Derry Halloween will take place from Wednesday 28th October – Sunday 1st November 2026.
If the Walls could speak, what would they say?
For three nights the spirits arise to join you on the Awakening the Walled City Trail, a magical journey through the City of Bones where you will encounter the weird and wonderful characters who bring Halloween to life!
The story of Halloween is brought to life through illumination, performances, pyrotechnics and music, as the spirits cross over to join the festivities, bringing magic and mischief to the streets.
Check out the highlights of the Festival here, and the main programme is coming soon.
The parade will return on Saturday 31st October at 7pm!
The fireworks take place after the Carnival Parade, at approximately 8.15pm on Saturday 31st October. Please note that this is weather dependent, and there could be delays if there is rain.
Yes, the Awakening the Walled City Trail, the parade and fireworks are all completely free for the public to attend! However, access to the enhanced experience on the City Walls will be managed through free ticketing. See below Tickets FAQs.
There may be other events taking place which will have a fee or tickets required which will be highlighted in the listings when the programme is released.
Yes, yes, YES! We encourage everyone to dress up. When you visit you will see that almost everyone dresses up over the nights of Halloween and this year will be no different.
You don’t have to buy expensive outfits either – DIY it!
We can’t wait to see what you come up with! Make sure to tag @derryhalloween when you share your photos. Keep in mind it is October, weather in Northern Ireland tends to be changeable – this is an outdoor experience so please dress appropriately.
If you are interested in any sponsorship opportunities, simply email sponsorship@derrystrabane.com and a member of the team will get back to you.
Derry Halloween will unfold across the city and also stretching to Strabane. The myths and mischief of Samhain will be interwoven throughout, connecting our city to the Worlds beyond the Walls.
You can download the highlights here, and the full programme is coming soon.
Important
Tickets are only required for a designated section of the Awakening the Walled City experience on the City Walls.
The remainder of the Awakening the Walled City Trail, along with most of the wider Derry Halloween programme, remains free to access and does not require a ticket.
For the first time, access to a designated section of the Awakening the Walled City experience on the City Walls will be managed through timed ticketing.
Introducing timed entry will help us safely manage the number of visitors on the Walls at any one time, improve crowd flow and create the best possible experience for visitors.
The wider Awakening the Walled City Trail remains free to enjoy and does not require a ticket.
Yes! Derry Halloween remains a free festival, with lots to see and experience across the city. There may be some third party events which are ticketed, but the Awakening the Walled City Trail, Parade and Fireworks are all free.
Free tickets are only required to access the designated ticketed section of the Awakening the Walled City experience. All other areas of the trail remain accessible without booking.
Tickets are free.
Tickets will be bookable on the website in September.
Simply choose your preferred date and available time slot, select the number of tickets you require and complete your booking. You will then receive a confirmation email containing your tickets.
No. Tickets are only required for visitors wishing to access the designated ticketed section on the City Walls.
Everyone entering that section, including children, must have a valid ticket. Visitors enjoying other parts of the Awakening the Walled City experience do not require a ticket.
Please arrive in good time for the time slot shown on your ticket.
Further information about the entry point and recommended arrival time will be included in your booking confirmation.
The City Walls are a unique historic location with limited capacity. Timed ticketing allows us to manage visitor numbers safely, reduce congestion and provide a more enjoyable experience.
It also allows us to enhance this section of the trail and give visitors more space to enjoy the performances, installations and atmosphere.
No. A valid ticket is required to enter the designated ticketed section of the Awakening the Walled City experience.
However, there will still be plenty of free Derry Halloween experiences, entertainment and activities to enjoy throughout the city without a ticket.
Yes. You will be able to book tickets for your family or group, subject to the maximum number of tickets permitted per booking.
Everyone attending, including children, will require their own ticket.
Yes. Children also require a ticket as they are included within the capacity of the ticketed area. Children must be accompanied by a responsible adult.
Yes. The ticketed section represents only one part of the overall Awakening the Walled City experience.
A wide range of installations, performances, storytelling, street animation and atmospheric experiences can be enjoyed throughout the city without a ticket.
No. Only a designated section of the experience located on the City Walls requires a free ticket.
The wider Awakening the Walled City Trail and the majority of the Derry Halloween programme remain free to access without booking.
You can still enjoy the wider Awakening the Walled City experience and the full Derry Halloween programme across the city without a ticket.
The ticketed section will be located on a designated area of the City Walls.
Further information, including access points and visitor guidance, will be published in advance of the event.
Access to sections of the City Walls will be restricted during the evenings to facilitate the operation of the Awakening the Walled City experience.
Alternative routes and access arrangements will be communicated in advance and clearly signposted during the event.
Plenty! Your visit to the Awakening the Walled City experience is just one part of the Derry Halloween programme.
Explore a packed programme of performances, folklore, music, installations, family entertainment and immersive experiences across the city as Derry comes alive for Halloween.
Check out our festival highlights and keep an eye on the website for the full programme coming soon.
Wondering about how to get to Derry Halloween or where to stay? Here’s all you need to know about getting here and where to stay.
Yes! There are lots of great value break offers available in our hotels and accommodation providers for the weekend. Remember, the Festival is extremely popular, and books up fast, so make sure to book early! For more info visit www.visitderry.com
Yes. Derry Halloween is committed to making the festival as accessible and inclusive as possible. The historic City Walls are accessible to wheelchair users and visitors with prams; however, as a Scheduled Historic Monument built over 400 years ago, some areas feature uneven surfaces, gradients and narrow sections. Visitors are encouraged to take care when moving around the Walls.
Please note that some elements of the Awakening the Walled City experience may include low lighting, atmospheric effects, loud sounds, music, smoke effects and large crowds. Visitors should consider these factors when planning their visit.
See our accessibility page for more details.
Derry is located in the stunning North West of Ireland, the charming city of Derry~Londonderry is very accessible by air, sea, rail, bus and road. For full details on how to get here, click here.
Derry Halloween offers plenty of car parking and accessible parking. For more information, this is available on our website by clicking here.
