City of Derry International Choir Festival 2026

The 14th City of Derry International Choir Festival convenes October 22-25, 2026, gathering world-class choirs and ensembles for four days of performances and competition. The festival opens with the Festival Chorus and Ulster Orchestra performing Beethoven under newly appointed Chief Conductor Anna Handler. Grammy-nominated Tenebrae presents Renaissance to contemporary repertoire at the Guildhall. A late-night concert with The Apex Singers offers a cappella settings for intimate listening. The centrepiece remains the Oak Tree of Derry International Competition, held at the Guildhall, where choirs from across Europe compete for the festival's highest honour. Previous winners have travelled from the Philippines, Ireland, Slovenia, Indonesia, Estonia, Wales and Latvia. The festival closes with a Gala Concert featuring performances from visiting international choirs and announcement of competition results.