Europe's largest Halloween festival is set to mark a major milestone this October as Derry Halloween celebrates its 40th anniversary with a spellbinding programme of spectacle and celebration, unveiled.

From October 28 to November 1, the city will mark the historic moment in style as hundreds of local performers, artists, musicians and community groups come together to deliver five days of unforgettable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

The programme was launched with the official unveiling of a special mural created to celebrate four decades since the festival first began in 1986. The striking artwork commemorates Derry Halloween's remarkable journey from a small community celebration to Europe's largest Halloween festival and one of the island's premier tourism events. Created by local arts collective Peaball, the large-scale artwork has been designed as a lasting legacy piece for the city, and a year-round attraction for visitors.

Central to the celebrations this year is the Awakening the Walled City Trail, which will return to a section of Derry's historic walls this year. The city centre will host a street show, featuring aerial performance, music, animation, fire performances and large-scale visual spectacles. Inspired by the festival's 2026 theme, It's In Our Bones, the trail will explore the folklore, traditions and stories that have shaped Halloween's origins in the North West.

placeholder image — Derry Halloween programme launch.

Among the headline attractions are the Witchy Wonderland, Samhain Sisters - a specially commissioned 40th anniversary spectacle from In Your Space Circus; Walter's Wake, a vibrant New Orleans-style jazz funeral celebrating the city's iconic skeletal figure Walter deBurgh; the aerial production Through the Veil; and a host of new installations, street performances and animated experiences created by local creative organisations and artists.

The city's famous Carnival Parade, produced this year by the Inishowen Carnival Initiative, returns on Halloween night and is expected to attract tens of thousands of spectators as hundreds of local performers take to the streets for a showstopping event. The celebrations will culminate in the festival's iconic fireworks finale over the River Foyle.

The programme also features a packed schedule of family events and activities. The Guildhall will host a programme of children's entertainment, sensory-friendly experiences and interactive performances beneath Luke Jerram's Gaia installation, offering visitors a view of Earth from space. Families can enjoy magical theatre, storytelling, discos, workshops and hands-on activities, while the popular Heart of Samhain area in Guildhall Square, Waterloo Place and Harbour Square will offer live music, street theatre, food experiences and cultural performances throughout the festival.

Music will remain at the heart of the celebrations, with local artists taking centre stage at the Samhain Sounds Stage, while a range of after-dark events will animate venues across the city centre. Visitors can also enjoy tours, trails, family attractions, markets and other spooky experiences throughout the city.

A spokesperson for the council said to reflect their continued commitment to promoting the local creative sector, increased investment has been directed towards local artists, performers, cultural organisations and creative practitioners this year, ensuring that local talent remains at the heart of the festival's success and future development.

Derry Halloween is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism Northern Ireland and The Executive Office. The full Derry Halloween 2026 programme is available now at www.derryhalloween.com