Thousands set to attend Derry Halloween Parade

Thousands of people are expected to brave the cold weather and turn out for Derry's annual Halloween parade in just under one hours time.

The four-day festival got under way on Saturday and finishes tonight with the popular parade and fireworks display.

One hundred drones are due to take to the skies later, following the carnival parade to create a light show over the River Foyle. A variety of spooky Halloween themed images will take shape on the sky. The drone display is weather dependent.

Derry's Halloween festivities have grown to global renown since the first official Halloween celebrations in 1986 and it is now regarded as among the world's premier destinations for Halloween.

Thousands of people have already attended a number of Halloween events including Awakening the Walls - capturing the myth and magic of the Halloween story through music, pyrotechnics and illumination on the city walls - and Rise - Ring of Fire at Ebrington Square.

A number of traffic restrictions will be in place for the closing parade. The parade begins at 7pm is followed by the fireworks display at 8.30pm. The Peace Bridge will be closed from 7pm until 8.45pm.