Derry Halloween marks 40 years of unforgettable magic
29 October 2026
The spirits were well and truly awakened this evening in Derry as the City of Bones threw open its doors to welcome visitors from around the world, here to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween.
The spirits were well and truly awakened this evening in Derry as the City of Bones threw open its doors to welcome visitors from around the world, here to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween.
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, was joined by the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, along with tourism leaders and local stakeholders to celebrate the remarkable milestone with a special reception event in St Columb’s Hall.
From humble beginnings in the mid-80s to present day, the festival has flourished to establish itself as the biggest celebration of its kind in Europe, drawing visitors from far and wide seeking an authentic and magical Halloween experience in the very home of the ancient Celtic festival.
This year will see a bumper programme, with new highlights including a return to the City’s historic Walls as part of the Awakening the Walled City Trail, and even more investment channelled into showcasing the talents of local arts groups and performers.
The programme was launched in September with the official unveiling of a special mural created to celebrate four decades since the festival first officially began in 1986. The striking artwork, which features the iconic skeleton character Walter deBurgh from the city’s coat of arms, commemorates Derry Halloween's remarkable journey from a small community celebration to become one of the island's premier tourism events. Created by local arts collective Peaball, the large-scale artwork has been designed as a lasting legacy piece for the city, and a year-round attraction for visitors.
The Economy Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, took the opportunity to acknowledge the significance of the festival in the North West’s tourism economy, and the wider tourism offering of the island.
Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald: “What began as a small local event in 1986 has grown into Europe's largest Halloween festival and one of the most significant tourism and cultural attractions in Ireland. With around 120,000 visitors expected, the festival is expected to generate more than 27,000 bed nights, providing a significant boost for local businesses and the wider visitor economy.
“Derry Halloween provides a unique and compelling reason to visit the city, and with its unique combination of culture, folklore and world-class entertainment, it remains a truly unmissable experience for visitors of all ages. I congratulate everyone involved in its development over the years and wish the organisers, participants and visitors every success for what promises to be another spectacular Derry Halloween Festival.”
The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said: "It’s a tremendous honour to welcome Minister for the Economy Dr Caoimhe Archibald, members of the Tourism Ireland Board, local and national tourism partners and industry leaders to mark the opening night of the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween. The fact that so many of the people shaping tourism across Ireland are here with us tonight is a real endorsement, not only of Derry Halloween, but of the progress our City and District has made as one of the island's fastest-growing tourism destinations.
“What began four decades ago as a local celebration has grown into one of the world's leading Halloween festivals and the flagship event within the Ireland, Home of Halloween campaign. Its success is built on strong partnerships, shared ambition and sustained investment, as well as the extraordinary creativity of the artists, performers and communities who bring the experience to life each year. Together, they have helped deliver significant benefits for our tourism industry and local economy.
“As we celebrate this important milestone, we also look ahead to the next chapter of our tourism story. The commitment and collaboration represented here tonight give us every confidence that the best is yet to come. By continuing to work together, we can build on the success of Derry Halloween, grow our visitor economy and further establish our city and district as one of the most exciting and ambitious tourism destinations on the island of Ireland."
Eimear Callaghan, Director of Client Engagement at Tourism NI, said: “Tourism Northern Ireland is proud to support Derry Halloween as it celebrates its 40th anniversary. Over the past four decades, the festival has grown into one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic events, attracting visitors from across the world and making a significant contribution to the local economy.
“This landmark year provides an opportunity to celebrate the festival’s remarkable success while further enhancing the visitor experience through an exciting programme of events and activities. Derry Halloween continues to showcase the city’s unique culture, creativity and heritage, offering visitors a compelling reason to visit and stay longer.
“As one of Northern Ireland’s flagship tourism events, Derry Halloween demonstrates the important role that major events play in driving tourism growth, supporting local businesses and strengthening Northern Ireland’s reputation as a world-class destination.”
The reception was followed by a tour of the Awakening the Walled City Trail, giving guests the opportunity to experience Derry Halloween first-hand and see the creativity and ambition that continue to attract visitors from across these islands and beyond.
The Trail runs until Friday evening ahead of the annual Halloween Carnival Parade and fireworks display on Halloween night.
Derry Halloween is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council, with support from Tourism NI and The Executive Office.
To view the full programme and plan your trip go to derryhalloween.com