Derry’s biggest community arts festival returns with over 150 events

Féile 2026, Derry's biggest community arts festival, returns this week with its biggest programme of events ever. Here is your guide of ‘must see’ events during the festival.

More than 150 events will take place across the Bogside, Brandywell, Creggan, Bishop Street, Fountain and Derry city centre from August 5 to 15, with eleven days of live music, award-winning films, political discussions, sport, family events and major community celebrations.

One of Ireland's hottest new bands, Madra Salach, will make their Derry debut at the Nerve Centre, while David Kitt will celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Big Romance at Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin and internationally renowned DJ and producer Mano Le Tough returns home to Derry for a special late-night set.

One of Ireland's funniest comedians, Paddy Raff, will headline Féile Laughs at Seán Dolans GAC, joined by special guests Lianne McCooey and Ro Boyle for an evening of hilarious comedy.

Féile's debates and discussions programme will again examine some of the biggest political and social issues facing people today. RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey will discuss workers’ rights, class politics and the power of organised workers, Dr Nick Maynard returns following a screening of Life Support to speak about his experiences of working alongside Palestinian medical staff in Gaza's hospitals, while First Minister Michelle O'Neill, Bernadette McAliskey, Professor Debbie Ging and Dr Susan Lagdon are among the speakers taking part in Féile 2026.

Children, young people and families will once again be at the heart of Féile, with The Greatest Show bringing circus performers and magicians to parks and green spaces across the neighbourhoods. The programme also includes major family celebrations, including Picnic in the Park, Meenan Square Tea Party, Growing Greener Together, Féile Family Fest and the return of the hugely popular Derry City FC Open Training Session at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

The festival will conclude on Saturday 15th August with two major community celebrations. Our People, Our Place will bring a carnival parade through Bishop Street, the Bogside and the Brandywell celebrating the history of the area and filling the streets with music, colour and performance.

Field Day takes over Bishop's Field in Creggan with the incredible Thunder Action BMX Show, live music, Tailteann Games, exhibition matches, football freestyle, fire and circus shows, arts and crafts, face painting and family entertainment.

The full Féile 2026 programme, including registration and ticket details, is available at www.feilederry.com/feile-2026

Your guide to Féile 2026 - Key Highlights:

Wednesday, August 5

Choosing the Struggle – Martina Anderson Book Launch - 7.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Martina Anderson launches her new autobiography in conversation with Daisy Mules. The book reflects on her childhood in the Bogside, her life as a republican activist, her years in prison and her journey as an elected representative from Derry to Brussels.

Thursday, August 6

Superheroes Race and Colm Quigley Jog in the Bog - 6.30pm/7.00pm | Free Derry Corner - Hundreds of people will take to the streets of the Bogside for one of Féile’s most popular sporting events. Organised by Health for Life in partnership with Apex Housing, the event will raise funds for community mental health and counselling services while supporting the campaign to end violence against women and girls.

Irish Republicanism & ‘The Gays’: Cherishing All the Children of the Nation Equally

7.00pm | The Guildhall - The Derry launch of an exhibition examining the relationship between Irish republicanism and the gay liberation movement from the conflict through to the peace process. Featuring first-hand interviews and rarely seen archive material, it will move to the Museum of Free Derry from Friday 7th August.

Friday, August 7

Professor Debbie Ging: Brogrammed – Algorithms, AI and Misogyny - 1.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Professor Debbie Ging of Dublin City University will examine online anti-feminist politics, the manosphere and how boys and men are being radicalised into male supremacist ideologies. The discussion will also look at young people’s experiences of technology-facilitated abuse and efforts to tackle these issues through education.

Life Support – Film and Discussion with Dr Nick Maynard - 7.00pm | Nerve Centre, Magazine Street - Life Support gives a first-hand account of international doctors working on the frontline in Gaza under Israeli occupation and bombardment. Following the screening, surgeon Dr Nick Maynard will discuss his experiences volunteering in Gaza’s hospitals and working alongside Palestinian medical staff during several visits since October 2023.

Saturday, August 8

Picnic in the Park - 2.00pm–6.00pm | Jon ‘Ugg’ Clifford Bull Park - Picnic in the Park returns with live music, amusement rides, arts and crafts, face painting and family entertainment throughout the afternoon.

Séamas O’Reilly in Conversation with Stephen McCauley - 3.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Award-winning Derry writer Séamas O’Reilly will discuss his bestselling memoir Did Ye Hear Mammy Died? and his debut novel, Prestige Drama, released earlier this year with award-winning broadcaster, Stephen McCauley.

The Original Sound of Derry - 8.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Cora Harkin, Dylan Bradley & The Heat, Eimíle, Growing Pains, Rowdy and Siân(na) come together for a special night celebrating original music from the city with some of Derry’s finest emerging talent.

Sunday, August 9

Gaels le Chéile: In Conversation with Tony Scullion - 6.00pm | Seán Dolans GAC, Bligh’s Lane - A member of Gaels le Chéile will provide an update on the campaign calling for preparations for Irish unity. This will be followed by a conversation with Derry All-Ireland winner Tony Scullion about his playing and coaching career, contemporary issues facing Gaels and his thoughts on Ireland’s future.

Féile Laughs: Paddy Raff and Special Guests - 8.00pm | Seán Dolans GAC, Bligh’s Lane - One of Ireland’s funniest comedians, Paddy Raff, will headline Féile Laughs, joined by special guests Lianne McCooey and Ro Boyle for an evening of hilarious comedy. Raff is known for his sharp wit, hilarious storytelling and much-loved characters, while Boyle brings brutally honest stories and quick-fire Irish humour and McCooey offers an irreverent look at life through the eyes of a forty-something woman.

Monday, August 10

It's A Kind of Magic - 6.00pm | Bishop's Field, Creggan - Magician Caolan McBride and Frankie Magilligan bring an evening of magic, comedy and family entertainment to Bishop's Field as The Greatest Show continues its tour of the neighbourhoods.

Eddie Dempsey – Lecture/In Conversation - 7.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - RMT General Secretary Eddie Dempsey makes his first visit to Derry in the role to discuss workers, class politics and the role of trade unions in challenging racism, division and the rise of the far right. One of the most prominent voices standing up for working people, he has helped bring the power of organised workers and public ownership into the centre of public debate.

Tuesday, August 11

Vintage Tea Dance with The Swingtime Starlets - 12.30pm | Pilot’s Row - An afternoon of music, dancing and refreshments with The Swingtime Starlets performing favourites from over 50s and 60s.

Stormont Sources – Live Podcast Recording - 7.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - One of the most-listened-to political podcasts and will be recorded live. Hosted by David McCann, Tim Cairns and Michael McKernan, this will be a person to talk about issues of the moment, and issues of the future with less than a year to go until the Assembly and local elections.

Wednesday, August 12

Donncha Mac Niallais Lecture with Pól Deeds - 1.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Newly appointed Irish Language Commissioner Pól Deeds delivers this year's Donncha Mac Niallais Lecture, reflecting on the future of the Irish language and its place in public life.

Reeling in the Féile – Photo Exhibition - 1.00pm | Meenan Square - Presented in partnership with the Derry Journal, this outdoor exhibition looks back at 34 years of Féile through photographs from the festival and Journal archives, celebrating the people, events and moments that have shaped Derry's biggest community festival.

Meenan Square Tea Party - 2.00pm | Meenan Square/Dove Gardens - An afternoon of music, refreshments and entertainment as local residents come together for one of Féile's most popular community gatherings. Hosted by Mickey Doherty.

Women's Voices – Hopes for a New Ireland - 2.30pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - First Minister Michelle O'Neill joins a discussion and the launch of a new book celebrating the voices and visions of women from across Ireland and the diaspora.

Growing Greener Together - 4.00pm | Pilot’s Row, Rossville Street - Enjoy a fun-filled environmental themed day with smoothie bikes, jewellery making, bouncy castles, The Herbal Hub, Reduce Your Risk workshops and a special appearance from Buzz and much more. With activities for all ages, it’s a great chance to learn something new while having fun with family and friends.

The Greatest Show – Tumble Circus & Jitterbug Jackson - 6.00pm | Abercorn Park - Expect acrobatics, comedy and spectacular circus skills as Tumble Circus brings one of Ireland's best outdoor family shows to Féile. Captain of Chaos Jitterbug Jackson crash lands in Derry with I Used to Dream of Rocket Ships. Expect the seasoned raconteur and Ringmaster of the Absurd to deliver a thrilling mix of circus, comedy, dance, poetry, science and song.

Journacide - 7.00pm | Nerve Centre Cinema - As of early May 2026, over 260 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. With Israel’s new surge of ethnic cleansing in South Lebanon the total has now reached 28 for the same period. This new film by Seán Murray investigates Israel’s policy of Journacide and highlights the collective silence of mainstream media in holding to account the direct targeting of those attempting to uphold the truth. Screening will be followed by a Q&A.

Thursday, August 13

Did Ye Hear About...? Bernadette McAliskey - 2.00pm | Gasyard Centre - Bernadette Devlin McAliskey reflects on her remarkable life and legacy, from her role as a leading figure in the Civil Rights Movement to becoming the youngest woman ever elected to the British Parliament.

The Greatest Show – Grant Goldie - 3.00pm: Magowan Park, Creggan | 6.00pm: Brandywell Park, Anne Street - With his unique humour and a bottomless bag of tricks, Grant Goldie charms audiences with ease. Juggling verbal dexterity as effortlessly as his props, he’s every bit the man, the myth... the leg-end!

KOBACK Live featuring SELLO - 7.00pm | Sandino’s, Water Street - Derry rapper KOBACK plays his biggest headline show to date, joined by Dublin rapper SELLO and a line-up of emerging artists for one of Féile's biggest ever hip-hop nights.

Anything to Declare: An Artistic Border Reflection - 7.30pm | Verbal Arts Centre, Playhouse & New Gate Arts Centre - Dylan Quinn Dance Theatre presents a series of contemporary presentations offering unique creative reflections on the invisible line/border that has divided the island of Ireland for over 104 years.

Friday, August 14

Dr Susan Lagdon – Coercive Control: Where is the Line? - 1.00pm | Holywell Trust, Bishop Street - Dr Susan Lagdon explores coercive control, the warning signs of abusive relationships and why leaving them can be so difficult, as part of Féile's programme supporting the campaign to end violence against women and girls.

Irish Unity – Vote YES - 1.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - A discussion examining constitutional change and the growing debate around Irish unity with Professor Colin Harvey, Reverend Karen Sethuraman and Niall Murphy from leading civil society organisation, Ireland’s Future.

Spanish Civil War – 90th Anniversary Events - 3.00pm – 4.30pm | Gasyard Centre/Lecky Road - A day of events marking the 90th anniversary of the Spanish Civil War, exploring Derry's links with the International Brigades and the fight against fascism. The events include a talk by historian Dr Brian Hanley at the Gasyard Centre, a commemorative tree planting on Lecky Road and the unveiling of a plaque in memory of Eamonn McGrotty.

Anne Cadwallader in Conversation with Sara Duddy - 7.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - Journalist and author Anne Cadwallader discusses her work documenting the conflict.

Madra Salach - 8.00pm | Nerve Centre - One of Ireland's hottest new bands makes their Derry debut at the Nerve Centre. Tickets for this show have completely sold out.

Saturday, August 15

Our People, Our Place Carnival Parade - 1.00pm | Bishop Street, Bogside and Brandywell - Residents, musicians, dancers and performers will fill the streets for a spectacular carnival parade celebrating the history, culture and people of the neighbourhoods.

Féile Family Fest - 2.00pm | Gasyard Centre - Enjoy a fun-filled day for children, young people and families, with a range of family-friendly activities, entertainment and opportunities to get creative.

Field Day – Family Celebration - 3.00pm | Bishop’s Field, Creggan - Bishop's Field in Creggan will host Field Day, an amazing day of music, sport and fun for all the family. Live music, céilí dancing, football matches, Thunder Action BMX stunt show, fire and circus performances, football freestyle with Sam Madden and much more!

David Kitt - 8.00pm | Cultúrlann Uí Chanáin, Great James Street - One of Ireland's most acclaimed songwriters performs The Big Romance in full to mark the album's 25th anniversary. Support from Paul Campbell and Lue Logue.

Mano Le Tough - 10.30pm | Nerve Centre - One of the world’s best DJs and producers Mano Le Tough returns to Derry to close Féile 2026 with a summer dance at the Nerve!