Spring Carnival 2023

FRIDAY 17th MARCH

– WELCOME – FÁILTE – FAIR FAA YE –– WITAMY – BIENVENUE – WILLKOMMEN –– BENVENUTO – BIENVENIDO –

Winter has faded into the light and we’re celebrating the arrival of Spring in all its colourful splendour with a magical programme of music, dance, food and folklore. Highlights include our vibrant St Patrick’s Day ‘Recycle & Renewal’ Carnival Parade, The Magical Land of the Fairies, Spring Fling and Traditional Irish Music and Dance.

DERRY SPRING CARNIVAL 2023

Friday 17 March

Traditional Irish Music

1pm – 6pm Guildhall Square.

The Magical Land of the Fairies & Little People

1pm – 6pm Peace Garden.

Friday 17 March

The Spring Fling

// 1pm - 6pm // Craft Village

Step into spring with ‘The Spring Fling’ a mini Carnival of Colours with awesome local musicians, incredible circus and street theatre shows. // Delivered By In Your Space Circus

Ceol at the Guildhall

// 1pm – 6pm // Guildhall Main Hall

Come in from the hustle and bustle, take a seat, relax and enjoy some trad music in the beautiful surroundings of the historic Guildhall.

Peace Heroines Exhibition

// 9am – 5:30pm // Tower Museum

The Peace Heroines of Northern Ireland exhibition explores the collaboration of local women working across borders, political and religious divides.

Derry is renowned for its music so come along and enjoy some of the best local traditional Irish musicians and sample the delicious Legenderry food on offer in Guildhall Square.

The Peace Garden will be transformed into the land of the Little People where children can make a wish on the fairy tree and dance until their feet are sore!

Enjoy a pageant of a ‘ Tale of Fairies & Mystical Irish Little Folk’, paying homage to their ancient magical King Brian.

Delivered by: GSCA \ Studio 2

Legenderry Delights

// Guildhall Square

// Fri 17th 12noon – 8pm // Sat 18th 11am – 6pm

Council are delighted to work with the Legenderry Food network to host a pop up Legenderry Food market with local legenderry favourites Dohertys Meats, Lo & Slo, Foyle Bubble Waffle, La Tia Juana, Sliver Bean and Offing Coffee.

PRESENTS

SPRING CARNIVAL PARADE Recycle & Renewal

Famed for their fantastical and flamboyant carnival parades, the NWCI has stepped into Spring for this year’s Carnival parade in celebration of ‘Recycle & Renewal’.

Our 2023 parade will celebrate ‘Recycle & Renewal’ bringing to light a focus on conserving and harnessing the natural environment around us. Living in an increasingly ‘throw away’ society, has led to our ocean’s wildlife choking in plastic and the overuse of landfill sites.

Communities will come together in a parade which will use the elements of nature; Fire, Air, Earth, Water to

highlight the significance of recycling and reusing, reducing waste and the positive impact this can have on our environment for future generations.

Come and celebrate the artistry of our local communities on St Patrick’s Day full of fun and vibrancy.

North West Carnival Initiative

Access and Inclusion Information

DCSDC are committed to ensuring that civic events are as accessible and inclusive as possible. For this year’s Spring Carnival, we have available:

Quiet Space

The Guildhall | 1pm - 6pm

Accessible Viewing Area

Layby on Whittaker Street (across from the Guildhall)

Spaces will be allocated on a first come first served basis, available only between 1.30pm – 4.30pm

Accessible Parking

Limited spaces are available on Foyle Street Car park and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Alternative parking is available in City Centre Car Parks.

For more information contact:

Caitriona Doherty 0287 1253 253

This information is available upon request in a number of formats including large print, Braille, PDF, audio formats and minority languages. For further info please contact 02871 253 253.

All information correct at time of printing.