Derry~Londonderry is a city with a deep history, which has shaped its creative landscape, making it a hub for artists, musicians, and cultural events. This historic walled city will Awaken for a Halloween festival like no other - the largest Halloween festival in Europe! Explore beyond the veil with this suggested itinerary from 28th October until 31st October so you can make the most of your stay in Ireland's Halloween Capital.
DAY 1 – Monday 28th October
Getting Here:
There’s plenty of ways to get to the Derry~Londonderry. Fly direct to the city from London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow and Liverpool into the City of Derry Airport. Or travel into Belfast International or Dublin Airport. Check out the Aircoach for transport from both airports, which will take you directly into the city centre. For more information on getting to the city, click here.
3pm Check in at Accommodation
Once you arrive in the city, check into your accommodation. With a range of luxury hotels, self-catering, guest houses and B&B accommodation in the city and region, you’ll experience a legenderry welcome! Explore accommodation options here.
4:30pm Early Dinner at The Corner House & Pub
Walk directly off the iconic peace bridge and in through the front door of this pub and restaurant situated in Ebrington Hotel, where rich mahogany accents, soft leather seating, and dimmed, warm lighting create an inviting and cosy atmosphere.
The menu offers a informal dining experience including favourites such as our locally sourced steak and fish, as well as comfort foods, salads, lighter bites and sweet treats.
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6pm Ballads of the Bones
A mystical journey through ghostly & supernatural folk songs, chants and ballads from Ireland, Scotland and England. A band of four ghostly figures will serenade you, unearthing dark and fantastical tales of enchantment, love, betrayal and death which have been captured in eerie ballads from years gone by. With story-telling & new arrangements of traditional songs sung in hauntingly beautiful 3 part harmony performed with piano, double-bass & guitar. Join us for the Ballads of the Bones!
Recommended age 12 years+. Tickets can be purchased here
7pm The Heart of Samhain | Guildhall Square
During Halloween, Guildhall Square and Waterloo Place will come alive with all manner of creepy ghouls, feasting on the sights, sounds and tastes of Derry Halloween. From 12pm – 9pm on 28th – 31st October, you can discover a taste of LegenDerry at the Haunted Harvest Festival while taking in the melodies of talented local singers and bands on the Samhain Stage. (2).png)
9pm After Dark
No trip to Derry would be complete without a visit to Peadar O’Donnell’s. You are sure to be captivated by the craic with the locals as they get into the Halloween spirit with traditional Irish music.
DAY 2 – Tuesday 29th October
11am Visitor Pass – Walking Tours & Hertiage Venues
Familiarise yourself with the city with a walking tour. While we’re a walkable, compact city, with a cosmopolitan vibe, there’s plenty to explore. For a start, check out Visit Derry’s brand new Visitor Information Centre in Waterloo Place, where you can pick up literature, maps and speak with our helpful tourist assistants. There, you’ll also be able to purchase our great-value for money Visitor Pass (if you haven’t already bought this online). The pass includes two walking tours and entrance to a host of other visitor experiences, including the award-winning Museum of Free Derry, Siege Museum, Guildhall and Tower Museum, where guided tours are available to learn more about our haunted heritage. Choose from a 1-day pass or 2-day pass.
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5pm Dinner at The Exchange
At The Exchange, the team prides itself on being a bit different from other restaurants, delivering the quality of a high classed establishment and wine bar whilst maintaining a very friendly and relaxed atmosphere. Not to mention, the food offering is first class!
7pm - 9pm Awakening the Walled City Trail
If the Walls could talk, what would they say? Embark on a magical journey through the City of Bones and discover more about Derry's historic figures through folklore, music and captivating installations. Highlights from the Trail include:
Rodafonio: The Weirdest Musical Contraption in the World | Bishop Street
A mesmerizing fusion of music, movement and machinery, this captivating street performance is a symphony of geometry in motion, where sound and image merge seamlessly in an intinerant spectacle.
The Spirits of Derry’s Past | The Diamond
Once a busy department store in the heart of Derry~Londonderry, the now vacant haunted halls of Austin’s have a story to tell. During Samhain, historic figures roam the empty store and reflect on their past lives, telling tales of Derry’s rich history through captivating installations. Be sure to dander along Bishop Street to the Courthouse where prisoners of the past break free in The Mythical Escape and infuse the city with a touch of the otherworldly. Performances from Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th October 6pm – 9pm
DAY 3 Wednesday 30th October
10am Ulster American Folk Park
Explore beyond the Walled City for the morning and step back in time at the Ulster American Folk Park as you discover traditions of old and tales of misfortune. Try your hand at barn dancing and taste Hallowe'en fayre like Barmbrack and Apple Tart. Find out how our ancestors from rural Ulster celebrated Hallowe'en over the last two hundred years, and how new traditions were created in America.
1pm Sperrin Sculpture Trail | Nowanois
If hill walking is your thing, then take a trip to the Sperrins, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The scenic heartland offers a complete taste of rural Ireland, featuring some of Ireland’s most stunning landscapes and is just a short drive from Derry city. Be sure to check out the Giants of the Sperrin's Sculpture Trail
6pm Dinner at Cedar
Delicious, authentic food and friendly service - discover a taste of Lebanon at Cedar. The restaurant has a warm, inviting atmosphere, making it the ideal spot for a cosy dining experience.
7:30pm Candlelight Ochestra - A Haunted Evening of Halloween Classics | St. Columb's Cathedral
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Derry. Enjoy spooky classics from The Rocky Horror Show, The Addam's Family and Beetlejuice, all within the the stunning surroundings of St Columb's Cathedral. Performances Wednesday 30th Oct 5:30pm, 7:30pm, 9:30pm Tickets from £15
Day 4 Thursday 31st October
11am Brunch at The Cottage Craft Gallery and Coffee Shop
If you haven't already, you need to explore the beauty of the Craft Village. A hidden treasure trove, the Craft Village provides visitors to the city a glimpse at one of the most beguiling quarters located just outside its famous 17th Century City Walls. When you step inside the Craft Village you’ll be bowled over by its sheer beauty, mesmerising charm and the knowledge that you have quite possibly stumbled upon the jewel in Derry~Londonderry’s crown.
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12pm The Derry Girls Experience
Discover where it all began at The Derry Girls Experience! See original memorabilia from the hit show, like Erin’s diary, Aunt Sarah’s famous pyjamas and Ma Mary’s Woolworths sweater, not to mention the infamous Spice Girls costumes! Step into the set of the Quinn household and feel like one of the family. Sister Michael fan? Don’t miss your chance to sit on her chair and roll your eyes at anyone who crosses your path.
2pm The Muralled City
Street art in Derry is a vibrant and evolving part of the city’s cultural scene, reflecting both its complex political history and its contemporary creative energy. The murals of Derry are much more than artistic works; they serve as a visual narrative of the city’s troubled past and a reminder of the ongoing journey towards peace and reconciliation. From the People's Gallery to more contemporary pieces like the Derry Girls Mural, discover more about our rich heritage.
5pm Dinner at Browns in Town
Welcome to Browns in Town, where vibrant flavors and exceptional service converge in the heart of Derry. The award-winning restaurant prides itself on serving up a culinary experience like no other, with a focus on seasonal, locally sourced produce that ensures each dish is bursting with freshness and flavor.
7pm The Carnival of the Dead Parade
The Carnival of the Dead will take over the streets of the city, bringing the festival to a thrilling close. With its mesmerizing costumes, performances, and community involvement, the parade captures the city's spirit and provides an incredible experience for locals and visitors alike. It’s a must-see event for anyone visiting Derry during Halloween, offering a spectacular blend of art, culture, and eerie fun.
8:15pm Fireworks Finale
End your Derry Halloween celebrations with our iconic Fireworks Finale. Watch the Samhain skies come alive with colour as this decade old tradition returns with a bang!
