Walls get set to awaken for Derry Halloween 40th anniversary
1 October 2026
Visitors to this year's 40th anniversary Derry Halloween can look forward to an unforgettable journey through the heart of Derry’s historic city centre as the spectacular Awakening the Walled City Trail returns for three magical nights from October 28th-30th.
Visitors to this year's 40th anniversary Derry Halloween can look forward to an unforgettable journey through the heart of Derry’s historic city centre as the spectacular Awakening the Walled City Trail returns for three magical nights from October 28th-30th.
Rooted in more than 2,000 years of Samhain tradition and shaped by four decades of community celebration, the trail will transform the city's streets and historic spaces into a supernatural realm. Visitors can expect a captivating mix of large-scale performance, visual installations, music, storytelling and interactive experiences as ancient folklore is brought to life once more in the Home of Halloween.
Running nightly from 6pm to 9pm, the trail will weave its way through the streets, each offering its own distinctive Halloween experience.
This year visitors will be delighted to return to the city's iconic Walls for part of the Trail, as In Your Space Circus transforms the Grand Parade into the Witchy Wonderland: A Disco of the Undead. Travel through a dreamlike landscape of circus and spectacle guided by a cast of local performers alongside world-class talent.
Along the City Walls at Lower Magazine Street, Visual Spectrum will present Descent an immersive visual experience where landscape, mythology and memory collide – enter and risk the wrath of the Cailleach if you dare.
Free tickets are required for the enhanced City Walls experience and will be available to book on Monday October 5th from 12noon.
Among the other highlights is the return of the legendary Sliantha the Samhain Serpent, emerging through smoke and light at Fahan Embankment, while at the Diamond all eyes will be on the skies for Through the Veil, a dramatic aerial spectacle featuring fire and dazzling visual effects.
The atmospheric Craft Village will host Echoes of Our Bones, where folklore, music, an theatre draw inspiration from the rich traditions at the heart of Halloween, while Walter's Wake on Bishop Street promises a lively and colourful procession featuring giant skeletons, musicians, stilt walkers and acrobats in a celebration that blends the eerie with the entertaining.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said there was much to look forward to. "As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of Derry Halloween, the Awakening the Walled City Trail perfectly captures the creativity and rich cultural heritage that have made our festival internationally renowned,” she declared
"For three nights our visitors will enjoy a truly unique experience where folklore, performance and storytelling come together in spectacular fashion. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience our city in a completely different way and to celebrate the traditions and legends that have inspired generations of Halloween celebrations."
Festival and Events Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aisling McCallion, said: "The Awakening the Walled City Trail is one of the most anticipated elements of our Halloween programme and this year we've created an experience that reflects both the origins of the celebration and the scale of our 40th anniversary celebrations.
"Every stop along the trail offers something different, from stunning aerial performances and immersive theatre to folklore-inspired installations and larger-than-life characters. It's an experience designed to surprise and delight audiences of all ages while bringing the story of Halloween to life in a way that only Derry can.”
To support crowd management and enhance the visitor experience, free tickets are required for the City Walls section of the Trail only, all other trail locations can be enjoyed without a ticket.
Tickets for the City Walls experience can be booked online from 12noon on Monday October 5, with an additional allocation set to be released on each day of the actual event, October 28-30, to accommodate visitors travelling from further afield. Time slots will be allocated on booking, from 6pm – 8.30pm, with relaxed performances available to book at 6pm each night.
Full programme details and ticket booking information are available now at www.derryhalloween.com
Derry Halloween is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism N. Ireland and The Executive Office.