Belfast Castle: The Cat’s Curse
Dates
October 20, 2026
Doors
Early evening
Where
Belfast Castle
Tickets from
£27.00
Inside the venue
Gallery
Instant e-ticket
In your inbox the moment you pay
Secure checkout
Encrypted card payment
Guide-supervised
Every vigil led by experienced staff
Date changes
Move night up to 48 hours before*
About this
Event Description
Explore Belfast Castle’s turrets and cellars on a hilltop horror trail, then relax by the terrace fire pits with live Irish music and panoramic views. 4pm–midnight, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026.
- Format: A hilltop horror trail through Belfast Castle’s turrets and cellars with guide-led investigation elements, then terrace fire pits with live Irish music and panoramic views.
- Guide-led throughout; you take part as a group. Nothing to bring.
- No contact: Performers will not make physical contact with guests; please don’t touch performers, fixtures or historic fabric.
- Supervision & age: All ages welcome; under-18s must be accompanied by a parent or guardian at all times, given uneven ground and low lighting.
- Optional: Your ticket covers the whole evening — only the timed headline experience needs a booked slot, so you can enjoy the festival, market and food areas without it.
Perched on the slopes of Cave Hill overlooking the city, Belfast Castle is tied to a well-known local legend: that white cats bring good fortune to the castle, and misfortune follows any harm done to them. This Halloween, the castle’s turrets and cellar rooms open after dark for a live-action horror trail exploring the legend alongside real 19th-century history — while the hilltop terrace outside hosts a fire-pit gathering with live Irish traditional music, folklore talks, and genuinely spectacular night views over Belfast Lough.
Why you should book this
Belfast Castle’s turret viewpoint offers some of the best panoramic views in the city, and on clear nights doubles as a genuine stargazing spot away from city lights. Combined with live Irish traditional music and fire pits, this is as much a scenic evening out as a scare experience.
What you’ll experience
- The Cat’s Curse trail — the timed headline horror experience through the castle turrets and cellar rooms
- Hilltop Terrace Fire Pits — a cosy outdoor gathering spot with panoramic city views, open all evening
- Live Irish Traditional Music — local musicians performing on the terrace from 6pm
- Cave Hill Folklore Talk — a genuinely fascinating talk on the legends of Cave Hill and the Cat’s Curse, held hourly
- Stargazing Viewpoint — on clear nights, the terrace’s elevated position makes for excellent stargazing away from the city’s brightest lights
Evening schedule
| Time | What’s on |
|---|---|
| 4:00pm | Terrace opens — fire pits and café live |
| 4:00pm, 5pm, 6pm, 7pm, 8pm Cave Hill Folklore Talk (hourly) | |
| 5:00pm–9:30pm | Castle horror trail departs every 20 minutes |
| 6:00pm | Live Irish Traditional Music begins |
| 9:00pm | Final music set |
| 9:30pm | Last entry to the castle trail |
| 11:30pm | Terrace bar last orders |
| 12:00am | Terrace closes |
Before you visit
🚗 Getting there & parking
By car: Free on-site car park at Belfast Castle — allow around 4–5 minutes to walk up from the car park to the castle entrance given the hillside slope. By train: Belfast Great Victoria Street is a 20-minute drive or bus ride away; this venue is not realistically walkable from the station, so a car is recommended given the hillside location.
🕐 Entry & times
Daily 4:00pm–12:00am, 20 Oct–1 Nov 2026. A valid ticket for your chosen date admits you to the whole evening; the timed headline experience needs its booked slot. Arrive a little before your slot — late arrivals are accommodated in a later slot subject to availability.
⚠ Code of conduct
Prohibited at all events: real or imitation weapons, full-face masks that prevent ID checks, and glass containers. Costumes are welcome within those limits. Security searches may be carried out on entry. Abusive or threatening behaviour, or failure to follow venue instructions, means removal without a refund.
Content note: Steep hillside approach to the castle, spiral turret stairs, one jump-scare in the cellar. The turret viewpoint is exposed and may be closed in high winds for safety (alternative route provided, no refund in that case). The terrace event is accessible and doesn’t require the turret climb. Good for: Couples · Folklore enthusiasts · Visitors wanting views alongside scares · Groups wanting a proper evening on the hilltop
Getting there
Where
Venue
Belfast Castle
Please allow extra travel time — several of our venues are rural, with limited public transport. Parking details are on your ticket.
Event dates
October 20, 2026
Before you book
Good to know
Age policy varies by tier — check the ticket option you pick. Photo ID may be requested for age-restricted tiers.
Genuine historic buildings. Expect uneven floors and, at some venues, steep stairs and limited step-free access.
Bring a torch, warm layers and flat, sensible shoes. Venues are cold and dark.
No physical contact takes place. All vigils are guide-supervised and every activity is optional.
Still deciding
Questions
Is anything staged?
No. Nothing is staged and no outcome is ever promised. Genuine historic buildings, investigated with structured vigils and traditional techniques.
What happens after I pay?
Your e-ticket is emailed straight away, with a unique QR code per guest. Save it as PDF, add to Apple or Google Wallet, or resend from My Account.
Which ticket should I choose?
Twilight for families, Standard for the full after-dark tour, Premium for a small-group vigil with equipment, VIP for the extended late session on 31 October.
Can I change my date?
Yes, up to 48 hours before, subject to availability on the night you move to.
Do I need experience?
None at all. Guides run every session and stay with your group the whole time.
Book your experience
- Instant e-ticket by email, QR per guest
- Secure card checkout — total confirmed at checkout
- Every activity on the night is optional
£27.00
Early Bird — 20% off