Derry Halloween brings trail back to City Walls as FREE tickets set for release
Thursday 01 October 2026
Free tickets for the City Walls section of Derry Halloween’s 40th anniversary trail will be released at noon on Monday, October 5, ahead of three evenings of circus, aerial performances and folklore-inspired encounters.
The Awakening the Walled City Trail returns from October 28–30, running nightly from 6pm to 9pm across the historic city centre.
Only the City Walls section requires a ticket. Visitors can explore all other trail locations without booking, with performances and installations spread across streets and public spaces.
Circus and spectacle return to the Walls
The return to the Walls will see In Your Space Circus transform the Grand Parade into Witchy Wonderland: A Disco of the Undead, combining circus and spectacle with a cast of local and international performers.
Along the City Walls at Lower Magazine Street, Visual Spectrum will present Descent, an immersive visual experience drawing together landscape, mythology and memory, with visitors invited to encounter the wrath of the Cailleach.
The wider trail draws on more than 2,000 years of Samhain tradition and four decades of community Halloween celebrations, bringing ancient folklore into the city through music, storytelling, visual installations and interactive experiences.
A serpent and an aerial spectacle
At Fahan Embankment, Sliantha the Samhain Serpent will emerge through smoke and light, while the Diamond will host Through the Veil, an aerial spectacle featuring fire and visual effects.
The Craft Village will provide the setting for Echoes of Our Bones, where folklore, music and theatre draw on the traditions behind Halloween.
On Bishop Street, Walter’s Wake will bring together giant skeletons, musicians, stilt walkers and acrobats in a colourful procession.
Forty years of Halloween celebrations
Festival and Events Manager with Derry City and Strabane District Council, Aisling McCallion, said the anniversary trail would reflect both the origins of Halloween and the scale of this year’s celebrations.
“Every stop along the trail offers something different, from stunning aerial performances and immersive theatre to folklore-inspired installations and larger-than-life characters. It’s an experience designed to surprise and delight audiences of all ages while bringing the story of Halloween to life in a way that only Derry can.”
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, said:
“For three nights our visitors will enjoy a truly unique experience where folklore, performance and storytelling come together in spectacular fashion. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience our city in a completely different way and to celebrate the traditions and legends that have inspired generations of Halloween celebrations.”
Derry Halloween is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council with support from Tourism Northern Ireland and The Executive Office.
How to book the free City Walls tickets
Tickets for the enhanced City Walls experience will be available from 12 noon on Monday, October 5, through www.derryhalloween.com, where visitors can also find full programme details.
Entry time slots will be allocated when booking, between 6pm and 8.30pm. Relaxed performances will be available to book at 6pm each night.
The council says ticketing is intended to help manage crowds and improve the visitor experience. An additional allocation will be released on each event day — October 28, 29 and 30 — to accommodate visitors travelling from further afield.
For anyone planning a visit, the distinction is straightforward: book a free slot to include the City Walls experience, or explore the other trail locations without a ticket. Anyone who misses Monday’s release will have another opportunity through the daily allocations during the event.
