More than 100 choirs will descend on Derry this October as the City of Derry International Choir Festival prepares for its biggest festival to date.
Taking place from 22-25 October 2026, the four-day festival will bring singers from across Ireland, the UK and Europe together with hundreds of local singers, school children and community groups for a city-wide celebration of choral music.
Now in its 14th year, the festival has grown significantly, with more than 100 choirs expected to participate in 2026 - the largest number in its history.
And while international and national competitions remain at the heart of the festival, much of the music will happen beyond the competition stage.
A comprehensive Community Programme will bring visiting and local choirs into churches, schools, community spaces and landmarks across Derry and the wider North West, giving audiences opportunities to experience live choral music throughout the festival.
The popular Choral Trail will once again see performances appearing across the city, while community concerts will extend the festival's reach further afield, including performances in Strabane and Letterkenny.
Young singers will also play a major part in the four days. Primary and post-primary schools from across the region will come together for competitions, workshops and the festival's hugely popular Big Sing events, filling the Millennium Forum with hundreds of young voices.
Alongside this extensive programme of participation, the festival will bring some of the world's finest musicians and vocal ensembles to Derry for its headline concert series.
The festival opens at the Millennium Forum on Thursday 22 October with Beethoven - Triumph & Transcendence, featuring the Ulster Orchestra and Festival Chorus conducted by the Orchestra's newly appointed Chief Conductor, Anna Handler, with soloists Gemma Summerfield, Ryan Vaughan Davies and Alex Birkus.
On Friday, Grammy-nominated Tenebrae performs at the Guildhall before a cappella folk ensemble, The Apex Singers, presents an intimate late-night concert at St Columb's Cathedral.
The Oak Tree of Derry International Competition takes centre stage at the Guildhall on Saturday evening, before the festival reaches its finale with the Closing Gala and Awards Ceremony at the Millennium Forum on Sunday night.
The City of Derry International Choir Festival is grateful for the continued support of its funders, Arts Council of Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council and Enkalon Foundation, and its 2026 sponsors, FinTrU, Gray's Communications, McGinnis Group and Caldwell and Robinson, whose support helps make the festival and its extensive programme of activity possible.
Across four days, Derry will become a meeting place for singers of all ages and backgrounds - from local school and community choirs to international competitors and world-renowned professional artists - with music reaching audiences throughout the city and beyond.
The City of Derry International Choir Festival takes place from Thursday 22 to Sunday 25 October 2026.
Tickets for headline concerts and competitions are available from the Millennium Forum Box Office, with group discounts available for groups of 10 or more.
For the full programme and further information, visit derrychoirfest.com.
