Derry City and Strabane District Council has released its Christmas 2020 programme, titled 'Christmas Starts Here'. The schedule includes craft fairs, lights switch-on events, festive markets, and tea dances hosted by the Mayor.

The Guildhall Craft Fair will open the season, running from Friday November 13 to Sunday November 15. Derry's Christmas lights switch-on is set for Friday November 20, featuring an illuminated procession led by LUXE's A Fairy Tale Christmas. Santa will switch on the lights, and local performers including Ardnashee School and College Choir will take part.

In Strabane, the lights switch-on takes place on Saturday November 21 with a day of live music and a festive street market. The council is also working with traders in Pump Street to introduce a festive market initiative in the Cathedral Quarter.

The programme includes sensory-friendly Christmas Lights switch-on events in both Derry and Strabane, aimed at children and young people with additional needs and their families. Further details will be announced soon.

Mayor Uí Niallais said the council wants to support local traders and hospitality providers during their busiest period, and encouraged everyone to shop local.

Festival and Events Manager Aisling McCallion said the Derry procession attracts thousands of families into the city centre and ends with the illumination of a 70 foot Christmas tree in Guildhall Square.