Arts Organisation Behind Derry's Halloween and St Patrick's Day Parades to Close
An arts organisation renowned for organising the Halloween and St Patrick's Day parades in Londonderry is set to be wound up. Councillors have been informed that the North West Carnival Initiative (NWCI) will enter administration and cease its operations.
NWCI has played a key role in delivering the carnival parade for Derry's Halloween festival, which is Europe's largest, by creating large-scale puppets and costumes in collaboration with local community groups.
NI has reached out to NWCI for comment on the development.
This announcement comes a year after NWCI celebrated 20 years of delivering creative projects in the north west.
Plans Already in Place for 2026 Event
It is estimated that over 100,000 visitors from across the globe attended Derry's carnival programme last year, which has gained international recognition. The event's annual cost is approximately £550,000, but officials from Derry City and Strabane District Council estimate that the 2025 event alone generated around £7.4 million for the local economy.
Jacqueline Whoriskey, interim head of culture, informed the council on Tuesday that plans are already underway to deliver the 40th anniversary Halloween event in 2026. This will be achieved through a new partnership model led by a creative director and involving multiple organisations and community groups.
"This approach is intended to provide paid work and commissioning opportunities for local artists, makers, technicians and suppliers, as well as also strengthening the wider cultural sector by retaining activity and spend locally."
Speaking on BBC Radio Foyle's North West Today programme on Wednesday, Sinn Féin councillor Grace Uí Niallais expressed that it was incredibly sad and disappointing that NWCI would cease operations.
"They have brought so many years of joy through all the different carnivals, such as the St Patrick's Day Spring Carnival and, of course, Halloween, which has attracted visitors from all over the world,"she said.
"We have so many great memories of them being involved.
"Nobody knows Derry Halloween like the artists from Derry, so I feel it's really important that artists from this area lead and have meaningful participation in this parade going forward."
