Events and Animation

The Tourism Development Unit organises a programme of events and animation to increase visitors to the City and enhance the visitor experience – complementing a large range of other events taking place across Derry. For further information see the ‘What’s on Guide’ at: www.whatsonderrylondonderry.com

 

Upcoming Events in 2011

Craft Fair 2011

Derry City Council’s Annual Craft Fair will take place over the weekend of Friday 18th, Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th November 2011 in the Guildhall. Now in its 17th year, the Craft Fair will combine a unique selection of contemporary and traditional craft products from all over the island of Ireland. This is one of the last public events to take place in the Guildhall before it temporarily closes for restoration later in 2011. For more information on the Craft Fair click here: www.derrycity.gov.uk/Crafts.  And if you’re interested in finding out more about the Guildhall restoration project click here.

The Craft fair will also mark the start of an exciting programme of festive events and activities for Christmas 2011 – watch this space for further details. 

 

Planned Events for 2012

The following are events that ran during 2011 that we are planning to hold again in 2012.  Also watch this space for details of new events such as the Cow Parade Northern Ireland 2012. 

 

Summer Animation

The Summer Animation programme typically runs over 6 weeks during July/ August.  It includes an eclectic mix of music, dance street performance, roving historical characters, storytelling and interactive workshops. All of the events are free making the programme accessible to everyone. The programme creates a vibrant atmosphere within and around the historic City Walls and provides a great opportunity for both visitors and locals alike to experience the City at its very best.   Click here for an example of the 2011 programme.

August Craft Month

In 2011 Derry City Council organised a programme of events in partnership with Craft NI around the theme ‘You Make My Monday’, with craft workshops taking place each Monday from 12 -4pm throughout August in the Craft Village. The workshops offer the opportunity for local people and visitors alike to learn from national and internationally renowned craft artists, working with a diversity of mediums across a range of styles from traditional and contemporary to the kitsch and quirky.  Local craft makers within the Craft Village also provided demonstrations on each Wednesday of the month. Watch this space for details of the theme and timings for 2012. 

 

Irish Walled Towns Weekend

The event takes place on the third weekend of August each year as part of a celebration of walled towns and cities throughout the island of Ireland. The programme includes a range of free activities covering live music, storytelling, street theatre, tours, children’s arts and crafts activities and food stalls.  In 2010 as part of the celebrations, Derry City Council together with local chefs hosted a special Seafood Market on to celebrate maritime heritage and showcase the quality of local produce in the North West. The samples of freshly caught local seafood prepared by award winning local chefs were particularly popular and we are currently looking at organising the Seafood Market several times a year.  Click here for an example of the programme for 2011.

 

Culture Night

Culture Night is the renowned initiative created in Temple Bar, Dublin’s Cultural Quarter in 2006. It now takes place in 30 regions across the island of Ireland, offering the public a wide range of cultural attractions and the opportunity to visit iconic cultural venues, buildings and spaces for free.  2011 was the second year Derry took part in Culture Night. Following the success of 2010, the programme increased to over 45 events taking place across the City ranging from chess to cuisine, music, dance and drama. 

One of the highlights of Culture Night 2011 was the Catwalk on the Grand Parade on Derry’s Walls featuring the latest fashions and some of the North’s top models. The Grand Parade is so called as it was the place where the people of the City once gathered to watch the fashions of the day go by.  It was therefore a very fitting location for culture and couture to collide 2011 style. Click here to download an example of the Culture Night 2010 brochure. The date for Culture Night 2012 is still to be confirmed.