Bastion Youth Festival

Bastion Youth Festival is an innovative new festival programmed by young people for young people, using Derry~Londonderry’s built heritage as the backdrop, including the Walls, Tower Museum and Ebrington, to stage a range of events and workshops.

Starting on Friday 13th September, the exciting youth festival will be multi-genre and include virtual reality, gaming, film, photography, music and art events and hands-on masterclasses.

The event listing is below:

Saturday 14 September
11am - 5pm

Be Inspired! Art Exhibition

Nerve Centre

A group exhibition of artwork and photography hosted and produced by young people from across Northern Ireland. Full list of artists to be announced. Free.

12 - 5pm

Gamers Guild

The Guildhall

Immerse yourself in a live gaming experience like no other with retro games, virtual reality headsets and interactive games. Get hands-on with digital fabrication equipment and design your own tote bag. Or go old-school in our board game zone Don’t forget to capture the day in our Derry-themed photobooth. Free.


12pm - 9pm

Pop-up cinema

Programmed by Ones to Watch at Nerve Centre

Details coming soon.

12pm - 5pm

Escape Room

Tower Museum

£2 + Booking Fee

Race against the clock with this Spanish Armada themed Escape Room. Solve clues and complete tasks using the museum's collections and artefacts.

Are you ready to play?

**Please note the escape room takes place in hourly slots in groups of six**

Tickets: https://bit.ly/30PcdvG


11am-1pm & 2pm - 4pm

Graffiti Workshop

Guildhall Square

£3 + Booking Fee

Grab a can of spray paint and unleash your creativity. Join the creators of the famous Derry Girls mural, UV Arts, and help them create a new piece of artwork.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/2MIbnh3


12 - 5pm Secret Gigs

The Walls

Be one of five attendees at our secret pop-up music gigs taking place in a unique pod on the Walls. When you find us and if you’re lucky to get a golden ticket you’ll be invited in for a memorable 3minute one-off exclusive gig! Who is performing? Now, that would be telling….

Shhh. Don’t tell anyone!

12 - 3pm

DSLR Photography Workshop

The Walls / Nerve Centre

£3 + Booking Fee

Shots by Oliver hosts this fun, interactive and practical workshop for young people aged 13+ who have an interest in photography. Using the Walls as the backdrop the workshop will cover the creative elements of photography, including lighting, composition and editing. DSLR cameras will be provided.

Starting point is Nerve Centre.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/327L8nM


10pm - 11.30pm (doors at 9.15pm)

Live Podcast: Colin Geddis, Aaron McCann & Mark McCarney

Nerve Centre

£5 + Booking Fee

Over 18s only

Join three of Northern Ireland’s funniest comedians for the recording of a special Derry-themed podcast.

Tickets: https://bit.ly/2ZqDAjb



Sunday 15 September
10am - 11am Yoga Brunch

Garden of Reflection

£2 + Booking Fee

Start the morning the right way! Yoga and relaxation meditation with Cathy Brogan. Suitable for all ages. Mats will be provided

Tickets: https://bit.ly/2PlFUTR


12pm - 5pm

Escape Room

Tower Museum

£2 + Booking Fee

Race against the clock with this Spanish Armada themed Escape Room. Solve clues and complete tasks using the museum's collections and artefacts.

Are you ready to play?

**Please note the escape room takes place in hourly slots in groups of six**

Tickets: https://bit.ly/30PcdvG


Bastion Youth Festival is an innovative new festival programmed by young people for young people, using Derry~Londonderry’s built heritage as the backdrop. It is supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Derry City and Strabane District Council’s Youth19 Golden Event Fund.