Mayor excited to join thousands at Foyle Maritime Festival 2026
19 June 2026
The Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council has said she is excited to attend this year’s Foyle Maritime Festival and has encouraged residents and visitors alike to get involved in what promises to be one of the city’s biggest and most vibrant celebrations.
With a jam-packed programme of maritime attractions, family activities, live music, artisan markets and late-night entertainment planned across the four-day festival, the Mayor has assured there will be something for everyone to enjoy next weekend.
The festival will once again transform the riverfront into a bustling hub of activity with visitors able to enjoy everything from thrilling water sports during the day as well as world-class music from internationally acclaimed artists such as Altan, George Houston and many more throughout the evenings.
Speaking ahead of the festival, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais said, “The Foyle Maritime Festival is one of the highlights of our city and district and we all love to see it come around every other year. I am incredibly excited, as your new Mayor, to be attending and celebrating alongside our locals and international visitors from near and far.
“This festival captures everything that is special about our city – our rich maritime heritage, our vibrant culture, our fantastic local businesses, our talented musicians and most importantly our people. It is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the very best of our city and district and I would encourage everyone to check out the full programme and get involved, you will not be disappointed!”
This year’s festival programme will feature a range of attractions and entertainment across the city, including tall ships, circus performances, family friendly workshops, headline evening performances, extended market trading and a lively riverside atmosphere designed to encourage visitors to enjoy the city both day and night.
Festival organisers are encouraging attendees to plan ahead and take advantage of public transport options where possible, helping everyone enjoy a safe and enjoyable festival experience.
The Foyle Maritime Festival takes places from Thursday 25th to Sunday 28th June 2026 and is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council in close partnership with the Foyle Port and Loughs Agency, with funding from Tourism NI and Diageo.
For more information and to download the full programme, please visit www.foylemaritime.com or follow along on social media.