The weekend before Christmas (Saturday and Sunday, December 19th and 20th) sees Derry’s festive celebration reach it’s crescendo with a programme more packed full of goodies than Santa’s sleigh.

On Saturday before shoppers will have a last chance opportunity to pick up a unique gift at the Walled City Market which will see stalls with a Christmas theme set up on the historic City Walls from 10 am until 6pm. Additional craft producers will be exhibiting their goods in the Piazza area of the nearby Millennium Forum where you can take refreshments and a respite from the Christmas chill.

Saturday evening also sees the Grand Final Concert as part of the  Mayor’s Choral festival at the Guildhall at 8pm. Featuring a magical performance of Handel’s Messiah by Codetta by the City of Derry Youth Choirs with a 30-piece orchestra and soloists, the Messiah concert is a real family Christmas tradition and is as much a part of the festive season as opening presents or the aroma of roasting turkey. 

On both Saturday and Sunday afternoon (2pm to 5pm) the “Winter Woodland” in the Craft Village will be a major attraction with Victorian carol singers and themed characters such as an Ice Queen and Snow King. The Winter Woodland offers a range of family oriented interactive activities kids can make their own decorations at the Christmas workshops and listen to stories by the fireside in the Christmas Cottage. And there will be a real cosmopolitan feel to the whole experience with European community groups will showing off their festive cultural traditions bringing a truly international flavour to the city centre.