Halloween in Belfast: A Parade of Costumed Chaos
By Ellen Lundy
Halloween in Belfast: a night where chaos reigns, fake blood is an essential accessory, and everyone collectively decides to ignore how cold it is for the sake of a good costume. While this night is about costumes and pretending to be someone else, the real fun is in the people you meet. If you’ve ever hit the town on Halloween, you know it’s a parade of personalities. Allow me to present the cast of characters you’ll inevitably encounter.
The Girl Best Friends in Matching Costumes
First up, the new best friends, fresh out of their first month of living in halls together. They’re inseparable, and what better way to announce this bond to the world than by coordinating their costumes? These two will have brainstormed for weeks, picking something that says, “we’re quirky and cute but, like, hot.” Picture them as the latest Instagram craze—Disney Princesses in Amazon corsets. They’ll be beaming in every photo, convinced they’ll reminisce about this night for decades. What they don’t know is that by Christmas, one of them will have blocked the other on WhatsApp after a dramatic falling-out over a guy dressed as the Lorax in Limelight. Tragic, really.
The Guys Too Cool to Dress Up
Now, onto the The Guys Too Cool to Dress Up. These are the guys who wouldn’t be caught dead participating in any Halloween nonsense. You won’t find them in anything remotely Halloween-themed because, in their world, putting on a black t-shirt and jeans and calling themselves “Steve Jobs” is the height of comedy. Ironic, because Steve Jobs would absolutely have dressed up—he just would’ve made sure his costume could charge an iPhone.
The Full-on Halloween Enthusiast
And then there’s The Enthusiast, the person who lives for Halloween. This one’s costume is pure art. They’ve planned it for months, probably went through a couple of fittings, and dropped a small fortune at Elliott’s Fancy Dress. From prosthetics to professionally applied makeup, they look like they’ve stepped out of a movie set. Heaven help the person who spills a double vodka blackcurrant within two feet of them because it’s not just an outfit—it’s a statement. They might appear intense, but these folks are often the most fun. You’ll find them on the dance floor, absolutely living for spooky season and dying to hear China Anne McClain’s ‘Calling all the Monsters’ played in Planet Pop, and honestly? They make the whole night worth it.
The “I’m Not Drinking, But I’m Here” One
Finally, there’s That One Friend Who Isn’t Drinking and not by choice. Maybe they’ve been sick with tonsillitis for three weeks and are still on antibiotics (yes, I speak from experience). But despite the burning sensation in their throat, they’ve donned a costume and braved the night. Why? Because they’ve already committed to that fantastic Wonder Woman outfit and they’re not about to let tonsillitis, of all things, get in the way of a night out. They’ll cling to their Diet Coke like it’s their life raft. As the night progresses, they’ll find themselves in the existential hellscape that is Warehouse, without the bitter taste of Cactus Jack to dilute the experience. The next day, they’ll swear off ever doing that again—but let’s be real, they’ll be back next year.
The Curtain Call
So there you have it: a character study of Belfast’s finest on Halloween. Whether you’re covered in fake blood, dodging drinks with a sober glare, or just there for the vibe, one thing’s for sure: Halloween in Belfast is not for the faint-hearted. Costume or not, the real spectacle is in the people you meet, the drama that unfolds, and the inevitable story that will be told at least five times by the end of the night. Just remember—if a guy dressed as the Lorax comes between you and your best mate, maybe it’s time to re-evaluate both the friendship and the Lorax’s fashion choices.
