Tall ships along the quay, a food village, fireworks over the water and the whole city out on the riverfront. The North West's biggest free maritime festival — and a proper family day out.
What's on — a fleet of tall ships and visiting vessels moored along the quay with ship tours, the LegenDerry Food Village and continental markets, live music, circus and street theatre, family workshops and a big wheel, water activities, and an illuminated night spectacle with a fireworks finale over the Foyle.
When — it runs every two years on the Derry riverfront. The last was in June 2026, so the next is expected in 2028 (dates to be confirmed).
Free — completely free to attend; a few extras such as some ship tours or the big wheel may carry a small charge.
Family — genuinely all-ages: ships to step aboard, workshops and children's activities, street performers and fireworks. It's one of the biggest free family days in the North West — over 100,000 come.
Where — the quay and waterfront along the River Foyle, spanning both banks and the Peace Bridge, right in the heart of Derry.
Getting there — come by public transport or use the free festival park & ride; the riverfront and city-centre car parks fill up fast.
What's on
A whole riverfront given over to the sea
The festival takes over the quays on both sides of the Foyle. Here's the spread of what's waiting along the water.
⛵The tall shipsThe centrepiece — majestic tall ships and visiting vessels from across Europe moored along the quay, with public tours so you can step aboard. Recent years have brought a full-size replica Spanish galleon, the Galeón Andalucía.
🍲The food village & marketsThe LegenDerry Food Village and continental markets — award-winning local produce, street food and stalls all along the riverside.
🎪Music, circus & street theatreLive music stages, circus performers and street theatre throughout the site, giving the whole quay its buzzing carnival feel.
🧒Family activities & the big wheelFamily workshops and children's activities for all ages, plus a big observation wheel on the quay for a view out over the ships and the river.
🚣On the waterWater-based activities out on the Foyle add to the fun, right in front of the moored fleet.
🎆Night spectacle & fireworksAfter dark the ships light up for an illuminated night spectacle, and the festival closes with a fireworks finale over the River Foyle.
Plan your visit
When it's on, and getting there
It's free, so there's nothing to book — just come down to the riverfront. The festival runs every two years, so if you're planning ahead, the next one is expected in 2028. It draws over 100,000 people to a compact riverfront, so getting there is the main thing to plan: come by public transport — Derry is served by train and bus from across NI — or use the free festival park & ride (in recent years from Fort George), as the quayside and city-centre car parks close or fill up. Then wander both banks and cross the Peace Bridge between them.
Check the 2028 dates and programme nearer the time.
The festival is biennial and the next edition is expected in 2028, but exact dates, the ship line-up and the travel and park-and-ride arrangements are confirmed closer to the time. Check foylemaritime.com and visitderry.com for the confirmed details before you plan your trip.
Good to know
Everything before you go
When
A biennial (every-two-years) festival on the Derry riverfront. The most recent ran in June 2026; the next is expected in 2028 (dates to be confirmed).
Cost
Free to attend. A few extras — some ship tours or the big wheel — may carry a small charge.
Where
The quay and waterfront along the River Foyle in Derry~Londonderry, across both banks and the Peace Bridge, centred on Queen's Quay.
Getting there
Come by public transport (Derry is reachable by train and bus across NI), or use the free festival park & ride laid on for the event — the quayside and central car parks fill up or close.
Family
A genuinely family-friendly day — tall ships to explore, workshops and children's activities, street performers, a big wheel and fireworks.
Accessibility
Accessible parking is usually provided; for full accessibility detail (accessible viewing, toilets, assistance dogs), check the official festival FAQ nearer the time.
Food
The LegenDerry Food Village and continental markets serve local produce and street food all along the riverside.
Weather
A summer riverside festival — bright and warm one minute, showery the next, so bring a light layer for a day on the exposed quay.
Questions
The Foyle Maritime Festival, answered
When is the next Foyle Maritime Festival?
It runs every two years on the Derry riverfront. The last was in June 2026, so the next is expected in 2028 — check foylemaritime.com for the confirmed dates nearer the time.
Is it free?
Yes — it's completely free to attend. A few extras, such as some ship tours or the big observation wheel, may carry a small charge.
What's on for families?
Loads — tall ships to step aboard, family workshops and children's activities, circus and street performers, a big wheel, water activities and a fireworks finale. It's one of the biggest free family days in the North West.
Where is it, and how do I get there?
On the quay and waterfront along the River Foyle in Derry, across both banks and the Peace Bridge. Come by public transport or the free festival park & ride — the quayside and city-centre car parks close or fill up.
Can I go aboard the ships?
Yes — the festival runs public tours of many of the tall ships and visiting vessels moored along the quay, a real highlight for children. Some tours may need a ticket.
When are the fireworks?
The festival closes with a fireworks finale over the River Foyle, usually on the final evening. Check the programme for the exact time when it's published.
Getting there
The Foyle quay and riverfront, Derry~Londonderry (around Queen's Quay, BT48), spanning both banks and the Peace Bridge. Come by public transport or the free festival park & ride — the quayside and city-centre car parks fill up or close for the festival.
The Foyle Maritime Festival grew up around Derry's turn as a host port in the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race — the homecoming of the city's own boat in 2012 drew around 120,000 people, and by 2018 the festival was pulling in more than 200,000 as the Clipper fleet sailed up the Foyle. When the round-the-world race moved on, the city reinvented the festival in a new form, built around tall ships and entertainment rather than the race — and it has thrived, proving it stands on its own.
It's fitting that it lives on the water. The River Foyle runs through the very heart of Derry, its quays shaped by centuries of trade and emigration, its two banks now stitched together by the Peace Bridge. For a few days every couple of years the whole city comes down to the riverside to celebrate that story — with ships, food, music and fireworks reflected in the Foyle. Come down to the water and be part of it.