O’Neill’s staff to awaken Walter from the grave in spectacular Halloween performance
19 October 2026
Staff at O’Neill’s Sports Store in Derry are swapping sportswear for skeletons later this month with a spectacular performance to mark the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween.
Their Waterloo Place store will become part of the Awakening the Walled City Trail from Wednesday October 28th to Friday October 30th when four members of staff transform into mischievous skeletons for ‘Walter’s Awakening from the Grave’.
The performance in the upstairs window of the store has been created especially for this year’s festival, which has the theme ‘It’s in our Bones’.
Festival-goers will spot Walter the Skeleton keeping watch over Waterloo Place from a giant banner, with his likeness also appearing throughout the store.
Inside, staff have created their own graveyard installation complete with three full-sized coffins, setting the scene for the three-night performance where the four skeletons will emerge from their resting places to perform a lively dance routine, interact with the crowds and cause some Halloween mischief.
The story centres around one particularly mischievous skeleton who decides to wake the other three from their coffins, leading to a music-filled performance designed to entertain visitors as they make their way through the city.
For the O’Neill’s team and Store Manager Caroline Casey the production represents a new experience, with none of the four performers having a background in theatrical production or dance.
“We all love Derry Halloween,” said Caroline. “It’s the biggest Halloween festival in Europe and it’s literally on the doorstep of our shop, so we couldn’t wait to get involved.
“We’ve always dipped into Halloween and decorated the store but the staff came to me last year and asked if we could do our own installation and performance this year as part of the landmark 40th anniversary celebrations.
“Derry and Strabane Council does so much positive work in bringing international events to our city that put us on the map.
“We love to tie in with them, feel part of the energy, and bring that visitor experience right into our store.
“Being right in the middle of the action at Waterloo Place, we felt it was a fantastic opportunity to give something back to the community and join the fun.”
Walter’s Awakening from the Grave will take place in the O’Neill’s Sports Store at Waterloo Place from 6pm to 9pm each evening on Wednesday, October 28, Thursday, October 29 and Friday, October 30.
The performance forms part of the Awakening the Walled City Trail, one of the highlights of Derry Halloween’s five-day 40th anniversary programme, which runs from October 28 to November 1.
More than 120,000 visitors are expected to descend on the city for this year’s celebrations with the programme featuring street performances, live music, fire performers, light projections, aerialists and storytelling inspired by ancient Samhain traditions.
The festival will culminate on Halloween night, Saturday, October 31, with the famous Halloween Carnival Parade setting off along the Queen’s Quay riverfront at 7pm, followed by the spectacular Fireworks Finale over the River Foyle at 8.15pm.
For the full Derry Halloween 2026 programme, visit www.derryhalloween.com.