Find your holiday cheer in Derry with our ultimate event guide. For hometown residents and visiting guests, this guide is your ticket to Derry's holiday fun.
Popular events this season include the Titanic’s Magical Christmas Experience, where visitors can step into a world of festive wonder inspired by the iconic ship. With enchanting displays and seasonal activities, it promises a memorable outing. The Enchanted Winter Garden captivates with its beautiful light installations and festive atmosphere, making for a perfect evening stroll. And the Mount Stewart Christmas is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing stunning decorations against the backdrop of picturesque gardens. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Derry
- Titanic’s Magical Christmas Experience (Belfast)
- Enchanted Winter Garden (Antrim)
- Mount Stewart Christmas (County Down)
- Winter Circus (Belfast)
- Christmas on Castle Island (County Fermanagh)
- Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market (Hillsborough)
- Walking With The Snowman™ (Hillsborough)
- Yuletide Market (Rowallane Garden)
- Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum (Cultra)
- Santa Cruise (Strangford Lough)
See these and even more events listed below!
Derry Holiday Light Displays
Enchanted Winter Garden
What to Expect:
Twinkling lights and festive food in a historic garden setting.
Description:
Antrim Castle Gardens transforms into a vibrant Christmas celebration with twinkling lights, rides, attractions, and mouth-watering food at the Festive Food Fayre. Visit Wonderland Wood and meet Santa for an unforgettable evening.
Where: Antrim | More Info: Enchanted Winter Garden
Derry Holiday Markets and Shopping
Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Christmas decorations in a historic royal setting.
Description:
Explore Hillsborough Castle's gardens transformed with beautiful decorations inspired by the 12 Days of Christmas, offering a delightful atmosphere for all to enjoy.
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Royal Hillsborough Christmas Market
Yuletide Market
What to Expect:
Local traders selling seasonal items in a historic garden setting.
Description:
The Yuletide Market at Rowallane Garden returns this Christmas with a packed weekend of local traders, seasonal items, and festive atmosphere.
Where: Rowallane Garden | More Info: Yuletide Market
North Down Museum Pop-up Christmas Shop
What to Expect:
Unique local shopping experience with hand-made products.
Description:
North Down Museum's Pop-up Christmas Shop offers a unique shopping experience filled with beautiful hand-made products from local artists and makers. Browse the museum's galleries to find the perfect gift and support local crafters.
Where: Bangor | More Info: North Down Museum Pop-up Christmas Shop
Winter Illuminations at The Argory
What to Expect:
Festive decorations and local craft stalls in a historic Victorian mansion.
Description:
Explore the beautifully decorated Victorian mansion at The Argory, featuring stunning Christmas decorations, local craft stalls, and festive entertainment. Enjoy live music, food, and unique gift finds while soaking up the holiday atmosphere.
Where: Moy | More Info: Winter Illuminations at The Argory
Castle Ward Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Christmas village with local crafts and Santa's cottage.
Description:
Explore Castle Ward's decorated farmyard, featuring local crafts, storytelling, and visits to Mrs. Claus' cottage and Santa on his Christmas Tractor.
Where: Strangford | More Info: Castle Ward Christmas Village
Dundonald Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Local artisans selling a variety of festive goods.
Description:
The Dundonald Christmas Market features local artisans selling food, art, craft, and skincare. Enjoy artisan street food and specialty hot drinks, including seasonal coffees and hot chocolates.
Where: Dundonald | More Info: Dundonald Christmas Market
Guildhall Craft Fair
What to Expect:
Exclusive handmade Irish crafts and artisan food.
Description:
The Guildhall Craft Fair showcases an exquisite range of bespoke craft items and artisan food created by Irish craft design-makers and producers. The event takes place in Derry’s city centre, featuring exclusively handmade goods perfect for Christmas gifts.
Where: Derry | More Info: Guildhall Craft Fair
Derry Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Winter Circus
What to Expect:
High-skill, all-human circus with inclusive and accessible performances.
Description:
Winter Circus by Tumble Circus is a high-skill, all-human circus featuring death-defying aerialists, hardcore acrobats, and mind-bending jugglers. It offers a warm and inclusive environment with a relaxed performance designed for people with learning disabilities. The event includes a variety of circus devilment and comedy, making it a perfect family day out.
Where: Belfast | More Info: Winter Circus
Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum
What to Expect:
Traditional holiday celebration in a historic setting.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum with traditional festivities, historic exhibits, and authentic cultural experiences.
Where: Cultra | More Info: Christmas at Ulster Folk Museum
Derry Other Holiday Activities
Titanic’s Magical Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday experience with personalized visits to Father Christmas.
Description:
Journey through the Enchanted Forest to meet Father Christmas and his Elves. Visit Mrs. Claus in her cozy kitchen, write and post your Christmas letter, and enjoy festive arts and crafts. Each family will enjoy an individual visit with Father Christmas and a special gift.
Where: Belfast | More Info: Titanic’s Magical Christmas Experience
Mount Stewart Christmas
What to Expect:
Interactive festive activities and workshops in a historic house setting.
Description:
Mount Stewart Christmas features a big Christmas reveal, festive children's trail, seasonal storytelling, and Christmas family activities in the Big House, including wellness and gift-making workshops, twinkly light Christmassy musical performances, and a chance to pick up locally made Christmas presents.
Where: County Down | More Info: Mount Stewart Christmas
Christmas on Castle Island
What to Expect:
Immersive Christmas tale with guided activities and a visit to Santa's Nordic Grotto.
Description:
Embark on a festive adventure to Castle Island, where you can help elves find Santa, decorate your own Christmas bauble, and enjoy a magical Christmas lights display.
Where: County Fermanagh | More Info: Christmas on Castle Island
Walking With The Snowman™
What to Expect:
Interactive sculpture trail featuring 12 artist-designed Snowmen.
Description:
Explore 12 individually painted Snowman sculptures throughout the 100-acre gardens of Hillsborough Castle, inspired by the carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas' and the timeless classic 'The Snowman.'
Where: Hillsborough | More Info: Walking With The Snowman™
Santa Cruise
What to Expect:
Carol-singing boat tour with festive activities.
Description:
Embark on a guided boat trip through Strangford Lough, singing carols and enjoying festive arts and crafts while visiting Santa's Grotto. The tour includes a 30-minute sleigh ride, hot chocolate, and mulled wine.
Where: Strangford Lough | More Info: Santa Cruise
Santa at Montalto
What to Expect:
Spooky games and festive DJ with fireworks.
Description:
At Montalto Estate, immerse yourself in a realm of magic with local artisans showcasing their finest arts, crafts, and foods. Meet Witch Hazel in the stables and enjoy flame-grilled treats, hot drinks, and spooky games. A DJ spins festive tracks, and a spectacular Fireworks Display lights up the night.
Where: Ballynahinch | More Info: Santa at Montalto
An Olde Christmas Stroll at the Ulster American Folk Park
What to Expect:
Historical reenactment of Christmas traditions in 18th-century Ulster.
Description:
Take a stroll through time at the Ulster American Folk Park, where you'll experience Christmas past with guided tours through cobbled streets, warm mince pies, apple punch, and festive stories.
Where: Omagh | More Info: An Olde Christmas Stroll at the Ulster American Folk Park
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Londonderry County Borough (0 miles)
- Coleraine (27 miles)
- Omagh (28 miles)
- Ballymena (42 miles)