Derry takes global spotlight in Tourism Ireland's 'Home of Halloween' campaign

PICTURED ABOVE: Odhran Dunne, Visit Derry; Laura McCorry, Tourism NI; John Kelpie, Derry City and Strabane District Council; Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald; Alice Mansergh, Tourism Ireland; and Councillor Ruairi McHugh, Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council. (Photo: Martin McKeown)

This autumn, Tourism Ireland is inviting visitors from around the world to experience Halloween where it all began – here on the island of Ireland – with Derry Halloween as one of the flagship events.

While Halloween is now a favourite calendar moment and celebrated all over the world, not everyone knows that it originated on the island of Ireland around 2,000 years ago in Celtic culture. 

Tourism Ireland’s ‘Home of Halloween’ campaign aims to drive autumn visits and deepen awareness of our unique and ancient connection to the festival. 

There are incredible Halloween festivities running across the island of Ireland from late September into November, including Derry Halloween. Recognised as the largest Halloween event in Europe, Derry’s celebration transforms the historic walled city into a spooky stage for fantasy, magic and immersive storytelling, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year.

To drive incremental bookings, Tourism Ireland has been promoting Halloween and reasons to travel here since early autumn in 12 key tourism markets, including GB, the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, the Nordics, Austria and Switzerland. 

Derry's Awakening the Walled City Trail cancelled for Thursday

The event has been cancelled due to weather warnings for strong wind and rain, although Friday’s main celebration is still planned to go ahead

Highlights of the campaign include:

• Inspiring videos showcasing the magic of autumn and festivals to be enjoyed in Northern Ireland and elsewhere around the island. Click here and here to view.
• Tourism Ireland, in conjunction with Tourism NI, has invited international media and content creators, with a reach of millions, to experience Derry Halloween first hand; these include Lonely Planet, as well as renowned travel broadcaster Gabe Saglie, who will broadcast from Derry Halloween this week across the United States on the CBS, CNN, FOX, ABC and NBC networks.
• As part of Tourism Ireland’s International Programming Ireland Fund, a Halloween documentary is in the pipeline for 2026 and is filming this week at Derry Halloween, charting the evolution of the festival from mystical Samhain traditions to a global phenomenon. 
• Tourism Ireland is sharing the ‘Home of Halloween’ message with its millions of fans and followers on social media worldwide, as well as via its international website, Ireland.com, which has lots of information for potential visitors. 
• Tourism Ireland has partnered with travel platforms overseas to promote autumn trips and drive incremental bookings. To date, these partnerships have delivered over £43 million from incremental booked trips to the island of Ireland.
• From Madrid to Milan to Sydney, Tourism Ireland teams are bringing the origins of Halloween to life to stimulate future travel.

Alice Mansergh, Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, said: “As the birthplace of Halloween, Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland offers our overseas visitors an authentic and original experience at this special time of year.

"Our ‘Home of Halloween’ campaign celebrates both our Celtic heritage and the fantastic modern-day festivals that take place across the island, including the world-famous Derry Halloween.

"We have seen remarkable uptake on our campaign, from global broadcasters and publications to consumers, as well as from travel platforms which are already seeing incremental bookings. We’re proud to work with Tourism Northern Ireland, local councils and Visit Derry to bring the ‘Home of Halloween’ story to life for global audiences.”

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Ruairí McHugh welcomed the Minister for the Economy, Dr Caoimhe Archibald, along with CEO of Tourism Ireland, Alice Mansergh, and CEO of Tourism NI, Laura McCorry, to Derry on Tuesday for the opening night of the Derry Halloween festivities and the Awakening the Walled City Trail.

The Minister said: “Derry Halloween has evolved over nearly four decades from a local celebration into Europe’s largest Halloween festival. With the festival attracting around 120,000 visitors annually, with a significant portion from outside the region, it is a major economic driver for the city and region and showcases our rich cultural heritage.”

The Minister continued: “I commend the council and all those involved in pulling together another year of fabulous events. I have no doubt that all the participants and spectators will enjoy the festivities in the Capital of Halloween and I hope the festival goes from strength to strength.”

The Mayor paid tribute to all the hard work that went into the festival, and despite the showers the crowds were dazzled by fire and illumination. “Tonight truly captured the spirit of Derry Halloween bringing together creativity, community and celebration.

IN PICTURES: Derry's Society Street Market offers scary Halloween experience

Browse a collection of indoor market stalls and street stalls with loads of unique products

IN PICTURES: Derry Halloween kicks off as crowds brave weather for 'Awakening of the Walls'

Despite adverse weather, crowds maintained high spirits for the opening night of Halloween festivities

"A huge congratulations and thank you to all the artists, performers, volunteers and organisers who make this event so special each year. With three more nights to enjoy the festivities I’m really looking forward to welcoming visitors to the home of Halloween over the coming days.”

The Awakening the Walled City Trail kicks off again this evening at 6pm, with plenty of family friendly activities taking place throughout the day.

For more on the full programme go to www.derryhalloween.com.