City-wide Christmas programme brings festive cheer to Derby

Prepare to make magical memories as Festive Derby returns, bringing a packed programme of seasonal attractions, events and experiences to the city. Highlights include the popular Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, the cosy Nordic Bar, a spectacular pantomime at Derby Arena, and themed markets and festive entertainment at Derby Market Hall, alongside festive shopping, food and drink throughout the city centre.

Saturday 28 November marks the official start of Festive Derby, with the Christmas Light Switch On, presented in partnership with Smooth Radio, launching a packed season of festive events and attractions across the city. The celebrations begin with a vibrant Lantern Parade led by Surtal Arts, while live entertainment from Derby LIVE and the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter BIDs will create a festive atmosphere throughout the city centre.

The main stage show, hosted by Smooth Radio, kicks off the evening outside Riverside Chambers, across the road from QUAD and the Council House, starting at 5.30pm. The show will culminate with the official Christmas Lights Switch On at 7pm, illuminating the city for the festive season.

Many of Festive Derby’s flagship attractions also open on 28 November. Visitors can enjoy the Nordic Bar and Cathedral Quarter Ice Rink, from Switch On Day. The bar will offer a delicious selection of cocktails and festive drinks alongside a packed programme of free entertainment, including live music, children’s activities and more. It’s the ideal spot to relax with family and friends after a spin on the ice.

Derby Market Hall will also be bursting with festive cheer as seasonal entertainment and activities get underway. Families can meet Santa at The Cathedral Quarter Santa’s Grotto, sponsored by the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District (BID), which opens its doors on the same day as the Christmas Lights Switch On. Each child will receive a special gift and families can take their own photographs with Santa and his elves.

Shoppers can browse Derby’s Ethical Christmas Market, featuring stalls selling jewellery, hand-painted vinyl records, decorations, pottery and more, while visitors can enjoy Festive Afterglow – A Christmas Cabaret, a celebration of Christmas classics, feel-good hits and live performances.

The Switch On will also illuminate light installations across the city centre, presented by the Cathedral Quarter and St Peter’s Quarter Business Improvement District (BIDs) and Derby City Council.

Councillor Gurkiran Kaur, Derby City Council Cabinet Member for City Centre, Culture and Tourism, said:

“The countdown to Christmas is one of the most anticipated times of the year, and our festive events provide a wonderful opportunity for people to come together and celebrate as a community.

“As well as creating lasting memories for families and friends, these events help showcase everything Derby has to offer. I encourage residents and visitors to make the most of the festivities and support local businesses as we head into the Christmas season.”

Don’t miss festive music and entertainment and walkabout characters, brought to you by Derby LIVE and the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, which will be bringing Christmas cheer to the city centre’s streets, along with the return of the popular Snow Globe – the perfect spot for a festive photo opportunity!

Brad Worley, manager for both the Cathedral Quarter and St Peters Quarter BIDs, said: “Christmas is one of the most important and exciting times of the year for Derby city centre. Working alongside our partners, we’ve helped create a packed programme that will bring extra colour, entertainment and festive cheer to our streets.

“We encourage everyone to come into the city, enjoy the celebrations, discover what makes Derby a great place to shop, eat and spend time with family and friends.”

Families can catch a range of fantastic shows in the city. Help! Santa’s Missing, a co-production between The Lost Boys and Derby LIVE, will be enchanting audiences of all ages at Chapel Street Arts Centre. The brand-new festive tale follows two unlikely detectives as they race against time to discover who is behind Santa’s disappearance and return him to Lapland in time to save Christmas.

At Derby Theatre, jump on board for an enchanting journey into a world of steam trains, adventure and courage with The Railway Children, or join The Owl and the Pussycat on their nonsense adventure across the high seas, armed with only some honey, some money and a runcible spoon!

Over at Vaillant Live, you can experience one of the ultimate festive films in a whole new way with Home Alone in Concert, catch a cirque twist on a classic tale with Scrooge Cirque Extravaganza or celebrate Christmas with Showaddywaddy’s Christmas Cracker.

Of course, Christmas wouldn’t be complete without Derby Arena’s smash hit pantomime Snow White at Derby Arena, with CBeebies star Evie Pickerill joining Derby’s favourite pantomime dame Morgan Brind for the fairest panto of them all.

You can also catch a selection of classic Christmas films plus talks and drop-in workshops during Christmas at QUAD, and Electric Daisy will have a special outdoor cinema screening of Elf on Christmas Eve.

Get crafty over at Pickford’s House, where you can try your hand at creating a Christmas Wreath or join in with family activities, or head to Derby Museum & Art Gallery to make festive decorations inspired by the museum’s collections.

Get into the spirit of giving and get your Christmas shopping done while supporting local artists and makers at Artcore, which will also host workshops, and Banks Mill Open Studios. Shop local with Derby Market Hall’s traders, where there will also be special events including the Sugarplum Christmas Market and festive Farmers’ Markets, and pop along to the St Peter’s Quarter Christmas Market at St Peter’s Church.

Don’t miss the Sadler Gate Christmas Night Market on Thursday 26 November, with late‑night shopping from fab indie businesses, unique gifts, fashion, festive treats, plus delicious food, drink, and entertainment.

Head over to the Cathedral Quarter for unique independent shops and restaurants, St Peters Quarter for a vibrant mix of shops, and cafés, or Derbion for your favourite national brands. Enjoy late-night shopping and delicious festive dining along the way. Derbion will also host The Santa Experience with Peter Rabbit, a heartwarming new festive experience for families.

The Old Bell Hotel in Sadler Gate will be hosting two memorable evenings, Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience and the Scrooge Christmas Dining Experience, while Bustler will be hosting Christmas parties throughout the festive season.

If all that’s not enough, Derby Cathedral, St Werburgh’s and St Peter’s Church have a fantastic line up of Christmas carol concerts, special services and events. The Cathedral’s programme includes Vivaldi Four Seasons by Candlelight, Christmas by Candlelight featuring a spectacular cast of West End singers and incredible live band, and an unforgettable evening of Christmas hits, Bublé Christmas by Candlelight. Sinfonia Viva will also host a special Melodic Moments concert at the Museum of Making.

Derby city centre is easy to reach by public transport and the bus station is just across the road from the Market Place festivities. If you’re travelling by car, there are lots of parking options including Chapel Street and Bold Lane multi-storey car parks and several surface car parks, such as Darwin Place.

There’s so much to see and do, so pick up a copy of the Festive Derby Guide or check out the Festive Derby website for the full line up of events.