Derry is preparing for a major economic uplift as the Foyle Maritime Festival returns later this month, with food, hospitality and local traders set to play a starring role in one of the North West’s biggest events.
Running from Thursday 25 to Sunday 28 June 2026, the festival will transform the riverfront into a bustling hub of activity, attracting tens of thousands of visitors and delivering a significant boost to the city’s economy.
At the heart of the festival’s offering is an expanded food and hospitality experience, showcasing the very best of local produce alongside international cuisine.
The hugely popular LegenDerry Food Village, located at Coppins Quay, will feature almost 30 local traders, bringing together street food specialists, artisan producers and independent businesses in a vibrant waterfront setting.
Festival-goers can expect everything from woodfired pizzas and slow-smoked barbecue to locally sourced seafood, sweet treats and craft beverages, all celebrating the region’s rich food heritage and innovation.
Meanwhile, the Merchant Market at Thompsons Quay will offer a unique international trading experience, combining global street food, local delicacies and handcrafted goods. Visitors will also be able to enjoy a distinctive beach-style hospitality setting, complete with sand, creating a memorable festival dining experience along the riverfront.
Organisers say the festival presents a significant opportunity for local businesses to benefit from increased footfall and visitor spending. The previous Foyle Maritime Festival in 2024 attracted over 135,000 visitors, generated £7.7 million for the local economy.
It also successfully delivered £1.6 million in PR value with more than 3 million people engaging across social media platforms. With similar or potentially more visitor numbers expected this year, the impact across hospitality, retail and tourism sectors is anticipated to be extremely positive.
The city is already gearing up for the influx, with new hotels, additional bed capacity and a strong pipeline of accommodation ensuring Derry is ready to welcome visitors from across the North, the Republic of Ireland and beyond. The festival’s growing reputation as a regional and international attraction continues to draw tourists eager to experience its mix of maritime heritage, culture and food.
Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Grace Uí Niallais emphasised that supporting local businesses and traders is central to the event’s success. She said: “The Foyle Maritime Festival is a fantastic family festival for everyone to enjoy but its also creates a real economic opportunity for our city. We are proud to provide a platform for local traders, food producers and hospitality businesses to thrive. The festival drives footfall, increases dwell time and ensures that the economic benefits are felt right across the city centre and beyond.”
Doganic Bakery Proprietor Kerona Hasson said they are looking forward to showcasing their range of artisan healthy treats for dogs at the festival.
"We are absolutely delighted and proud to showcase Doganic Barkery again at the Foyle Maritime Festival.
“As one of Northern Ireland's premier celebrations of community, culture and local enterprise, it’s the perfect opportunity for us to share our handcrafted, natural dog treats with thousands of visitors and their four-legged friends.
“We can't wait to meet fellow dog lovers and visitors from near and far and tell the story behind our huge range of products and let people discover why every Doganic Barkery treat is made with passion, love, quality ingredients, and tail wagging happy dogs in mind."
Jacqueline Whoriskey, Interim Head of Culture with Derry City and Strabane District Council said Council has been proactively engaging with local businesses in advance of the Foyle Maritime Festival to ensure they are fully prepared to maximise the opportunities the event brings.
She said: “Our teams have been engaging directly with the local business community and traders in relation to the Festival in terms of expected visitor numbers, peak trading periods and ways to enhance their offer to capture increased footfall. This proactive approach also includes sharing key operational information such as road closures, access arrangements and event logistics, helping businesses to plan ahead and minimise disruption. Importantly, Council has encouraged two-way engagement, providing opportunities for businesses to share feedback, raise concerns and influence planning, ensuring the festival not only delivers for visitors but also works effectively for the local business community.”
Foodies attending the Foyle Maritime Festival, in addition to enjoying the dedicated food and market areas, can enjoy festival bars, live music, street performances and a packed programme of activities running daily from noon until 11pm, ensuring strong demand for local cafes, restaurants, hotels and pubs.
With the riverfront set to come alive for four days of celebration, organisers believe the 2026 festival will not only deliver a memorable experience for visitors but also reinforce Derry’s reputation as a premier events destination with a thriving local food and hospitality scene.
The Foyle Maritime Festival is delivered by Derry City and Strabane District Council in close partnership with the Foyle Port and Loughs Agency with funding from Tourism NI and Diageo.
The full programme will be available online, with further announcements and daily highlights to follow in the lead-up to the festival at www.foylemaritime.com
