Here are the upcoming festivals and events in County Derry from 20 March to 1 May 2026, focusing on Derry City and surrounding areas. This spring period features a blend of cultural heritage, music, community gatherings, and outdoor activities in the Walled City and beyond.
Major Festivals & Cultural Events
- Sperrins Walking Festival (20-22 March): A three-day celebration of the Sperrin Mountains’ landscape, heritage, and community in the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It includes guided walks of varying difficulty (such as ‘Ancient Languages of Ireland’ and ‘Giant Steps’), talks, music, storytelling, and crafts, with events based around Gortin Activity Centre and other sites.
- Derry Feis (Feis Dhoire Cholmcille) (7-10 April): A key traditional Irish cultural festival held across various venues in Derry City, featuring competitions and performances in Irish music, sean-nós dancing, storytelling, and other elements of Gaelic heritage.
- City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival (29 April – 4 May, with events starting 29-30 April within the period): Ireland’s largest and premier jazz event, marking its 25th anniversary. It transforms Derry City with over 70 venues hosting world-class jazz, big band, blues, and swing performances, drawing huge crowds for headline acts and free street entertainment.
Other Notable Concerts & Entertainment Events
- This Flight Tonight: The Songs of Joni Mitchell (21 March): A tribute concert to Joni Mitchell’s music in the atmospheric setting of St Augustine’s Church, Palace Street.
- EA Music Springfest Concert (25 March): A seasonal showcase highlighting local musical talent at the Millennium Forum.
- Amazing Cross Community Variety Concert (27 March): A diverse evening featuring soloists, choirs (including Codetta), Irish and Scottish dancers at St Columb’s Cathedral.
- Ulster Orchestra CBeebies Prom: Wildfire Jamboree (29 March): A fun, family-oriented orchestral concert at the Millennium Forum, aimed at younger audiences with interactive elements.
- North Coast Noise: Live in Derry (3 April): A showcase of contemporary alternative and rock music from the North Coast scene at a local venue.
- Dan McCabe Live (10 April): A live performance by the popular Irish folk singer at the Millennium Forum.
Workshops & Community Events
- Photography Workshops (21 & 28 March): Introductory sessions for hobbyists to enhance photography skills, held at Strabane Library.
- Smartphone Free Childhood Information Evening (24 March): A community talk on digital wellness and reducing screen time for children, at Derry Guildhall.
Annual & recurring festivals
Derry is known as a “festival city,” hosting major international events ranging from the largest Halloween celebration in Europe to renowned musical and maritime festivals
- IMBOLC International Music Festival (February): A celebration of Irish traditional music and folklore, featuring concerts, sessions, and workshops across Derry City.
- St Patrick’s Day Spring Carnival (March): A day of music, food, and family fun centered around March 17th, featuring a large street parade and carnival atmosphere.
- Walled City Music Festival (March): A weekend of world-class classical music performances featuring internationally acclaimed artists in historic venues like Christ Church.
- Derry Feis (April): A long-stained community festival celebrating Irish culture through competitive music, dance, and artistic expression.
- City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival (May): Ireland’s largest jazz event featuring, street entertainment and music across multiple venues.
- North West 200 (May): A notable motorcycle racing event attracting large crowds to the “Triangle” circuit.
- Ballyscullion Park Book Festival (May): A literary weekend in Magherafelt featuring readings, talks, and a dedicated children’s book festival on Sunday.
- Foyle Maritime Festival (June – Biennial): A major celebration of maritime heritage along the River Foyle, featuring visiting ships and on-water activities.
- Every Voice Festival (June): A celebration of song that unites various singers and choirs for a week of performances in Derry City.
- Stendhal Festival (July): An award-winning multi-genre arts and music festival held at Ballymully Cottage Farm in Limavady.
- O’Neills Foyle Cup (July): One of Europe’s largest youth soccer tournaments, with matches played across the city and surrounding county.
- Maiden City Festival (July/August): A week-long celebration of the city’s history and culture, featuring reenactments, pipe bands, and activities commemorating the Siege of Derry.
- Carnival of Colours (September): An energetic circus and arts festival that transforms parks into a playground of street theatre, workshops, and music.
- Culture Night (September): A one-night celebration where various cultural venues open their doors for free late-night events and performances.
- City of Derry International Choir Festival (October): An internationally recognized event that brings choirs from across the globe to compete and perform throughout the city.
- Derry Halloween (October): Renowned as Europe’s largest Halloween festival, this four-day event features the “Awakening the Walled City” trail, a massive carnival parade, and fireworks on October 31st.
- Foyle Film Festival (November): An Oscar-affiliated international film festival showcasing a diverse range of features, documentaries, and short films.
- Christmas & Craft Fair (November/December): A festive gathering showcasing local artisans and seasonal products, typically held in the Guildhall.
Festivals
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
Derry:
Introduction – 1837 – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells –Hotels – Hotels8 – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Musicians – Name – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Saints – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers
