Cregneash was buzzing with lantern carving, cookery, music and dancing at its annual traditional Hop Tu Naa event.

Jinny the Witch was casting spells in Harry Kelly’s Cottage and there were lantern parades around the village over the two days of activities.

Manx National Heritage communications manager Lynsey Clague told Island Life: ‘Hop tu Naa is one of our favourite times of year at Cregneash, where our team welcome visitors both young and old, to celebrate the festival through music, dance, crafts and storytelling in the village.

‘It is one of the Isle of Man’s oldest continuous traditions and unmistakably, it’s most iconic feature, is the Manx moot or turnip, with our team hollowing out thousands each year.

‘Locally grown, our moots are hand selected, hollowed out by skilled turnip drillers and finely decorated by children!

‘Some choose the root as handle or hat, with a chimney, carving the skin or cutting right through their vegetables to create a single spooky face or a range of symbolic images, such as a cottage, cat, mouse, moon, Jinny the Witch and her broom.’

Lynsey added: ‘This year in particular, Manx National Heritage received reports of fabulous moots making their way around towns and villages across the island, including some featuring Jinny the witch and other featuring faces with twisted carrots for a nose, matchsticks for teeth and sheep’s wool pulled from the hedgerows for hair.

‘Regional versions of the Hop tu Naa song were heard across the island, with reports coming in from as far afield as the parishes of Bride and Andreas, demonstrating a real passion amongst islanders for keeping the Hop tu Naa tradition alive.’

Meanwhile, Turnips on Tour took place at the Grove Museum, in Ramsey. Visitors could collect their own turnip kit, containing a turnip and craft activities.