Derry is set to welcome spring with open arms this weekend in a cacophony of color and spectacle

The 2019 Spring Carnival celebrations will be a vibrant celebration of children and young people with a host of entertainment for all the family over St Patrick’s weekend.

The theme of the parade will be Tír na nÓg (The Land of Youth) in celebration of Council's Youth19 programme - a year dedicated to young people aged 12 – 24 where Council will work with young people and partners to promote their voices, needs, priorities, and rights.

The festivities will include music, dance, food and culture and will climax with the Spring Carnival Parade on Sunday, March 17th  when over 800 street performers and dancers will weave their way through the historic city center.

The parade, delivered by the North West Carnival Initiative, will look back at the story of Tír na nÓg and feature depictions of youth in myth and legend both in the Celtic tradition and in the many diverse cultures across the world.

The festival will also feature the Ubuntu Global festival, a celebration of diversity and inclusion through traditional music, song and dance from around the world.

Music features heavily in the programme with young people performing On Street Trad in the streets and squares of the city. Spring Sounds in Guildhall Square will showcase live traditional music and dance while the Forever Young stage inside the Guildhall will host a traditional Irish céilí.

The music for both stages has been programmed by Greater Shantallow Community Arts in preparation for the city hosting Fleadh Cheoil Dhoire in May.

For those seeking a more relaxed environment, the Peace Garden will feature an enchanting performance of ‘Away with the Fairies’ by the In Your Space Circus troop.

Full details of the Spring Carnival are available at www.derrystrabane.com/springcarnival.

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