In pictures: City of Derry Jazz Festival 2024

DCSDC jazz band playing on Castle Street in DerryDCSDC
DCSDC dancers at the derry jazz festivalDCSDC

There were a number of street performances in the city
Organisers say the festival draws tens of thousands of people to Derry
  • More than 80,000 people have been in Londonderry over the festival's run, organisers say.
  • With more than 450 performances it is one of Derry's biggest and most popular annual events.
  • Almost 2,000 people took part in a mass performance of Rock the Boat on Shipquay Street on Saturday.
  • The festival draws to a close on Monday.

Organisers of Northern Ireland’s biggest jazz festival say more than 80,000 music lovers have enjoyed events in Londonderry over the bank holiday weekend.

The City of Derry Jazz Festival draws to a close later on Monday.

There have been more than 450 live performances across 72 venues in the city over the five-day festival run.

Jazz festival coordinator Andrea Campbell said this year’s festival had a greater international presence than previous years.

“We had our first band from South Korea this year and we have seen a big uptick in people from that area interested in the festival, so we just seem to be spreading further and further across the globe."

She added: “Seeing everyone out dancing and little pockets around the city that become a stage and everyone just gravitates towards the music, it’s just great to see."

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On Saturday, almost 2,000 people performed Rock the Boat on Shipquay Street.

Derry City and Strabane District Council say the total of 1,888 participants is the most people ever to perform the dance in one place and at one time.

However, Saturday's event is not being put forward for official world record verification by Guinness.

“We were actually overwhelmed at one stage at the registrations, there were that many people coming in,” organiser Noel McMonagle told BBC Radio Foyle’s North West Today programme.

“I have been involved in events for a long, long time in this city and there was something special on Saturday,” he said.