Jazz & Big Band Festival
May
The city’s annual Jazz & Big Band Festival has been drawing brassy performers to dozens of venues around Londonderry for more than a decade. Bars, hotels and restaurants all get involved, and the artists themselves cover a broad range of good-time styles.
Maiden City Festival
August
A celebration of diversity taking place in the city’s historic core, the Maiden City Festival centres mainly on music – everything from alfresco bluegrass bands to concert-hall symphonies – but also includes plays, presentations and various other art events.
Big Tickle Comedy Festival
September
Northern Ireland’s biggest comedy festival comes to Londonderry for a full month each September, usually based in the city’s Playhouse Theatre. The majority of the comedians involved are Irish, and the main events are ticketed.
Banks of the Foyle Hallowe’en Carnival
October
The city’s biggest night of the year takes place each 31 October, when Londonderry plays host to what is now billed as Europe’s largest Hallowe’en Carnival. Expect costumed street parties aplenty. Events also take place in the run-up to the day itself.
Foyle Film Festival
November
Now well into its third decade, the city’s Foyle Film Festival is a showcase for feature films, documentaries and shorts from various international filmmakers. The festival also includes side events, educational presentations and panel discussions.