In 2026 the Derry City Jazz Festival will celebrate its 25th Anniversary so we’re expecting a top-notch programme of jazz in all its forms.
The city has a great reputation for throwing a good party with Derry Halloween, the Foyle Maritime Festival and the Jazz Festival being star attractions.
We went along to the Jazz Festival last year and can truly recomend the experience. We booked a hotel for the Friday night, travelling up to Derry Londonderry by train. Arriving around lunch time, we immediately started our tour of jazz events which took us to 5-6 different venues before we crawled off to bed in the early hours. That didn’t stop us getting up bright and early on the Saturday for the jazz parade and a few more events before returning home exhausted.
As we update this page (end of February 2026) the full programme has not been released but you’ll find the 2025 schedule below to give you an idea of what to expect. Some events are ticketed, others are in public spaces while others are in bars and restuarants where of course you are expected to enjoy the F&B. Not a hard thing to do.
Tip: Book accommodation early as the best value places go first. You can use this link to explore accommodation in Derry~Londonderry.*
Alfresco jazz on the Guildhall Square stage – all photos courtesy Derry City & Strabane District Council
Jazz programme
Headliners
- Billy Ocean – Millennium Forum. Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th May 2025, 8pm, Tickets £49.50
- Una Healy and Luke Thomas with Fly Me To The Moon – A Celebration of the Great American Song Book. St. Columb’s Hall. Friday 2nd May 2025, 7.30pm. Tickets £29.50
Opening event – ‘The Live Launch’ – classic jazz at The Guildhall
- Thursday 1 May • Guildhall 6pm (arrive early as entry is limited), Free*
The Mayor, Cllr. Lilian Seenoi Barr, along with local jazz legends will officially open this year’s
Jazz Festival. Tap along to performances from The Paul McIntyre Quartet with George Hasson, John and Fiona Trotter, Jim Whiteside, Jim McDermott, Joseph Leighton and Colum Arbuckle. Everyone is welcome to enjoy top quality jazz in stunning surroundings!
* Donations are welcome at the event, in aid of the Mayor’s Charity, The Bud Club.
Al fresco jazz
- DLD Second Line Jazz Parade
from The Diamond to Shipquay, Saturday 3rd May 11:00am
A rhythmic core of amazing bands from all over will strut it down Shipquay for all to enjoy. - Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th May, 2025, Free events. The Craft Village, Guildhall Square, St Columb’s College and The Diamond.
Enjoy swing, big bands, singers and choirs and ensembles. Check the programme for times and acts.
Jazz hubs and other events
- A very full programme of free and ticketed sessions at Bennigans Bar, The Playhouse and The Guildhall, Main Hall. Sit back, unwind, and soak up the vibrant sounds of live jazz.
- Check the programme for other events at the Ebrington Hotel, the New Gate Arts & Cultural Centre, The Bentley Bar, Sandinos, Millennium Forum, Guildhall Taphouse, Stitch & Weave, Walled City Brewery, Maldron Hotel … the list goes on!
See the full programme
Visit the City of Derry Jazz Festival website or download the programme PDF here.
Authors: Ryan Harling, Katie McGregor
Getting to the City of Derry Jazz Festival
Well, of course it depends where you are coming from but:
- From Belfast Grand Central Station – the train takes around 2 hours, 20 minutes while the X212 bus makes the journey in just two 2 hours. Bus tickets are Adult Single (cash) £14.50, Adult Day Return (cash) £23.00, with train tickets costing Adult Single (cash) £15.50 and Adult Day Return £24.00.
- From Dublin – The X4 bus takes 4 hours with discounted Web Saver e-tickets costing Adult Single (from) £11.00 and Adult Return (from) £19.50
- By Air – Derry City Airport offers direct connections to UK cities such as Birmingham, Edinburgh, Manchester, Glasgow, Liverpool and London Heathrow.
Accomodation
Check Booking.com for hotels, bed and breakfasts and self-catering accommodation. Remember that if you cannot get accommodation in the city itself, consider accommodation in local towns such as Coleraine and use public transport to get to the festival.
* If you make a booking through booking.com after clicking a link from our site, we may earn a small commission at no extra expense to yourself. This helps motivate us to carry on doing what we are doing. Thank you for your support!
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