Derry Halloween festival cost council £800,000
The four-day event attracted 120,000 attendees and generated millions for the local economy.
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The 40th anniversary of Londonderry's Halloween festival concluded on Saturday, 31 October 2026, with a carnival parade and fireworks over the River Foyle. Organisers have described the event as Europe's largest Halloween celebration, drawing visitors from across the globe.
Economic Impact and Attendance
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Derry City and Strabane District Council spent approximately £800,000 on the 2026 festival. Over the four days, an estimated 120,000 people attended the celebrations. About a quarter of these attendees travelled from outside Northern Ireland, according to BBC News UK.
Tourism Northern Ireland chief executive Laura McCorry highlighted the festival's importance for visitor numbers and economic growth in the north west. She stated that tourism supports over 70,000 jobs and contributes £1.2 billion to the economy, with ambitions to double this figure. Events like Derry Halloween provide a significant boost, encouraging visitors to spend more time in the region.
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Jacqueline Whoriskey, festival and events manager, noted that the last estimate of the economic return from the festival was around £7.4 million. She added that for every pound invested, there is a substantial return, benefiting the entire area.
Festival Activities and Recognition
This year's festival featured events inspired by folklore, mythology, and the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The programme included trick-or-treat trails, live performances, and interactive activities in Strabane, as well as a fireworks display at the Melvin Sports Complex. The carnival parade featured costumes, floats, music, and dance performances.
Derry Halloween has gained international recognition, being promoted across the UK, North America, Europe, and Australia. In 2015, USA Today readers named Derry the world's best Halloween destination, and the New York Times has also featured it in lists of top spooky-season travel destinations.
Businesses in Derry reported increased activity during the festival. Aoife Thomas, sales manager at Holiday Inn Express, confirmed guests from around the world stayed at their hotel. Caroline Casey, store manager at O'Neill's Sportswear, described how their shop was decorated as a spooky graveyard for the event, which had the theme "It's in our Bones".
The final day's fireworks were displayed over the River Foyle on Saturday, 31 October 2026. Similar displays also took place in neighbouring towns including Artigarvan, Castlederg, and Newtownstewart.
Questions this report answers
+How much did Derry City and Strabane District Council spend on the 2026 Halloween festival?
Derry City and Strabane District Council spent approximately £800,000 on the 2026 Halloween festival. This investment supported a four-day event that attracted an estimated 120,000 attendees.
+How many people attended the Derry Halloween festival in 2026?
An estimated 120,000 people attended the four-day Derry Halloween festival in 2026. Approximately a quarter of these attendees were visitors from outside Northern Ireland.
+What is the economic contribution of the Derry Halloween festival?
Tourism Northern Ireland states the festival supports over 70,000 jobs and contributes £1.2 billion to the economy. The economic return from the festival itself was previously estimated at about £7.4 million.
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