Local groups take centre stage as Derry Halloween gets set for 40th celebration
10 September 2026
Preparations are gathering pace for the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, with the appointment of an Artistic Director for the Halloween Carnival Parade.
Preparations are gathering pace for the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, as Derry City and Strabane District Council today revealed exciting new details about this year's landmark celebrations, with the appointment of an Artistic Director for the Halloween Carnival Parade.
Widely recognised as the centrepiece of the internationally acclaimed festival, the Carnival Parade will return to the city streets on Halloween night, bringing together hundreds of performers, community groups, artists and musicians in a spectacular celebration marking four decades of Derry's world-famous festivities.
Members of Council’s Business and Culture Committee this week received an update on a number of appointments to the creative team from Council’s Head of Culture Jacqueline Whoriskey, with an investment of £255,610 from Council’s Animation Programme being channelled into creating enhanced opportunities for over 40 local organisations.
Investment in local creative talent has risen significantly for Derry Halloween 2026, delivering an increase in funding for local artists, rising from £10,000 in 2025 to £35,000 in 2026 - an additional £25,000 in funding. £196,810 (77%) of the event’s total investment is being directed towards local artists, companies, creatives and musicians, ensuring that the event continues to support the city’s creative community.
Renowned carnival co-ordinator Kevin O'Neill will bring over 30 years of experience to the role, working with three leading local arts organisations - Fuse Arts, Greater Shantallow Community Arts and Newgate Arts Centre - also commissioned to help bring the anniversary parade to life. The additional investment this year will be directed towards supporting local talent and ensuring communities are front and centre in one of the city's biggest cultural events.
Work is well underway behind the scenes, with over 500 participants already signed up for what promises to be one of the most ambitious Halloween parades in the festival's history.
Mr O'Neill, who manages Inishowen Carnival Group, said he was delighted to be leading the artistic direction in such a significant milestone year, with celebrations giving a nod to the event’s colourful past. And he acknowledged the huge amount of interest from local groups keen to be part of the anniversary.
"This year's parade will celebrate 40 years of Derry Halloween by looking back at some of the unforgettable sights and sounds of the 1980s, with sections inspired by the fashion, music and atmosphere of that iconic decade,” he revealed.
“Alongside the birthday celebrations, audiences can also expect to journey much further back in time, exploring the rich Celtic traditions of Samhain and encountering the shape-shifting creatures that feature in our myths and legends. This is such an important part of the festival, which has a strong focus on the folklore and traditions that have shaped our event today.
"We’ve had a fantastic response from groups keen to take part. We will welcome pipe bands, samba bands, Indian drumming bands, dance groups and community organisations travelling from across Derry and further afield - including Magherafelt and Falcarragh.
"As Artistic Director, one of my key priorities is also to increase the number of large-scale parade props, creating even more visual spectacle for audiences. It’s shaping up to be an unforgettable experience.”
Kevin previously served as Artistic Director of the Derry Halloween Parade during the 2013 UK City of Culture year, which introduced a fully themed artistic approach to the event. Inishowen Carnival Group has also played an integral role in the parade over many years, becoming particularly renowned for its large-scale carnival creations.
Welcoming the appointment, Jacqueline Whoriskey, said the 40th anniversary celebrations represented a unique opportunity to reflect on the success of the festival while also investing in the City’s future as the home of Halloween.
"Derry Halloween has evolved over four decades into one of the world's leading Halloween festivals, attracting visitors from across Ireland and beyond while showcasing the creativity, talent and community spirit that defines the city and wider region.
"As we prepare to celebrate this important milestone, we are delighted to see such a strong response from local groups who are eager to play their part in the festivities. This year's additional investment in community participation reflects our commitment to ensuring local people remain at the heart of Derry Halloween.
"The appointment of Kevin as Artistic Director, alongside the involvement of highly regarded local arts organisations including Fuse Arts, Greater Shantallow Community Arts and Newgate Arts Centre, will help us deliver an unforgettable spectacle that celebrates both the rich heritage of Halloween and the incredible creative talent that exists within our communities."
Further details of the Derry Halloween 2026 programme will be announced in the coming weeks as preparations continue for the landmark 40th anniversary celebrations. You can find more information on the event at derryhalloween.com