The 17th Walled City Music Festival 2026 has come to a close following a vibrant and engaging week of music-making across Derry~Londonderry, bringing together international artists, local audiences, and young people from across the North West.
Across four days, audiences experienced a series of live performances at Christ Church, beginning with the inaugural Walled City Music Chamber Orchestra, and continuing with performances from Cathal Breslin, Martina Filjak, Sabrina Hu, David O’Doherty, Clíona Doris, Kirill Troussov, Alexandra Troussova, and Sharon Carty.
Alongside the concert programme, the festival delivered a strong programme of education and outreach, connecting artists with students in schools and at Ulster University Magee, offering insight into life as a professional musician.
The Composer-in-Residence programme, led by Gráinne Mulvey, supported five emerging composers whose work was developed and performed as part of the festival, highlighting Walled City Music’s ongoing commitment to new music.
The festival also extended into the wider community, including a pop-up performance at Foyleside Shopping Centre, bringing live music into the heart of the city.
Audience response throughout the week reflected the festival’s impact, with one attendee sharing: “We enjoyed tonight so much we booked again for tomorrow.”
The 2026 festival once again demonstrated the power of combining performance, education, and creative development, reinforcing Walled City Music’s role as a key cultural voice in the North West.