Derry Halloween promises a spellbinding programme this week
While Halloween is now a favourite calendar moment and celebrated all over the world, not everyone knows that it originated on the island of Ireland around 2,000 years ago in Celtic culture.
Recognised as the largest Halloween event in Europe, Derry Halloween’s celebration transforms the historic walled city into a spooky stage for fantasy, magic and immersive storytelling, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.
From 28th to 31st October, the historic city transforms into the Home of Halloween - an immersive world of light, legend, and laughter, and this year’s trail promises to be the beating heart of the festival.
Over three magical nights, visitors will journey through a series of themed zones scattered across the city, each one bursting with atmosphere, performance, and surprises around every corner. From firelit processions and towering skeletons to banshees, dancers, and giant puppets, the Awakening the Walled City Trail turns Derry’s streets into a stage for Halloween like nowhere else on earth.
Broken down into colour-coordinated areas, crowds can expect ghosts and ghouls around every corner of the city centre with six key trail zones. Highlights include:
Heart of Samhain (Guildhall Square & Waterloo Place)
Harvest markets, seasonal feasts, and live music on the Samhain Stage keep the city’s spirit alive from noon till midnight. Uncle Doom & His Organ of Gloom will be roaming around, along with Consuela the Living Doll and Walter's Pet Snout. You can grab a bite to eat at Legenderry Bites of Terror and enjoy live music at the Samhain Stage.
Shipquay Shriek (Red Zone)
Dare to face the shadows, fire pits, and the looming presence of a mysterious giant. Sliantha the Samhain Serpent will take over Shipquay and The Banshee of Butcher’s Gate as she emerges with a chilling, haunting song and accompanied by live musicians who respond to the sounds and shadows of the city.
Disco at The Diamond (Purple Zone)
Step into the ultimate UV-lit street rave, where ghostly dancers and a supernatural DJ bring the dance of the dead to life. Shake off the spooky cobwebs at this family-friendly street disco with resident DJ, Walter on the Dance Floor. Prepare to be bedazzled with lights, funky music and disco dancers as this party goes on all week long.
Bones of Bishop Street (Green Zone)
Wolves, zombies and wailing nuns haunt the street in a spectacle of theatre and fright. Festival favourites, The Wailing Nuns, will make their return, terrifying people as they dander along Bishop Street. If that wasn’t scary enough, The Howling Wolf Awakens will see the haunting She-Wolf emerging, her amber eyes fixed longingly on the glowing Samhain Moon.
Echos of the Walls (Blue Zone)
Folklore collides with performance as legends return to life through dance and storytelling. Highlights include In Your Space’s The Bone Yard, The Awakening of Walter de Burgh by New Gate Arts & Culture Centre and School on the Edge of Reality by The Playhouse.
Pump’kin Street (Orange Zone)
A glowing harvest haven complete with giant pumpkins, live music, and Moonlit Stilt Walkers. Pump Street, known as Pumpkin Street from 28th October -1st November will turn into a wholesome, insta-worthy location filled with Halloween festivities and plenty of photo opportunities. Think Gilmore Girls meets Thanksgiving!
Festival Manager, Jacqueline Whoriskey, said the Awakening the Walled City Trail captures the essence of Derry Halloween: “Each night, the city becomes a living, breathing legend. The Awakening of The Walled City Trail brings together the best of folklore, fire, and festivity, offering something magical for families, thrill-seekers, and visitors of all ages. It’s the moment when Derry’s Halloween spirit truly comes alive.”
Beyond the trail, festivalgoers can look forward to ghost tours, haunted houses, storytelling, live music, and community celebrations across the entire city and district - including the famous Castlederg Apple Fair, the Newtownstewart Scarecrow Trail, and Halloween fun in Strabane. The Halloween Hay Trail is back and bigger than ever with plenty of fun photo opportunities for all the family around the wider district.
On Halloween night, the festival reaches its grand finale with the much-loved Carnival Parade & fireworks. Families line the streets as hundreds of local performers bring the city to life with colourful costumes, lively music, and playful characters inspired by myths and legends. The evening ends in true Derry Halloween style with the fireworks finale over the River Foyle.
You can download the trail now on the Derry Halloween Website or pick up a hard copy from The Guildhall, Visit Derry and other venues throughout the city.
Check out the full programme of events at derryhalloween.com.
We'll be covering the four-day event on air, online and on socials - so stay tuned for lots of spooky goings-on from the Walled City!