scary surprises along the way. Tell a spooky tale as you follow it round and wait for the shocks and shrieks!

Trick or Treating – This long-standing tradition involves getting dressed up in fancy dress and knocking on people’s front doors and offering them the ultimatum ‘Trick or treat?’ To avoid having a trick played on them they must hand over a small treat such as sweets or cakes. If you are planning on staying in on Halloween then why not prepare for trick-or-treaters by popping down to your local Derby Newsagents a buy a few sweets to give.

Halloween Fancy Dress

If you are looking to go out trick-or-treating, organising or attending a Halloween party in Derby then the chances are you will need to start thinking about what fancy dress costume you are going to wear.  You can choose to make your own or have a look in your nearest Derby Fancy Dress shops. Why not try and really impress by getting some ideas for really original fancy dress costumes. Here are a few you could try:

Quick and Easy Halloween Fancy Dress ideas:

1.       Ghost – Cut a couple of holes in a sheet and pop it over your head – Obvious.

2.       Devil – Pair of horns, a pointed tail and some red face paint – Easy.

3.       Witch – Pointy hat, wart on the nose, black coat and a broom stick - Done

4.       Skeleton – Black sweatshirt and trousers with white painted skeleton – No problem

Original Halloween Fancy Dress Ideas:

1.       Movie Monsters – Freddie Kruger, Predator, King Kong, The Child catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

2.       Cartoon Characters – Shrek, Dick Darstardly, Anyone from Monsters Inc.

3.       Wizards and Warlocks – Choose one of your favourite fighting fantasy characters or one of the many evil characters from Lord of The Rings.

4.       Harry Potter – There are enough baddies in this film to theme a whole Halloween party around.

5.       Dr Who or Star Trek – Ok, maybe not so original but still a firm favourite with most.

Halloween Events and Parties in Derby

Halloween in Derby is a great time get together with friends and celebrate. You may decide to host your own Halloween party or you can go out to one of the many events happening around the city. If you are looking to find a Halloween event in Derby then use our link below to see what’s on. You can choose from a variety of different Ghost Walks hosted by Derby Gaol as well as some overnight vigils on the most haunted night of the year – If you dare!

Halloween Events in Derby

Derby Gaol Halloween Events in Derby

There are also a number of different Halloween Parties happening in and around Derby at various bars and clubs around the city. Use the link below to see which one takes your fancy.

Halloween Parties in Derby

Derby Ghosts

Any Good Halloween party would not be complete without some great ghost stories or tales of mysterious goings on so if you need some inspiration for some creepy stories to scare your friends with this Halloween then take a look at our Derby Ghost article.

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