Derry is preparing for the 40th anniversary of its Halloween festival with an expanded programme of events that will transform the city within and around its historic walls. The multi‑day offering brings together street theatre, aerial displays, drumming, family attractions and food vendors, with performances staged from midday until late across several central locations.
Awakening the Walled City: nightly immersive trail
The centrepiece of the anniversary celebrations is the “Awakening The Walled City Trail”, an immersive route that will run each evening from 6pm to 9pm, Wednesday to Friday. The trail will stage attractions against the backdrop of the 17th‑century city walls and in surrounding streets, aiming to animate the historic fabric with contemporary performance.
- In Your Space Circus will present the Witchy Wonderland and a spectacular aerial dance at the Diamond.
- The Flying Time Travellers will move through Pump Street with 30‑minute performances at 6.30pm, 7.30pm and 8.30pm from Wednesday to Friday.
- SPARK!, the city’s prominent drumming troupe, will perform at the top of Waterloo Street, Castle Gate and Shipquay Street at the same evening times.
Alongside these headline acts, New Gate Arts and Culture Centre will stage a new production marking the festival’s four decades in the city. The show, titled The City Awakens… Who You Gonna Call?, will present multiple performances each evening as part of the trail.
“The City Awakens… Who You Gonna Call?”
Family events and outdoor stages in city squares
The festival’s daytime and early‑evening offer will centre on Guildhall Square and Harbour Square where the Heart of Samhain programme runs from noon to 9pm, Wednesday to Saturday. Guildhall Square will host a stage with performances from local artists throughout each day, and a food area called Legendscary Bites featuring local and visiting vendors. Harbour Square will host Wakey Wakey, a separate strand of activity within the Heart of Samhain.
FUSE arts will contribute an original outdoor piece, the Blue Guardian, presented at Mute Meadows in Ebrington as part of the Awakening the Walled City Trail. Complementary offerings include a Halloween Flash Dance on Magazine Street with multiple short performances each evening.
What to expect on the streets
Residents can expect a strong street‑theatre presence in the city centre each evening. Programme highlights include:
- Witchy Wonderland aerial shows at the Diamond;
- Three daily performances by The Flying Time Travellers in Pump Street (6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm);
- SPARK! drumming appearances on Waterloo Street, Castle Gate and Shipquay Street at the same times;
- Multiple short flash dances on Magazine Street from early evening;
- Family‑friendly activity and food traders in Guildhall and Harbour squares from midday to 9pm.
| Day | Main evening trail | Squares (Heart of Samhain) |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday | 6pm–9pm | Noon–9pm |
| Thursday | 6pm–9pm | Noon–9pm |
| Friday | 6pm–9pm | Noon–9pm |
| Saturday | – | Noon–9pm |
Organisers have also indicated that performances will spread through Pump Street, Magazine Street and parts of the city inner precincts, creating a continuous sequence of events for residents and visitors. The programme emphasises participation from local cultural organisations alongside visiting companies.
As the city marks four decades of Halloween celebrations, the extended itinerary reflects efforts to broaden the festival’s reach within Derry’s public spaces while retaining the mix of spectacle and community‑led activity that has defined earlier years.
Residents planning to attend are advised to consult the festival programme for detailed times and locations and to expect increased footfall in the city centre during the scheduled performances.
