09.10.2025
Derby Season of Light returns for 202522 October to 5 December Autumn is here which means one thing….return of Derby Season of Light Festival (DSOL)! We are super excited to celebrate 5th year of DSOL with an inspiring world music, dance, willow craft and lantern parade from October to December. We have carefully curated a family friendly festival that will celebrate Derby’s dazzling diversity and creativity with a range diverse arts activities and events will take place across Derby and Derbyshire shining a spotlight on the universal theme of ‘Light, Peace and Friendship’. Surtal Arts has a history of partnering with Kedleston Hall celebrating Diwali in Derby. Therefore, this year we were thrilled to be commissioned by Kedleston Hall, National Trust to create ‘Surya’ paying homage to the Sun God, through Indian classical Odissi dance by Sowmya Maiya with Indian violin composition from Pt.Kamalbir Singh, in response to ‘Helios’ sculpture installation by Luke Jerram. Our Diwali in Derby education programme in schools is in full swing enriching young lives. at schools through out Derby & Derbyshire. We will conclude DSOL with another dance and music performance, ‘Roshni‘ where renowned Kathak Dancer Jaimini Sahai will perform graceful Kathak dance celebrating Diwali in Belper.
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Wednesday 22 October, 4:30pm
Kedleston Hall, Derby
£20, or £10 for young people aged 5 to 17
Derby Season Of Light celebrations begin with ‘Surya’, a special commission Indian Classical dance and music performance inspired by ‘Helios’ a giant sculpture installation by Luke Jerram as part of Kedleston’s Diwali celebrations, combining solar imagery, light and sound to highlight the sun’s intricate details.
Through the Indian classical dance form Odissi, Sowmya Maiya offers a meditative prayer, saluting the sun as a powerful symbol of light, energy, and life. The event also sees a critically acclaimed Indian classical violinist and Ghazal singer, Pt. Kamalbir Singh performing ‘Time Theory of Ragas’ also inspired by ‘Helios’ with accompanied by talented percussionist, Arijit Sen on tabla,. ‘Surya’ is supported by the Arts Council England.
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Derby Lantern Parade27 November 2025, 17:00 – 18:30 St Peter’s Churchyard, Derby DE1 1NN Come with your friends and family and join our annual Derby Lantern Parade, ahead of the city’s Christmas Light Switch On event. Don’t forget to bring your own lanterns but no glass or real flame allowed! This year’s parade theme is ‘Light’ ‘Peace & Friendship’ which reflects a key message behind DSOL of celebrating Derby’s diversity, bringing communities together and making Derby a cohesive city. Parade revelers will be joined by illuminated Christmas themed stilt walkers, Bollywood Bhangra dancers from Surtal Arts and Derby College, Ukranian Hopak dancers from Hoverla dance ensemble, Dhol drummers and Chinese umbrella dancers who will start from from St. Peter’s Church Square. Parade route is short and takes approx 30-40min. The parade then concludes with energetic dance and drumming performances on Christmas Light Switch on Stage, adding colour and dynamism to whole Festive Derby which is organised by Derby LIVE. It’s a great family day out not to be missed! |
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