The festival’s history can be traced back to a small Halloween costume party held at a local pub in 1985. It was the height of the Troubles, a dark and difficult time for Northern Ireland. Brian Doherty, the owner of Doherty’s Bar on Magazine Street, came up with the idea to host a Halloween costume party to cheer up Derry residents.
To his surprise, several dozen people showed up to the party in costumes, and by 9 p.m., the pub was packed. Unfortunately, the pub had to be evacuated due to a security alert. However, this didn’t stop the partygoers. People spilled into the streets and created an impromptu Halloween parade. Thus, a new tradition was born.
Following the success of the first party, it became an annual tradition. Soon, the city council got involved and started organizing a small Halloween carnival, followed by a parade through the city center. In the 1990s, a fireworks display was added to the program, becoming one of the main highlights of Derry Halloween.
Since its inception, the Derry Halloween Festival has grown from an impromptu event into a multi-day festival attended by over 100,000 people from across Europe. The festivities begin several days before Halloween, giving attendees plenty of time to enjoy the magic and mayhem of Halloween in Derry.
The festival program combines Celtic Samhain traditions with street performances by international and local performers, as well as family-friendly activities. One of the main attractions is the Awakening of the Walled City Trail. This interactive trail takes place in and around the historic city walls. It incorporates performances, storytelling, spooky characters, light installations, Halloween crafts, and an artisan market. Open three evenings (October 28–30), the trail spans several themed zones.
The festival culminates in the Carnival Parade, followed by an epic fireworks display over the River Foyle. This grassroots event features several hundred local performers in handmade costumes and large, elaborate floats designed by community groups. About 40,000 people, both locals and visitors, gather in the city center to watch the parade wind through the city and cheer.
Halloween events aren’t held exclusively in Derry. During the festival, the nearby town of Strabane also becomes a Halloween hub, offering light installations, street performances, live music, immersive experiences, trick-or-treating, fireworks, and other entertainment.
The main events at the Derry Halloween Festival — the Awakening the Walled City Trail, the Carnival Parade, and the fireworks — are free, as are the street performances. However, the program also includes ticketed events. Local restaurants and other businesses take part in the festivities by offering special menus and imaginative displays.
Photo: derryhalloween.com
