From shopping centres and cafés to churches, schools and community spaces, the City of Derry International Choir Festival is bringing the joy of singing to communities across the North West this October.
You never quite know where a choir might appear during the City of Derry International Choir Festival!
From Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October 2026, the city and wider North West will come alive with music as more than 100 choirs take part in four days of concerts, competitions, workshops and community performances.
And while some of the Festival’s biggest moments will take place on concert stages, there’s plenty of singing happening beyond the concert hall too!
Our extensive programme of Community Concerts, Choral Trails and Sacred Trails will bring local and visiting choirs into the heart of communities, creating opportunities for everyone to experience the joy of live choral music, often in the most unexpected places.
Bringing music into the heart of our communities
On Friday 23 October, the Festival’s community programme gets underway with performances at venues including St Catherine’s Primary School in Strabane, Bishop’s Field Community Centre, An Cultúrlann, U3A Foyle at Gransha and Cathedral Youth Club.
Local singers from Derry and Donegal will be joined by visiting choirs from across Ireland, England, Scotland, Wales and Europe, sharing their music with communities throughout the region.
And that’s just the beginning!
On Saturday 24 October, the singing spreads even further, with community concerts taking place at St Augustine’s, Carlisle Road Methodist Church, the Museum of Free Derry, Londonderry Freemasons’ Hall and Eglinton Community Centre.
The programme will also travel beyond the city, bringing choral performances to communities in Letterkenny and Buncrana.
Keep your ears open – you might just stumble upon a choir!
One of the most exciting features of the Festival is our Choral Trail, which transforms everyday spaces into impromptu performance venues.
Whether you’re shopping in Foyleside or the Richmond Centre, visiting Central Library, enjoying lunch at The Sandwich Co. or simply passing through the city centre, you might find yourself treated to an unexpected musical performance.
There’ll also be singing on the Millennium Forum Piazza and in local hotels, with choirs from Derry, Donegal, Belfast, Dublin, Galway, Wales, Switzerland, Edinburgh, Jersey and beyond bringing their voices to the city.
These informal performances offer a wonderful opportunity to experience choral music up close, with no concert ticket required.
A special Sunday of song
On Sunday 25 October, the Festival’s Sacred Trail will bring visiting and local choirs into churches across Derry, Strabane, Limavady and Buncrana.
Congregations will welcome singers from France, Estonia, Sweden, Germany and Ireland, alongside choirs from Derry and Donegal, for a special morning of music and worship.
Participating churches include St Columb’s Cathedral, First Derry Presbyterian Church, Christ Church, All Saints Church of Ireland, St Mary’s Church in Melmount and St Mary’s Oratory in Buncrana.
The Sacred Trail has become a much-loved part of the Festival, creating meaningful connections between visiting singers and local congregations.
A Festival for everyone
Now in its 14th year, the City of Derry International Choir Festival continues to grow, with more than 100 choirs taking part in 2026 – the largest number in the Festival’s history.
While our international competitions and headline concerts showcase outstanding choral talent, our community programme is all about making music accessible to everyone.
Whether you’re a lifelong choral music enthusiast or someone who has never attended a choir performance before, there’s something special about hearing voices come together in song.
Gilly Campbell, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, said:
“This exciting programme of Community Concerts, Choral Trails and Sacred Trails reaches beyond the festival stages, bringing world-class music right into the heart of local communities across the North West and ensuring that more people from all backgrounds can enjoy arts and cultural experiences.”
The City of Derry International Choir Festival is principally funded by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, with support from Derry City and Strabane District Council and our valued Festival sponsors. Additional funding through the PEACEPLUS Programme supports elements of this year’s Community Programme, helping to bring choral music to communities across the region.
Come and be part of it!
With four days of incredible singing ahead, there’s never been a better time to experience the City of Derry International Choir Festival.
Some performances are worth planning your day around, while others might just catch you by surprise.
No concert hall required. No knowledge of choral music necessary. You might just be in the right place at the right time!
So, this October, keep your ears open. Derry is about to break into song!
The City of Derry International Choir Festival takes place from 22–25 October 2026.
Visit www.derrychoirfest.com to discover more about this year’s Festival.
