‘Christmas Starts Here' as Mayor launches Derry's festive drive

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Uí Niallais, has officially launched Council’s 2026 Christmas programme at the Guildhall.

The ‘Christmas Starts Here’ themed celebrations have a schedule of festive events and entertainment for all the family.

The programme features much loved festive favourites and new experiences, including the popular Guildhall Craft Fair, Christmas Lights Switch-On events in Derry and Strabane, Festive Markets and the Mayor’s Christmas Tea Dances.

It aims to showcase the regions creative talent and encourage people to shop local during one of the most important periods of the year for local traders.

The programme also includes dedicated, sensory-friendly Christmas Lights Switch-On events in both Derry and Strabane.

Full details will be announced soon for the events that will offer a more relaxed and accessible festive experience for children and young people with additional needs and their families.Mayor Uí Niallais, said she was looking forward to celebrating the start of the festive season with local people.“Christmas is a really special time locally and Council’s Maintenance and Electrical team are already hard at work to make sure the City and District will be looking resplendent this year,” she said.

“Our Festival and Events team have developed a wonderful programme, that includes our renowned switch on events where I will have the privilege of lighting up Derry and Strabane town centres for the first time.“We want to create a magical festive experience for everyone in the Council area with a programme of activity that will also attract visitors here in the run up to Christmas.“We have an emphasis on supporting and creating opportunities for our local traders and hospitality providers so they can make the most of their busiest time of the year and I want to encourage everyone to make a special effort to support them by shopping local this Christmas.”

Festival and Events Manager at Council, Aisling McCallion added: “The ‘Christmas Starts Here’ programme for 2026 aims to create opportunities for residents and visitors to embrace the festive spirit, explore our town centres and support our local businesses.

“We have entertainment and activities for all the family to get involved in so we are encouraging people to access the programme and plan your experience with us.“The Christmas Lights Procession to switch on the city’s lights attracts thousands of families into our city centre and climaxes in our 70 foot tall giant Christmas tree being illumulated for the first time in Guildhall Square.”

The programme gets underway in earnest with the Guildhall Craft Fair, running from Fridayc, November 13 to Sunda,y November 15.

The three-day fair will showcase talented local and regional makers and artisan food producers, alongside choral performances.

The celebrations will continue with the Derry Christmas Lights Switch-On on Friday, November 20, featuring an illuminated festive procession through the city centre led by LUXE’s A Fairy Tale Christmas.

Santa will bring the celebrations to a spectacular conclusion by switching on the Christmas lights, with local performers, including Ardnashee School and College Choir also taking part.

In Strabane on Saturday, November 21, a full day of festive entertainment will fill the town centre, with live music, choirs, dance groups, street animation and a festive street market encouraging shoppers to support local businesses in the run-up to Christmas.

Council is also working with traders in Pump Street to introduce a further festive market initiative in the Cathedral Quarter.

For more information and the full programme updates, including details of rural and community switch on events visit www.derrystrabane.com/christmas.