[AD] Festive Derby is back and bigger than ever, bursting with family-friendly festive fun, including the return of the Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, children’s fairground rides and plenty of opportunities to meet Santa.
There’s grown-up fun to be had too. Tick off your gift list with a range of festive shopping experiences and sensational seasonal dining across the city’s cafés, pubs and restaurants.
New for 2023, is Derby’s first Christmas Tipi Nordic Bar experience which offers festive tipples under fairy-lit canvas, provided by award-winning mobile bar operators, plus seasonal street food from the surrounding outlets. Cosy up and enjoy an exhilarating programme of live entertainment including music, theatre, comedy, quiz nights and more. Head to the Festive Derby website for full details.
Read my review of Mother Goose at Derby Arena
Christmas Light Switch On
The festivities officially start on Saturday 2nd December, with a range of family friendly fun including Christmas Elf Trail, meet and greets with a range of festive characters, giant snow globes, children’s fairground rides and the Nordic Express – Derby’s very own land train.
From 4pm enjoy a free stage show presented by Smooth Radio’s breakfast show presenter Gareth Evans and Emma Caldwell featuring music from local acts.
Meanwhile, a magical Lantern Parade from Surtal Arts, starts from St Peter’s Church. The dazzling spectacle will light up the night with vibrant lanterns paraded through the city streets, joined by Chinese dragon performers and Bollywood dancers weaving their way to join the Christmas Lights Switch On at 5.30pm.
There are also free family festivities throughout the weekend of Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December at Markeaton Park.
Meet Santa
Step into a realm of pure enchantment as you enter the extraordinary Cathedral Quarter Christmas Grotto at Derby QUAD. Be mesmerised by the Northern Lights experience, an immersive environment that transports you straight to Santa’s magical grotto in the North Pole. Or join Santa for Breakfast at QUAD, or at Derbion, visit Santa’s Magic Cabin or experience a virtual reality sleigh ride.
Festive shopping
Explore Derby’s historic Cathedral Quarter for boutique shopping, the vibrant independent retailers of St Peter’s Quarter or Derbion shopping centre for national brands and convenient late night shopping.
Visit the Museum and Art Gallery shop for stunning handcrafted pieces from a range of local makers.
The festive window display competition Window Wonderland also returns this year. Stroll around the city centre, then vote for your favourite seasonal shopfront via the Cathedral Quarter or St Peters Quarter LoyalFree app. Plus every Saturday in December, enjoy Christmas encounters with festive walkaround acts. Meet the mischievous Grinch, The Gingerbread Man or the cheeky elves.
Theatre and entertainment
There’s a dazzling array of live performances happening across Derby. The award-winning team behind previous smash-hit Derby Arena pantomimes returns to this iconic venue with a spectacular performance of Mother Goose. Enjoy an action-packed adventure featuring Coronation Street’s Todd Boyce alongside home grown talent Morgan Brind. Book tickets.
Read my review of Mother Goose at Derby Arena
Derby Theatre has performances of Three Billy Goats Gruff and Cinderella, whilst Derby Museum and Art Gallery hosts local theatre group, Babbling Vagabond’s Naughty Meg and the Christmas Elves and Derby’s infamous comedic duo, The Lost Boys’ attempt to produce a live audio-play recording of the Christmas movie favourite, It’s A Wonderful Life (LIVE)
Derby QUAD is also hosting the duo for their new take on the Dickens classic A Christmas Carol, as well as daily screenings of festive favourites and family friendly films.
Immerse yourselves in Déda’s Twelve Birds of Christmas and take your tiny ones along to their Dinky Disco.
Derby Cathedral, St Werburgh’s and Jubilee Church at QUAD have a heart-warming line up of Christmas carol concerts, special services and parties. The Cathedral’s programme includes the return of G4’s Christmas Concert and Bublé Christmas by Candlelight.
Read my review of Mother Goose at Derby Arena
With so much to see and do, don’t forget to pick up a copy of the Festive Derby Guide or check out festivederby.co.uk for the full line up of events.
