Children will delight at the opportunity to go on board a 'Haunted Pirate Ship' and hear spooky stories of mermaids and sailors who have perished at the hands of pirates as well as haunting tales of ghostly ships that sail the sea on Halloween night. There will also be ghostly games, spot prizes, Halloween treats, face painting and a disco. The haunted cruises will depart every Saturday and Sunday throughout the month of October from Queens Quay at 6pm and the cruise lasts just over an hour. Tickets cost £8 per child/adult and can be obtained by contacting Foyle Cruises 71362857

Ghostbustours is an absolute must for the family with tours departing every hour from the Tourist Information Centre, Foyle Street from 5.30pm onwards on Wednesday 29th and Thursday 30th October. This interactive tour of the city's haunted venues will involve visits from some of Derry's most famous ghosts, many of whom may even want to catch a ride around the town too! With headless horsemen, banshees and even Ghostbusters, this is one Halloween experience they'll never forget. Only one question remains. Are you brave enough? Tickets must be booked in advance and cost £9 per seat with a family ticket for 2 adults and 2 children priced at £32. Contact Open Top Tours 028 7126 7284/ 07740249998.

Let the little ones revel in magic shows, frightfully funny story telling, face painting and balloon modelling at the Monster Mash Fun Day at the Guildhall on Thursday 30th October, courtesy of a variety of weird and wonderful characters including Captain Franko's Magic Show and Feargrinn The Magician. The fun begins at 1.30pm with the final show starting at 4.30pm and is completely free.

The city's museums will be getting into the spirit of Halloween with some spooky activities at the Workhouse on 29th and 30th October and at the Tower on Thursday 30th and Friday 31st.

The Riverwatch Aquarium in Prehen would like to invite all ghouls and buoys to join them for its spook-tacular Halloween. With the aquarium transformed into a haunted haven, the fearful fun for all the family will include creepy crabs, monstrous mini beasts, disgusting dissections as well as a whole range of creepy creatures.

Braver visitors will also be able to try their hand in the 'Box of Horrors' and there will be a Halloween hunt around the aquarium for visitors to follow as well as workshops where youngsters can create everything from their own sea monster work of art to monstrous masks. The 'ascarium aquarium' will be running on Friday (31st) and Saturday (1st) and admission is FREE for everyone. There will be spot prizes for water based fancy dress. For more information tel: 02871 342100 or log on to www.loughs-agency.org < http://www.loughs-agency.org>.

The whole family will all enjoy a Twilight Haunting Tour of Derry, which involves a walk around the city while hearing haunting tales of each location, courtesy of your costumed guide - but watch out, who knows who or what you might run into! At the end of the tour everyone can shake off those goose bumps with a 'hot monster' drink at Café Louis! Operated by Tours n' Trails, tickets can be booked by calling 7136 7000 and cost £5 per adult, £3 per child with a family ticket for four priced at £15.

Visit Spooksville on the Hill if you dare on Halloween Friday for the ultimate helping of ghoulish games and Halloween Hoots. Set in the old Clondermott School (7132 9144) in the Waterside, this frightful feast of entertainment is packed with arts and crafts, storytelling, balloon modelling, face painting, scallywags puppet shows, Nemo le Magician Magic Shows and drama workshops. The event will run from 11am until 5pm and costs £2 per person.

That leaves just enough time to get ready for the colourful Halloween Carnival Parade and Spooktacular Fireworks Display, just one question remains...Who will you be?
For further information on any of the events mentioned above or indeed any aspect of the Banks of the Foyle Halloween Carnival simply log on to www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween < http://www.derrycity.gov.uk/halloween>, where you can order a copy of the programme, telephone (028) 7137 6545 to request a copy or simply pick one up at any Council venue or Tourist Information Centre.