Foyle Maritime Festival 2026 set to deliver major economic boost for Derry
The council have said that they are expecting Derry to have a major economic uplift as the Foyle Maritime Festival returns later this month with food, hospitality and local traders set to play a starring role in one of the North West’s biggest events.
Running from Thursday 25 to Sunday June 28, 2026, the festival hopes to transform the riverfront into a bustling hub of activity. It is expected that the event will attract tens of thousands of visitors and deliver a significant boost to the city’s economy.
At the heart of the festival’s offering is an expanded food and hospitality experience, showcasing the very best of local produce alongside international cuisine.
The LegenDerry Food Village, located at Coppins Quay, will feature almost 30 local traders, bringing together street food specialists, artisan producers and independent businesses in a vibrant waterfront setting.
Organisers said festival-goers can expect everything from woodfired pizzas and slow-smoked barbecue to locally sourced seafood, sweet treats and craft beverages, all celebrating the region’s rich food heritage and innovation.
Meanwhile, the Merchant Market at Thompsons Quay will offer a unique international trading experience, combining global street food, local delicacies and handcrafted goods. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a distinctive beach-style hospitality setting, complete with sand, creating a memorable festival dining experience along the riverfront.
Organisers expect the festival to present a significant opportunity for local businesses to benefit from increased footfall and visitor spending. The previous Foyle Maritime Festival in 2024 attracted over 135,000 visitors, generating £7.7 million for the local economy.
They added that It also successfully delivered £1.6 million in PR value with more than 3 million people engaging across social media platforms. With similar or potentially more visitor numbers expected this year, the impact across hospitality, retail and tourism sectors is anticipated to be extremely positive.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Colr Grace Uí Niallais emphasised that supporting local businesses and traders is central to the event’s success. She said: “The Foyle Maritime Festival is a fantastic family festival for everyone to enjoy but it also creates a real economic opportunity for our city. We are proud to provide a platform for local traders, food producers and hospitality businesses to thrive. The festival drives footfall, increases dwell time and ensures that the economic benefits are felt right across the city centre and beyond.”
Doganic Bakery Proprietor Kerona Hasson said they are looking forward to showcasing their range of artisan healthy treats for dogs at the festival.
"We are absolutely delighted and proud to showcase Doganic Barkery again at the Foyle Maritime Festival.
“As one of Northern Ireland's premier celebrations of community, culture and local enterprise, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to share our handcrafted, natural dog treats with thousands of visitors and their four-legged friends.
“We can't wait to meet fellow dog lovers and visitors from near and far and tell the story behind our huge range of products and let people discover why every Doganic Barkery treat is made with passion, love, quality ingredients, and tail wagging happy dogs in mind."
Organisers added that visitors can also look forward to festival bars, live music, street performances and a packed daily programme running from noon until 11pm, activity that is expected to drive strong demand for local cafés, restaurants, hotels and pubs throughout the four‑day event.
The full programme will be available online, with further announcements and daily highlights to follow in the lead-up to the festival at www.foylemaritime.com