Categories: Itinerary

Don't miss Derry Halloween, Europe's LARGEST Halloween Festival. From 28th October, the Walled City of Derry will come alive for four nights of spooky festivities. Check out our 4-day itinerary so you can make the most of your time in our world-famous Halloween destination. 

DAY 1 – Monday 28th October

Getting Here:

There’s plenty of ways to get to the historic Walled City of Derry. Fly direct to the city from London Heathrow, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and Birmingham 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.

3pm Check in at Accommodation

Embrace yourself for a legenderry welcome when you check into your accommodation. With a range of boutique hotels, self-catering options, hostels and B&B accommodation in the city and region, you’ll feel right at home. Explore accommodation options here.

5pm Dinner at Mekong
Set right inside the Derry Walls, you’ll find Mekong. With authentic flavours and the freshest ingredients, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve landed in Bangkok or Hanoi. Expect tasty food, delicious drinks and a cosy, casual atmosphere.

6pm – 9pm Awakening the Walled City Trail

From Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th October, those who dare can embark on a journey along the Awakening the Walled City Trail, where rich folklore, history, and heritage come to life in a truly unique experience. Be sure to experience breathtaking street celebrations of all things eerie, right in the capital of Halloween. From a bit of Derry craic at the Witchy Wonderland on the city’s historic walls to the haunting cries of The Sisters of Mercy on Pump St, you’ll find a bit of Halloween on every corner along the Walled City Trail. Below are just some of the highlights of the trail! Check the official Awakening the Walled City Trail Here 

The Wailing Nuns | Pump Street – Cathedral Quarter
Roaming the cobbled streets of Pump Street, the Sisters of Mercy await your presence. However, brace yourself for their haunting cries and beware encountering one lest you leap out of your skin! Find the nuns lurking in the shadows from Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th October 6pm – 9pm

Spark! | City Centre

This act certainly steal the show every year – Spark! return to Derry Halloween for another season of spellbinding performances. Prepare to be mesmerised by the captivating spectacle of Spark! Get ready to immerse yourself in the enchanting world of live music, graceful movement, and dazzling light. Performances from Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th October 6pm – 9pm, Thursday 31st October 3:45pm
 

The Spirits of Derry’s Past | The Diamond – Cathedral Quarter

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 now 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 the otherworldly.  Monday 28th – Wednesday 30th October 6pm – 9pm

After Dark
Enjoying the buzz in Derry? Continue the night in a range of the city's bars and pubs. Let the haunting melodies of our talented local musicians extend your Halloween experience. Stop by the Guildhall Taphouse for a cocktail or two, or step into Peadar O’Donnell’s for some traditional Irish music and a bit of craic.

DAY 2 – Tuesday 29th October

12pm Brunch at The Scullery

After your first day of sampling Derry at Halloween, you'll want to ensure you are fuelled and ready to go for day two - you haven't even scratched the surface yet! We suggest The Scullery for all your breakfast and brunch needs.

1pm Explore the Walled City with the Visit Derry Visitor Pass

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 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 Derry Girls Experience where.

5pm Dinner at Stitch & Weave
Nestled in the corner of Ebrington Square and directly adjacent to the city's Peace Bridge, the award-winning Stitch & Weave is here to tantalize your taste buds and elevate your dining, drinking and social experience.

6:30pm Elemental Garden & The Blue Guardian| Ebrington Square
Experience a magic elemental world of fire and light in Derry’s Star Fort, brought to you by LUXE. Beware! The Blue Guardian from the old Glendermott Road workhouse has escaped and seeks the children she once cared for. As she reached Ebrington Square, these children will rise from the shadows, singing and dancing, blending with the living.

Until 10pm The Halloween Carnival | Ebrington – Visitor Car Park
Enjoy some childhood nostalgia at Cullen’s Funfair with host of your favourite rides. Don’t miss the Instagram-worthy, panoramic views of the city from the Big Wheel!

DAY 3 – Wednesday 30th October

10am Explore beyond the Walled City | Car Required
The Walled City - where the Wild Atlantic Way Meets the Causeway Coastal Route. Derry is the perfect base for exploring the Wild Atlantic Way and the Causeway Coastal Route. So, while you here, why not explore beyond the walls and discover the beauty of the isle of Ireland.


Take a day trip to see the rugged Donegal hills and its glorious beaches, or why not take an excursion along the Causeway Coastal Route and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site - the Giant’s Causeway. 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

5pm Dinner at Silver Street
Shipquay Street is a great place to watch the world go by while enjoying a bite to eat. Silver Street Bar & Restaurant offers a fresh and creative menu seven days a week.


6:30pm House of Horrors | Old Tourist Information Building, Foyle Street
Come along and test your bravery at Derry’s scariest haunted house. Built on an old graveyard, you’ll encounter some of the most fearsome residents. Are you ready to face your deepest fears?Running Friday 25th - Wednesday 30th October, 6.30pm - 10.30pm. Tickets: £5pp Recommended for Age 12+ For tickets, contact GDI on 028 7126 8748.



7:30pm 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.

Game of Thrones fan? Channel your inner Targaryen or Stark as you take a seat upon the iconic ‘Game of Thrones’ iron throne. Strike your fiercest royal pose for an unforgettable photo op amidst the haunting atmosphere of the Derry Halloween Festival.

After Dark

Keep the spirits high and enjoy a night of music at the Blackbird. Expect great music, a wide selection of cocktails and the welcoming warmth of Derry people.

DAY 4 – Thursday 31st October

Today's the day. The Derry Halloween festivities will be in full swing today as All Hallows' Eve has arrived. 


10am Breakfast 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.

11am The Muralled City 

In recent years, Derry’s street art scene has expanded beyond the politically charged murals of the past. With the growth of urban culture and the influence of global street art movements, artists in Derry have started to explore new forms of expression. This evolving street art scene symbolizes Derry’s resilience and its embrace of creative expression as a form of healing and forward-looking pride.

2pm The Well to Hell

This Halloween, dive into The Well to Hell and immerse yourself in an 8D auditory experience that sharpens your remaining senses when you have no light to rely on. As you sit in complete darkness, the whispers from the other side grow louder and the knocks draw closer…

3pm Get costume ready!
Be sure to dawn your best guises for Halloween night. Costumes are a huge part of the Derry Halloween traditions. In fact, Derry Halloween traditions are said to have started in 1985 when a local pub, now Lizzie O'Farrell's, decided to throw a Halloween costume party. Around 50-60 people showed up and the Halloween party was ago. However, with it being the height of the Troubles, a bombscare meant that the party goers had to evacuate the building. But, Derry people being Derry people, the party continued as the crowd flocked to Shipquay Street to the other bars and pubs. Although no one else was dressed up, everyone got into the spirit of Halloween. The following year, more and more bars announced that they would be throwing Halloween parties. Since then, the LegenDerry spirit has grown into a world-class event. So, grab your costume, add the finishing touches and get ready for an unforgettable Halloween in Ireland's Halloween Capital!

5pm Dinner
Check out our LegenDerry foodie options

7pm Carnival Parade | City Centre 

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!

After Dark - Waterloo Street
For the locals, Derry Halloween is a huge event in our social calendars. So, just because the fireworks have ended, doesn't mean the party has. Be sure to check out Waterloo Street for a cosy yet truly buzzing atmosphere as the Halloween celebrations continue into the wee hours.

Don't forget to tag us in your Halloween celebrations @visitderry @derryhalloween