Derry Halloween 2026 - Awakening the Walled City

What to Expect

Derry Halloween marks its 40th anniversary in 2026, running from Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October and billing itself as Europe’s largest Halloween festival, drawing over 100,000 visitors into the Walled City. The centrepiece is the Awakening the Walled City Trail, which runs from 6pm to 9pm on 28, 29 and 30 October through Guildhall Square, the Cathedral Quarter and the streets within the Walls, telling the story of Halloween through illumination, live performance, pyrotechnics and music. The festival builds to Halloween night itself on 31 October, when the Carnival Parade sets off at 7pm with hundreds of performers, elaborate floats and fire-breathing dragons winding through the city, followed by a fireworks finale over the Walls at approximately 8.15pm, weather permitting. Family programming runs throughout under the Little Horrors banner, alongside live music on the Samhain Stage and Cathedral Quarter Stage and food stalls at the Heart of Samhain in Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place.

Good to Know

• Runs Wednesday 28 to Saturday 31 October 2026, the festival’s 40th year
• Awakening the Walled City Trail runs 6pm to 9pm on 28, 29 and 30 October through Guildhall Square and the Walls
• Carnival Parade steps off at 7pm on 31 October, followed by fireworks at approximately 8.15pm
• The Trail, parade and fireworks are all free to attend; some ticketed events may run alongside the free programme
• Little Horrors family activities and live music stages run across all four nights
• Full programme and timings at derryhalloween.com

Getting There

Events are centred on Guildhall Square and the Walled City, all within easy walking distance of Derry city centre; expect road closures and heavy footfall on parade night, so allow extra time, arrive early for a good vantage point, and consider public transport or park-and-ride options rather than driving into the city centre.