The UK City of Culture 2013 is a fantastic year’s events of music, art, theatre, festivals and pageants. The Return of Colmcille, Radio 1’s Big Weekend, Lumiere, the All Ireland Fleadh, The Royal Ballet and Celtronic – where do you begin? Well, start here with our easy to use planner and add your essential selection to a personalised itinerary.
Don’t miss out on the LegenDerry atmosphere - be part of a year to remember!
Your Itinerary
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Hidden Treasures Children's Theatre Festival
16 - 23 May
Waterside Theatre & Arts Centre
Waterside Theatres fifth Hidden Treasures Childrens Festival will feature classics such as Each Peach Pear Plum and Rapunzel as well as a Festival in a Day with lots of family friendly activities and workshops.
The Earhart Festival
19 - 25 May
Various Locations
A festival celebrating community arts courage innovation and creative expression. It includes over 40 events the prestigious Amelia Earhart Awards the Earhart Flappers Ball and the Derry Day Celebrity Concert.
Radio 1's Big Weekend
24 - 26 May
Ebrington Square & The Venue
The UKs biggest free ticketed event returns to Northern Ireland with two huge days of big name acts including Two Door Cinema Club and Olly Mur and fresh new music plus a day focused on dance music.
Carnival of Colours
01 - 02 Jun
St. Columbs Park
Local bands street theatre side shows and attractions for people of all ages to enjoy. A great chance to get your family and friends out listening laughing and larking around. Its a festival of fun
The Return of Colmcille
07 - 08 Jun
City wide
An awe-inspiring 2 day spectacle telling the story of the citys founding father. A cast of hundreds will bring myth legend and history to life on both sides of the River Foyle with an event for all ages
Phil Coulter & Friends Live with the Ulster Orchestra
14 - 15 Jun
Ebrington Square
A one-off chance to hear the maestro Phil Coulter with the incredible Ulster Orchestra and very special guests.
Music City with Buena Vista Social Club
21 Jun
The Venue
On the longest day of the year Music City is a huge festival with hundreds of free musical performances across the citys streets squares neighbourhoods venues churches offices and workplaces.
Sky Orchestra
21 Jun
Various locations
A spectacular airborne performance with music for everyone. The Sky Orchestra is made up of seven hot air balloons each with speakers attached which take off (at dawn or dusk) and fly across a city.
Status Quo
22 Jun
The Venue
For rockers of all ages Rock legends Status Quo return to the city to play a massive rock event at The Venue. More hit singles than any other band in UK chart history.
Celtronic
26 - 30 Jun
Citywide
Celtronic is Irelands premier electronic music festival. The festival showcases the best in all forms of electronic music and will include a series of special events connecting electronic music worldwide.
All Ireland Pipe Band Championship
06 Jul
St. Columbs Park & Ebrington
This is a superb family day out watching the best pipe bands and drum majors in the world compete for the coveted title of All Ireland champions.
Graffiti Jam
06 - 07 Jul
Citywide
Graffiti artists from USA Germany Ireland and Britain will unite in the city centre to join with the best local artists for a two-day Graffiti Jam resulting in an arresting 250ft-long themed cityscape.
Twelfth of July Annual Celebrations
12 Jul
Citywide
The annual festivities surrounding the traditional celebrations of the Orange Order. This year will include a series of events marking the Orders contribution to local culture.
Walled City Music Festival
19 - 28 Jul
Citywide
Ten days of classical concerts by internationally renowned virtuoso musicians. The festival presents fresh innovative and exciting programmes from the worlds most exceptional musicians.
Maiden City Festival
03 - 10 Aug
Citywide
A packed weekend of performance and exhibition across the city celebrating diversity and heritage. Music drama and dance events for all the family with special tours and trails around the city.
The 324th Annual Relief of Londonderry Commemorance
10 Aug
City Walls
This is an historic tradition remembering the events of 1688-89. The Commemorations begin with members of the Apprentice Boys Parent Clubs walking the Walls of the historic City.
Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann
11 - 18 Aug
Cultúrlann Uà Chanáin
A family friendly welcoming and vibrant celebration of traditional music including concerts cilithe parades pageants and street sessions. The city will welcome 20000 competitors and over 250000 visitors.
The Walled City Tattoo
28 - 31 Aug
Ebrington Square
A thrilling spectacle of music and dance. With a 600 strong cast and Massed Pipes and Drums get ready for a spine-tingling show with the historic walls of Ebrington as a fitting backdrop.
City of Song Singer/Songwriter Festival
01 Sep - 31 Oct
Various Locations
A weekend of self-penned songs performances. The finest singersongwriters from throughout Ireland Britain and beyond will converge on the City of Song for a weekend celebration of all that is great about this much-l...
The Big Tickle Comedy Festival
01 - 30 Sep
The Playhouse
A festival of local laughs. The Big Tickle Comedy Festival Northern Irelands largest comedy festival will be hosted in a number of key arts venues across the city as well as its traditional home in the Playhouse.
On Home Ground Poetry Festival
20 - 22 Sep
Laurel Villa
A joyous three-day celebration of poets and poetry paying tribute to Seamus Heaneys first world. The festival will feature well-known poets from Ireland and around the world as well as readings by local and emerging...
Roctober Metal Fest
30 Sep - 05 Oct
Various Locations
A festival of pure rock. Roctober Metal Fest will showcase the best of the citys talent alongside national and international acts inspiring a new generation of rockmetal fans and musicians.
Willie Doherty: Unseen
01 - 31 Oct
Citywide
An exhibition of photographs of an unseen or unnoticed Derry. Willie Doherty is one of the citys cultural heroes. A former Turner prize nominee Doherty artistic exploration of his homeland is unique.
Boy Blue Street Dance
02 - 03 Oct
Millenium Forum
A syncopated streetwise dance event with real attitude. Mesmeric and in your face the award-winning Boy Blue Dance Company bring London street dance to the city. Incredible stuff for the young and young at heart
The Turner Prize
23 Oct - 05 Jan
Ebrington
For the first time ever outside England the Turner Prize comes to DerrryLondonderry. This is a unique opportunity to see the work of the four nominated artists before the formal announcement of the winner.
City of Derry International Choral Festival
24 - 27 Oct
Citywide
A four-day celebration of choral activities involving some of the worlds most accomplished choirs who will compete for a prestigious locally-designed trophy.
The Importance of Being Ernest
26 Oct
Millenium Forum
An opera of sheer uninhibited exuberance. The Importance of Being Earnest. based on Oscar Wildes farcical comedy about sex and deceit is a fast and furious rollercoaster ride marrying Wildes wit with Gerald Barrys u...
Banks of the Foyle Halloween Festival
29 Oct - 02 Nov
Citywide
One of the biggest and best outdoor events on the island and the 2013 event promises to be the best ever. Be afraid A spectacular five day creepy carnival for all the family.
Teenage Kicks - A Punk Musical
01 - 09 Nov
Millenium Forum
For old and new punks alike. A musical about teenage lust and love featuringclassic songs from the punk era. Written by award winning novelist and screenwriter Colin Bateman.
The Echo Echo Dance Festival
08 - 17 Nov
Echo Echo Dance Movment Studios
A festival of dance and movement. Echo Echo Dance Theatre Company present a programme of acclaimed dance movement and physical theatre works combining strong local performance with international brilliance.
Santiago Sierra
09 Nov - 21 Dec
Void Gallery
An exhibition by controversial artist Santiago Sierra. His work confronts global labour issues in equality and exploitation and apeas the methods of capitalism in hiring workers prostitutes illegal immigrant laboure...
Lumiere
28 Oct - 01 Dec
Citywide
Four enchanting evenings of spectacular lightworks. Watch as the city is transformed through the use of light. Fire flame neon LED projections and fairytale installations will amaze and delight. For young and old.
Shaun Davey Closing Concert
20 Dec
The Venue
The Ulster Orchestra along with many local musicians will perform Shaun Daveys The Relief of Derry Symphony or the Symphony of Peace. Guaranteed to be one of the performances of the year and a fitting climax to 2013