Over 100 performers from Greater Shantallow Community arts group Studio 2 are preparing to bring the magic of their renowned Hocus Pocus showcase to the Carnival Parade this Halloween.

The group are set to play a lead role in the festival’s climactic event on Saturday October 31 with their ‘A lot of Hocus Pocus in the City of Bones’ performance that will be one of the highlights of the 40th anniversary celebrations.

Inspired by the Disney film of the same name, their performance, led by the Sanderson Sisters and with support from a troop of talented actors and dancers and performers has become a staple of the Derry Halloween celebrations since it premiered in 2023.

The council said that the show has wowed thousands of spectators in the city centre and at their theatre at Studio 2 but this will be the first time they integrate the performance into the festival's parade.

“We’ve been proud to be a central part of the Halloween parade through the city centre for over 20 years now and we wanted to do something special this year as part of the wider festival’s 40th anniversary celebrations,” explained Artistic Director at Studio 2 Ollie Green.

“The Hocus Pocus showcase has been a real crowd favourite over the last three years and this is a great opportunity to bring it into a new format in the parade.

“The theme of the performance is ‘I Put a Spell on You’ and the Sanderson Sisters together with troops of performers will be casting a spell on the thousands of people watching the parade as it passes around the city centre.”

Ollie Green added: “The festival has given a platform for our young people to bring their drama, dance and musical skills out of the studio and into the biggest Halloween celebration in Europe.

“It’s brought young people from the outskirts of the city into the centre where they can showcase their work in front of thousands of spectators from all over the world.

“It has given them invaluable experience and boosted their confidence to reach new levels in their performing journey.

“A crucial element of this year’s performance is the contribution of our EA Galliagh Youth Start participants who are made up of young people who have never performed before, we also welcome anyone who wants to take part in our carnival workshops where you can learn hands-on skills to contribute to the show at Halloween.”

GSCAs Youth Start Galliagh will host the first in a series of preparatory carnival workshops for the performance at their base in Studio2 this Saturday October 3 from 6pm to 9pm featuring costume making, special effects makeup, choreography and event production skills.

The Halloween Carnival Parade on October 31 at 7pm will feature hundreds of community participants, dancers and musicians dressed in elaborate costumes who will parade along the Queen’s Quay riverfront before the Fireworks Finale on the River Foyle at 8.15pm.

The Full Derry Halloween programme details are available now at www.derryhalloween.com