Carrickfergus Christmas Twinkle Trail to illuminate Shaftesbury Park in festive first

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council is set to bring new festive magic to the borough this December with the launch of the first-ever Carrickfergus Christmas Twinkle Trail.

The free family-friendly attraction will run at Shaftesbury Park from Sunday 7 to Thursday 11 December, offering visitors a gentle, glowing Christmas walk filled with illuminated features.

Designed especially for young families, the Twinkle Trail will transform the park into a sparkling seasonal experience, giving children and adults the chance to enjoy an enchanting stroll in the lead-up to Christmas.

Local primary school pupils will be the very first to preview the trail at an exclusive event on Saturday 6 December, accessed via a ticket link distributed by their schools.

For the wider public, no booking is required, and the attraction will be open daily from 4pm to 8pm, free of charge, from 7 December onwards.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Councillor Jackson Minford, said the new festive feature will add something unique to the town’s Christmas calendar.

“Introducing the Twinkle Trail to Carrickfergus is a lovely way to create something special for everyone in our community. The lights in the park offer an outdoor festive experience that children and adults alike will really enjoy. It is great to see new ideas being brought to life in the Borough and I hope plenty of people make the most of it.”

To facilitate installation, Shaftesbury Park will be closed from Wednesday 3 to Saturday 6 December, reopening at 8am on Sunday 7 December.

Council staff and CCTV will monitor the site throughout to safeguard equipment. Dogs must be kept on a lead until the event concludes on 11 December at 8pm.

The Twinkle Trail is jointly funded by the Department for Communities and Mid and East Antrim Borough Council. It forms part of the council’s broader Christmas programme, which includes light switch-ons, artisan markets and community celebrations taking place across the borough this festive season.

Full event listings are available at midandeastantrim.gov.uk/Christmas.