Vibrant lights festival set to transform the streets of Derry

What a celebration! 🎉

Deputy Mayor Cllr Christopher Jackson pictured at the launch of Illuminate – a light installation festival that will run over two weekends in February. Also included is Alison Leslie, Tourism NI, and Assumpta O’Neill, Visit Derry
Author: Emma DicksonPublished 20th Jan 2022
Last updated 20th Jan 2022

Next month the streets of Derry/Londonderry will spring to life once again, with a colourful display of art, this time as part of the ‘Illuminate’ campaign, funded by Tourism Northern Ireland.

The ‘Story of Derry’ will be told through a trail of light displays, animations, and music sessions across the city.

This is an experience completely unique to Northern Ireland, running over two weekends - February 17th to 20th and February 24th to 27th.

Some of the city’s landmark buildings including the City Gates, Guildhall and St Columb’s Cathedral will feature light displays and live illuminations telling the history of the city.

An Illuminated Trail of Light, which will include displays that will re-imagine public spaces across the city and Council will be working with local artists, businesses and organisations to develop a collection of exciting events which showcase the regions diverse arts and cultural offering.

Alongside this, a music programme that embraces the theme of light will take place through a series of intimate music gigs with artists such as Kila, Roe, Neil Cowley and The Henry Girls.

The artists will perform in intimate settings such as the Guildhall, St Augustine's Church, Echo Echo studio and Contemporary centre of Arts.

Tickets for the intimate music experiences are currently on sale and are expected to sell out fast as numbers are restricted. To book tickets & more info visit musiccapital.org

Details of the gigs included in the programme are as follows 👇

  • Thursday 17 February, Comrade Hat and Clodagh May Music from 730pm-9pm at CCA
  • Friday 18th February, Glenn Rossborough and Kate O'Callaghan, from 730-9pm at St Augustine's
  • Saturday 19 February, The Henry Girls (Boswell) and Aoife Scott, from 9-11.30pm at the Guildhall
  • Thursday 24 February, Roe and John Deery The Heads from 730-9pm at the Echo Echo studios
  • Saturday 26th February, Neil Cowley, Ciaran Lavery and Maria Kelly from 9-11.30pm at the Guildhall
  • Sunday 27 February, Kila and Basork from 9-11.30pm at the Guildhall

Kieran Dunlop from Music Capital who has been appointed by Council to organise the music element of the festival said: "Illuminate will be an amazing event that will really showcase a wide range of talented musicians and artists and perform in some of the most iconic and intimate settings. We are delighted to be part of this fantastic spectacle and we are delighted to have artists such as Neil Cowley, Kila, Aofie Scott, Ciaran Lavery and Roe performing live in the city and bringing some much needed cheer and positivity after such a difficult time for many people.

“Derry City and Strabane District Council is currently working closely with a wide range of statutory bodies in terms of ensuring the event is COVID friendly and in adherence to any possible restrictions that may be in place at that time.”

More details on the programme are available at illuminatederry.com

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