Mid Ulster Council Launches Free Halloween Costume and Christmas Jumper Swap Shops

How the Mid Ulster SWAP Shops Work

Residents are being asked to search their wardrobes for Halloween costumes and Christmas jumpers they no longer need.

Items can be donated at Mid Ulster District Council recycling centres across the district.

Donated clothing should be:

• Clean
• Wearable
• In reasonable condition
• No longer wanted or needed

The donated items will then be made available at the Council’s seasonal SWAP shops.

Residents can browse the pre-loved clothing and take home a costume or Christmas jumper for free.

The scheme means an outfit that may otherwise have gone to waste can be used by another family.

Halloween Costume Donations Open Until 17 October

Unwanted Halloween costumes can be donated at Mid Ulster District Council recycling centres until Saturday, 17 October 2026.

The donated costumes will then be made available through a SWAP shop at the Council’s Halloween event at Mid Ulster Sports Arena on Saturday, 24 October 2026.

Families attending the event will have an opportunity to pick up a pre-loved Halloween costume free of charge.

Residents who want to donate can use the Mid Ulster recycling centre finder to locate their nearest centre.

Christmas Jumper Donations Open Until 21 November

The same initiative is being extended to Christmas jumpers.

Residents can donate unwanted Christmas jumpers at Council recycling centres until Saturday, 21 November 2026.

The Christmas Jumper SWAP shop will then take place at Ranfurly House in Dungannon on Saturday, 28 November 2026.

The SWAP shop will form part of Dungannon’s Christmas lights switch-on event.

Residents will be able to browse the donated jumpers and give a pre-loved festive item a new home.

Council Says Scheme Can Help Families Save Money

Chair of Mid Ulster District Council, Councillor Deirdre Varsani, welcomed the initiative.

She said:

“This is a fun and novel way to help protect our environment and help families save some money. Halloween costumes and Christmas jumpers are another household expense for families at an already expensive time of the year.”

Councillor Varsani encouraged people to check their wardrobes for costumes and festive clothing that could be donated.

She said:

“Let’s check the wardrobes for those costumes and Christmas jumpers we know we won’t use again and donate them to help make someone else’s Halloween or Christmas.”

She added:

“By choosing to reuse, we can reduce the amount of perfectly good clothing going to waste, save valuable resources and help households keep some money in their pockets.”

Councillor Varsani said those visiting the SWAP shops may also discover a “pre-loved treasure”.

Reusing Clothing Can Help Reduce Waste

The initiative aims to encourage a more circular approach to seasonal clothing.

Halloween costumes and Christmas jumpers may only be worn a small number of times before being replaced.

Passing them on allows the clothing to be used for longer and reduces the amount of wearable material being discarded.

It can also help households cut the cost of Halloween and Christmas at a time when many families face additional seasonal expenses.

The Council’s message is:

Swap it. Wear it. Reuse it.

Find Your Nearest Mid Ulster Recycling Centre

Residents wanting to donate Halloween costumes or Christmas jumpers can check the locations and details of local recycling centres through the official Mid Ulster District Council website.