Journey through Derry’s past and future at the Foyle Maritime Festival
8 June 2026
The much-anticipated Foyle Maritime Festival returns to Derry this summer, where it will transform the city’s riverfront for four magical days from June 25th, with over 100,000 visitors expected to join in the celebrations.
This year, organisers are shining a spotlight on the city’s rich heritage, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the stories, people and places that have shaped the North West, while also looking ahead to its exciting future.
At the heart of the heritage programme is a special focus on the new DNA (Derry~Londonderry on the North Atlantic) Museum, a landmark, state-of-the-art cultural attraction currently under construction at Ebrington Square. Festival-goers are invited to come along to the Festival Village along Queen’s Quay, where the past will be brought vividly to life through immersive experiences and engaging storytelling.
Visitors will have the opportunity to meet a host of living history characters who represent Derry’s colourful past. Among them will be pioneering transatlantic aviator Amelia Earhart, renowned distiller Andrew Watt, eccentric philanthropist Bishop Hervey, and shipbuilder William Coppin. Through live interpretation, these characters will share compelling stories of trade, emigration, innovation, and social change that have defined the region across generations.
The DNA Tent will also feature a range of family-friendly activities, offering visitors of all ages the chance to discover more about Derry’s far-reaching global connections and international influence.
The festival’s heritage focus also provides an opportunity to look ahead, highlighting the transformative projects currently shaping the City and District. As the first of the ambitious City Deal projects, the DNA Museum represents a significant milestone in a much wider programme of regeneration. Visitors can learn more about the exciting plans for the region, including developments along the riverfront, enhancements to the historic Walled City, the regeneration of Strabane Town, university expansion, and other key initiatives set to drive economic growth and opportunity.
Looking ahead to the festival, the newly installed Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said: “The Foyle Maritime Festival is one of the most important events in our city’s calendar, and this year’s focus on heritage offers a wonderful opportunity to celebrate who we are and where we come from. The DNA Museum is an exciting addition to our cultural landscape, and the festival provides the perfect platform to showcase the plans for what will become one of the city’s most popular visitor attractions. I would encourage everyone to come along, explore our rich history, and be part of the exciting journey towards an even more vibrant and dynamic destination.”
Council’s Museum Service Services Manager, Margaret Edwards, said: “We are delighted to bring a taste of the DNA Museum to this year’s festival. The DNA Tent offers the chance to find out more about our stories of transformation, resilience and global connection. It’s an opportunity for visitors to engage with our heritage in a dynamic way and to see how the past continues to shape our present and future. The museum team is excited to see plans progressing well on site, and we are looking forward to sharing some of that experience with our visitors.”
Alongside its heritage offering, the Foyle Maritime Festival promises a packed and vibrant programme of events for all ages. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of water-based activities, explore majestic Tall Ships, and browse the bustling maritime markets showcasing local food, crafts and produce. The festival atmosphere will be further enhanced by a lively funfair, engaging street animation, and a fantastic line-up of live outdoor music performances.
With something for everyone, the 2026 Foyle Maritime Festival is set to deliver an unforgettable celebration, firmly anchoring Derry’s place as a must-visit destination this summer.
You can find out more about the plans for the forthcoming museum and sign up to our Newsletter to stay informed at dnamuseum.com
For full programme details and updates on the festival go to foylemaritime.com