Derry Halloween Festival – Northern Ireland 2025

Background & History

The Derry Halloween Festival, Europe’s largest Halloween celebration, has been a cornerstone of Derry~Londonderry’s cultural identity since the 1980s. Originating from a fancy dress pub event, it has grown into a globally recognized festival, voted the “Best Halloween Destination” by USA Today.

Held from 28–31 October 2025, it celebrates the Celtic festival of Samhain with four nights of immersive events across the Walled City. Attracting over 100,000 visitors annually, it features free events like the Awakening the Walled City Trail, Carnival Parade, and fireworks, alongside ticketed workshops and tours, supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council and the Irish Government.

Event Highlights

• Awakening the Walled City Trail: Immersive journey with illuminations, pyrotechnics, and performers, 28–30 October, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, Guildhall Square to Cathedral Quarter, free.
• Carnival Parade: Costumed procession with floats and performers, 31 October, 7:00 PM, Walled City, free.
• Fireworks Finale: Spectacular display over the River Foyle, 31 October, 8:15 PM, free (weather-dependent).
• Little Horrors: Family-friendly storytelling, discos, and shows, 28–31 October, various venues, free or ~$5–$10 USD.
• Tours & Trails: Guided ghost tours and historical walks, 28–31 October, Walled City, ~$10–$20 USD.
• Workshops: Costume and makeup sessions, 28–31 October, Guildhall or speculative Festival Hub, ~$15–$25 USD.

City

• Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland: Known as the “Home of Halloween,” a historic Walled City on the River Foyle, celebrated for its Samhain heritage and vibrant festival scene.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • Guildhall Square: Awakening the Walled City Trail start, Derry, BT48 7BB.
  • The Quay: Fireworks viewing, Derry, BT48 7AY.
  • Cathedral Quarter: Trail endpoint, Bishop Street, Derry, BT48 6PT.
  • Waterloo Place: Heart of Samhain performances, Derry, BT48 6HE.
• Box Office: Guildhall, Guildhall Square, Derry, BT48 7BB.
• Administrative Contact: Derry City and Strabane District Council, 98 Strand Road, Derry, BT48 7NN (inquiries only).
• Note: Additional venues (e.g., St Columb’s Hall, speculative Festival Hub) TBD September 2025 at www.derryhalloween.com.

Date & Duration

• Dates: 28–31 October 2025 (Tuesday–Friday).
• Duration: 4 days.
• Opening Times:
  • Awakening the Walled City Trail: 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, 28–30 October.
  • Carnival Parade: 7:00 PM, 31 October.
  • Fireworks: 8:15 PM, 31 October (weather-dependent).
  • Other events: 10:00 AM–10:00 PM (estimated for workshops, tours).
• Note: Times confirmed for Trail, Parade, Fireworks; others TBD at www.derryhalloween.com.

Venue / Location

• Guildhall Square: Main hub for Trail and performances, outdoor, accessible.
• The Quay: Fireworks viewing area, outdoor, accessible.
• Cathedral Quarter: Trail performances, including St Eugene’s Cathedral, accessible.
• Waterloo Place: Heart of Samhain stage, outdoor, accessible.
• Additional Venues: Guildhall (workshops), St Columb’s Hall (Little Horrors, speculative), speculative Festival Hub near Shipquay Street.
• Note: Full venue list TBD September 2025 at www.derryhalloween.com.

Contact Information

• Email: halloween@derrystrabane.com (general, sponsorship, trading inquiries).
• Phone: +44 28 7125 3253 (office hours).
• Website: www.derryhalloween.com
• Social Media: Follow @DerryHalloween on Facebook, Instagram, X.
• Ticketing: Purchase via www.derryhalloween.com (September 2025) or Guildhall Box Office. Contact halloween@derrystrabane.com for group bookings or accessibility.

Ticket Information

• How to Purchase: Buy online at www.derryhalloween.com (September 2025) or in-person at Guildhall Box Office (cash/card). Collect at Guildhall with confirmation email. Group bookings and accessibility via halloween@derrystrabane.com. Cancellations until 15 October 2025 (~$2 fee). No refunds after 15 October. Book early for workshops and tours.
• 2025 Pricing (Estimated, in USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.25 USD as of August 2025):
  • Awakening the Walled City Trail: Free.
  • Carnival Parade: Free.
  • Fireworks Finale: Free.
  • Little Horrors: Free or ~$5–$10 USD (e.g., storytelling, discos).
  • Tours & Trails: ~$10–$20 USD (e.g., ghost tours, historical walks).
  • Workshops: ~$15–$25 USD (e.g., costume, makeup, based on 2023 £15 rate).
  • Booking Fees: ~$1–$2 USD per ticket.
  • Concession/Student: Limited discounts (~$2–$5 USD, ID required for students, under 16s, over 60s).
  • Kids (Under 16): Free for Trail, Parade, Fireworks with supervision; ticketed events may require adult accompaniment.
• Additional Notes:
  • Core events (Trail, Parade, Fireworks) are free, per web results.
  • Workshop pricing based on 2023 data (£15 ≈ $19 USD); 2025 prices TBD September 2025 at www.derryhalloween.com.
  • Over 50% of events are free, supported by Derry City and Strabane District Council.

Categories

• Cultural & Traditional: Celebrates Samhain and Derry’s Halloween heritage.
• Events & Festivals: Four-day immersive Halloween festival.
• Food & Drinks: Features street food and Samhain baking demonstrations.

Cultural Significance

Derry Halloween, rooted in the Celtic festival of Samhain, is a global draw, attracting 100,000 visitors in 2024. Its free events, like the Awakening the Walled City Trail and Carnival Parade, make it accessible, while its focus on local folklore and history reinforces Derry~Londonderry’s identity as the “Home of Halloween.” The festival’s economic impact, boosting local businesses, and its community-driven ethos make it a cultural highlight in Northern Ireland.

Food & Drinks

• Festival Venues: Street food stalls at Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place (e.g., local cheeses, Samhain-inspired treats, ~$5–$15 USD).
• Nearby Dining:
  • The Guildhall Taphouse: Guildhall Square, Derry (pub fare, $10–$20 USD, 2-minute walk).
  • The River Inn: Shipquay Street, Derry (Irish cuisine, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Browns in Town: Strand Road, Derry (modern European, $15–$30 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Cedar Restaurant: Bishop Street, Derry (Middle Eastern, $10–$25 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Available at stalls and nearby pubs; no outside alcohol permitted.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Free events (Trail, Parade, Fireworks) suitable for all ages with supervision.
  • Little Horrors offers kid-focused shows and discos, free or ~$5–$10 USD; some ticketed events may be 16+.
• Accessibility:
  • Guildhall Square, The Quay, and Cathedral Quarter are wheelchair-accessible with ramps.
  • Contact halloween@derrystrabane.com for accommodations or ISL events (details September 2025).
  • Free events enhance affordability.

Getting There

• By Air: Belfast International Airport (BFS, 90 km, 1-hour drive) or City of Derry Airport (LDY, 12 km, 15-minute drive).
• Public Transport:
  • Bus: Translink Route 212 to Derry Bus Station (5-minute walk to Guildhall Square).
  • Train: Translink to Derry~Londonderry Station (10-minute walk to The Quay).
• By Car: Paid parking at Strand Road (~$1.25 USD/hour, 5-minute walk). Motorhome parking available; check www.derryhalloween.com for bookings.
• Rideshare: Value Cabs or Foyle Taxis from LDY (~$15–$25 USD).

Program Details (Estimated for 2025)

• Confirmed Events:
  • Awakening the Walled City Trail: 28–30 October, 6:00 PM–9:00 PM, Guildhall Square to Cathedral Quarter, free.
  • Carnival Parade: 31 October, 7:00 PM, Walled City, free.
  • Fireworks Finale: 31 October, 8:15 PM, The Quay, free.
• Hypothetical Events:
  • Little Horrors: 28–31 October, St Columb’s Hall or Guildhall, free or ~$5–$10 USD.
  • Tours & Trails: 28–31 October, Walled City, ~$10–$20 USD (e.g., ghost tours).
  • Workshops: 28–31 October, Guildhall or speculative Festival Hub, ~$15–$25 USD (e.g., makeup, costume).
• Note: Programme speculative except for confirmed events; full details TBD September 2025 at www.derryhalloween.com.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024 Highlights: Awakening the Walled City Trail with animations by Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Carnival Parade with 30,000 attendees, fireworks over River Foyle.
• Past Achievements: Attracted 100,000 visitors in 2024, doubling prior years, with international media coverage (e.g., Travelzoo).

Sustainability Initiatives

• Local Partnerships: Supports Derry businesses (e.g., Guildhall Taphouse, local artisans).
• Waste Management: Recycling bins at Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place; digital programmes encouraged.
• Note: 2025 sustainability details TBD; check www.derryhalloween.com.

Educational Impact

• Workshops: Costume and makeup sessions (~$15–$25 USD), Samhain baking demonstrations (free or ~$5–$10 USD), 28–31 October.
• Tours & Trails: Educational ghost and history tours (~$10–$20 USD), exploring Derry’s folklore.
• Community Engagement: Free Little Horrors events promote cultural learning for families.

Cultural Activities

• Awakening the Walled City Trail: Free immersive performances, 28–30 October.
• Carnival Parade: Free procession, 31 October.
• Fireworks Finale: Free display, 31 October.
• Little Horrors: Free or low-cost family events, 28–31 October.
• Tours & Workshops: Ticketed, ~$10–$25 USD, 28–31 October.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Tickets ($10–$25 USD) for workshops and tours sell out; book via www.derryhalloween.com (September 2025).
• Weather Prep: October in Derry (45–55°F) is cool and rainy; pack waterproofs and layers.
• Explore Locally: Visit Tower Museum (5-minute walk, $5 USD) or Peace Bridge (5-minute walk, free).
• Public Transport: Use the Translink Smartlink Card (~$10 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.derryhalloween.com (no app).

Local Attractions

• Tower Museum: The Quay, Derry (5-minute walk, $5 USD). Derry history and Derry Girls exhibit.
• Peace Bridge: Ebrington Square, Derry (5-minute walk, free). Iconic pedestrian bridge.
• Guildhall: Guildhall Square, Derry (2-minute walk, free). Historic civic building.
• St Eugene’s Cathedral: Creggan Street, Derry (5-minute walk, free). Roman Catholic cathedral.
• St Columb’s Park: Limavady Road, Derry (10-minute walk, free). Scenic park.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels:
  • City Hotel Derry: Queens Quay, Derry ($80–$150 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
  • Maldron Hotel Derry: Butcher Street, Derry ($90–$160 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• B&Bs: Bishop’s Gate Hotel, Bishop Street ($70–$130 USD/night, 5-minute walk).
• Hostels: Derry City Independent Hostel, Great James Street ($20–$50 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
• Airbnb: Derry apartments ($50–$120 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 3–6 months in advance for the October peak.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at Guildhall Square; nearest hospital is Altnagelvin Hospital (10-minute drive).
• Security: PSNI presence; crowd management measures for Parade and Fireworks.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; optional masks at indoor venues.
• Weather Preparedness: Umbrellas for outdoor events; most venues are accessible indoors.